Not Feeling Too Festive?

The holidays, for some, bring cheer and hope of fresh beginnings as the calendar turns; for others, they are a reminder of loss and loneliness. In 2020, we have all been affected by loss in some way: meeting across screens rather than tables, faces obstructed by masks in public, and togetherness—or lack thereof—defined by a global health crisis. Continue reading

What is Spiritual Care?

As part of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month this November, RVNAhealth has celebrated the work of our multi-disciplinary Hospice team. In addition to expert medical professionals, our Hospice team includes social workers, care managers, musical therapists, bereavement and spiritual care experts, and volunteers. Here, we explore the role of spiritual care.Continue reading

A Primer on Palliative Care

November is Hospice and Palliative Care month. And while palliative and hospice care share a kindred approach and certain commonalities, they are also distinct and independent practices. There are approximately 90 million people living with a serious illness in the U.S., and it is estimated that 6 million could benefit from palliative care. So what is palliative care? Continue reading

Happily Ever Onward

Pat Larson (center) celebrates being declared free of COVID-19 with her RVNAhealth ComfortWELL nurses Anne Felizardo, LPN, and Christine Palmer, RN, BSN.
Pat is one of the happier stories to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic. She was considered to be at high risk for severe illness from the virus, so our hospice services were recommended to care for her. Continue reading

Oh, What a Difference a Haircut Makes!

RVNAhealth hospice patients Felix and Giuseppe found themselves desperately in need of a trim during the COVID-19 pandemic. Enter the RVNAhealth wishes program, which works to grant hospice patients their special wishes, both small and big. Continue reading

Caring for the Front Line

A collage of four RVNAhealth front line employees wearing their personal protective masks
for the professionals who have spent their days and nights caring for COVID-19 patients, on top of their own loved ones, grief and stress can run strong. RVNAhealth Hospice Social Worker Jana Wu, LCSW, LADC, leads support groups to help front-line workers navigate their feelings and dedicate a little time to themselves. .Continue reading