Are you ready for end of life decisions with your family and loved ones?
These are important discussions to have well before issues arise. Too often health care providers see the chaos that lack of planning can have on families, and the unnecessary stress it can place on caregivers and relationships.
Hospice differs from other medical approaches in that the main focus is not on curing, but rather in providing comfort for a patient whose health condition is considered terminal or unlikely to be cured. Hospice patients receive compassionate individualized care based on physical, emotional and spiritual needs for what is expected to be the last six months or less of life.
Similar to hospice, palliative care focuses on the patient’s quality of life rather than trying to cure the underlying health condition. The goal of palliative care is to manage pain and symptoms. Hospice is palliative care, but not all palliative care is hospice.
Naturopathic doctors are an integral part of a large end-of-life patient support team made up doctors, nurses, hospice aids, social workers and clergy who each provide compassionate care addressing different physical, emotional or spiritual needs.
Brad Lichtenstein, ND, BCB-HRV
Brad Lichtenstein, ND, BCB-HRV
Graduate and Professor, Bastyr University
Brad Lichtenstein, ND, BCB-HRV
Graduate and Professor, Bastyr University
Samantha Edwards, ND, FABNO, LDN
Samantha Edwards, ND, FABNO, LDN
Graduate, National University of Health Sciences
Samantha Edwards, ND, FABNO, LDN
Graduate, National University of Health Sciences
Stephanie Kaplan, ND
Stephanie Kaplan, ND
Graduate, National University of Natural Medicine
Stephanie Kaplan, ND
Graduate, National University of Natural Medicine
Nasha Winters, ND, FABNO, LAc, Dipl.OM
- Presence – Being available to listen and to lean in to the difficult conversations and moments.
- Homeopathy – Pain, anxiety, delirium, fluid build-up in the lungs, constipation – often related to the dying process, but also the medication side effects often used for palliation, respond well to these easy remedies and are invaluable for end of life care.
- Acupuncture and tui na – Between touch and the manipulation of the conductance and resistance of energy flow in the body, acupuncture and body work can offer much physical and emotional pain relief, but also emotional.
Nasha Winters, ND, FABNO, LAc, Dipl.OM
Nasha Winters, ND, FABNO, LAc, Dipl.OM
Paul Theriault, ND
Paul Theriault, ND
Paul Theriault, ND
The Naturopathic Toolkit
Naturopathic doctors share their favorite tools for hospice and palliative care
Nasha Winters, ND, FABNO, LAc, Dipl.OM
- Presence – Being available to listen and to lean in to the difficult conversations and moments.
- Homeopathy – Pain, anxiety, delirium, fluid build-up in the lungs, constipation – often related to the dying process, but also the medication side effects often used for palliation, respond well to these easy remedies and are invaluable for end of life care.
- Acupuncture and tui na – Between touch and the manipulation of the conductance and resistance of energy flow in the body, acupuncture and body work can offer much physical and emotional pain relief, but also emotional.
Nasha Winters, ND, FABNO, LAc, Dipl.OM
Nasha Winters, ND, FABNO, LAc, Dipl.OM
Samantha Edwards, ND, FABNO, LDN
Samantha Edwards, ND, FABNO, LDN
Graduate, National University of Health Sciences
Samantha Edwards, ND, FABNO, LDN
Graduate, National University of Health Sciences
Stephanie Kaplan, ND
Stephanie Kaplan, ND
Graduate, National University of Natural Medicine
Stephanie Kaplan, ND
Graduate, National University of Natural Medicine
Brad Lichtenstein, ND, BCB-HRV
Brad Lichtenstein, ND, BCB-HRV
Graduate and Professor, Bastyr University
Brad Lichtenstein, ND, BCB-HRV
Graduate and Professor, Bastyr University
Naturopathic doctor shares a patient story
Nasha Winters, ND, FABNO, LAc, Dipl.OM
Nasha Winters, ND, FABNO, LAc, Dipl.OM
Nasha Winters, ND, FABNO, LAc, Dipl.OM
Resources for patients and loved ones
Naturopathic doctors provide comfort and support for patients and their loved ones
Death is a natural part of a life, though it may often be met with resistance and denial. Hospice provides education on the dying process and support services such as grief and bereavement counseling for loved ones. Another resource are Death Cafes – free gatherings in which people from all walks of life gather to discuss death in an open and supportive environment. By addressing and preparing yourself for the inevitable you may live your life to the fullest today.
Stephanie Kaplan, ND
Dying is an opportunity for us to tend to what has been left undone. With support and guidance, we can forgive, apologize, be forgiven, rejoice, and express our love. We can lean in when we have nothing to lose. Each death is as individual as each life; while we cannot predict, we can prepare.
Stephanie Kaplan, ND
Graduate, National University of Natural Medicine
Stephanie Kaplan, ND
Graduate, National University of Natural Medicine
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