In the world of palliative care, providers frequently navigate the complexities of neurocognitive decline. Subtle shifts in memory, behavior, and function often raise the question: is this dementia, delirium, or simply the “normal aging brain”? Among the many tools available, the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) remains one of the most
Palliative medicine, once seen as a niche field, has now become an essential component of healthcare, focusing on providing relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of serious illnesses. As the global population ages and the burden of chronic diseases continues to rise, palliative care has gained prominence, emphasizing holistic,
In the nuanced world of post-cardiac care, one key metric often serves as the bridge between clinical recovery and functional reintegration: the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET). This standardized measure of energy expenditure empowers healthcare providers to assess the intensity of physical activities, customize rehabilitation protocols, and predict patient
Opioids remain the cornerstone of symptom relief in hospice and palliative care, especially for pain and dyspnea. However, navigating reported "allergies" to opioids—particularly morphine and codeine—can pose significant challenges. In an already complex clinical landscape, these allergy labels can lead to under-treatment of distressing symptoms,
As palliative care continues to evolve with an emphasis on quality of life, comfort, and symptom control, the incorporation of precision medicine tools like pharmacogenomics (PGx) offers promising benefits. Pharmacogenomics, the study of how a patient’s genetic makeup influences their response to medications, can serve as a powerful ally
In palliative medicine, attention to genitourinary symptoms is often overshadowed by more pressing issues such as pain, dyspnea, or existential distress. Yet lower urinary tract dysfunction—particularly the confusing coexistence of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms and urinary retention—is both common and under-recognized, especially in older adults with complex
March is Kidney Awareness Month, a time often focused on prevention, early detection, and life-sustaining treatments like dialysis. These conversations are important—and incomplete. Missing too often is space for an equally valid, deeply human decision: the decision to stop dialysis. For many people living with advanced kidney disease,
We spend a great deal of time helping patients in maintaining stability—physically, emotionally, and socially. For individuals living with dementia, stability is more than a comfort; it is a lifeline. Disrupting it—especially through relocation—can carry significant clinical and emotional risks. Whether moving from home to a facility,
In palliative and hospice medicine, opioids remain the cornerstone of pain and symptom management. Morphine, codeine, hydromorphone, oxycodone, and other agents provide profound relief from pain, dyspnea, and certain distressing symptoms at the end of life. Yet, many patients arrive with their medical record littered with “opioid allergy” labels. These
As the hospice community deepens its commitment to equity and trauma-informed care, clinicians are increasingly caring for individuals who have experienced incarceration. These patients bring with them a lifetime of medical, psychological, and existential burdens shaped not only by disease, but by the enduring imprint of trauma, stigma, and
Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) are state-run electronic databases that track controlled substance prescribing and dispensing. While they were originally designed as a tool to combat the opioid epidemic, PDMPs are now an expected part of safe, compliant medical practice in nearly every setting—including palliative care and hospice.
Smiling is one of the most basic human expressions, universally recognized and deeply tied to emotion, social connection, and quality of life. In the palliative and hospice setting, providers often witness the gradual fading of a patient’s ability to smile. While at first glance this may seem like a
