ppt hosp patients and pets - homecareinformation.net · hospice patients and their pets plan of...
TRANSCRIPT
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Dawn Jelley RN CHPN
Hospice Patients And Their Pets
Plan of CareWho and What Matters to the Patient?
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Planning for Pet Care
End of life personal care included two cats and a dog
� Identify challenges of hospice patients’ needs in regard to their pets
� Describe anticipatory and disenfranchised grief regarding the hospice patient and their pet
� Identify two areas of preparation specific to a hospice patient with a pet
� Describe hospice pet situations and options for improved outcomes
Objectives
Challenges of Hospice Patients and Their Pets
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The secret to connecting with Millie was through her dog Lil Bit
As patients decline:
Increased withdrawing from relationships
Increased bonding with pets…Why?
� Don’t judge
� Don’t talk
� Warm
� Comforting (research shows pets decrease BP)
= increased anxiety in concern for the future
Pets and Grief
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Understanding
She UnderstoodWithout words or gesturesWhen others wanted to look away
She understood the need for sleepCompanyReassuranceTouchSpace
She stayed there Until the endWhen the undertaker lifted her from his sideHer name is SabrinaThe cat
Dawn Jelley
Anticipatory grief refers to a grief reaction that occurs before an impending loss
Disenfranchised grief is grief that is not acknowledged by society
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Feelings of Loss – Support from Pets
� Sadness
� Anger
� Grief
� Relief
� Guilt
� Depression
� Shock
� Confusion
Near Death Awareness – A Story
Planning for Hospice Patient’s Pet Care
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Planning for Pet Care
You have an elderly hospice patient living alone with a small dog.
What are her concerns for her long-time companion?
� Daily care needs
� At an emergency
� Who will care for the dog after she (the patient) dies?
What are your concerns for the patient?
� Importance of companionship and emotional support
from the pet; reduces anxiety and increases sense of
security
� Falls risk?
� Infection control?
� Risk of medicine falling on the floor
Practical Plans for the Patient
Emergency Planning
FEMA
Animals in Emergencies for Owners video
www.fema.gov
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Emergency Planning
Where will you evacuate to?ShelterMotelFamilyFriend
How will you your pet get there?Make sure you have a secure pet carrier, leash or harness for your pet so that if he panics, he can't escape.
Banfield Charitable Trust
www.Banfieldcharitabletrust.org
� Pet Peace of Mind (PPOM) helps:
� Nonprofit hospices keep patients and their pets together during the end-of-life journey.
� Find adoptive homes for pets, giving patients peace of mind that their pets will always have loving homes.
Banfield Charitable Trust
Training includes:� Pet peace of mind coordinators
� Marketing and Fundraising materials
� Training modules for volunteers and staff
� Ongoing support
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Banfield Charitable Trust
Funding should be used for:� Pet food and supplies
� Grooming
� Veterinary care
Considerations
� Hospice Patient needs placement:� Hospice House
� Nursing Home
� Visitation
� Rabies certificate
� Safety for other residents
� Safety for staff
Planning For After Death
Best Friends Animal Society
http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/pdf/
howtofindhomesforpets.pdf
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Planning For After Death
� Get out there� Make a flyer
� Contact shelters and groups
� Pet finder
� Breed rescues
Planning For After Death
Resources for the Caregiver:
�Classified adds
�Adoption websites
�Community contacts� Family/friends
� Word of mouth
Planning For After Death
The family/caregiver prepares the pet for adoption:
o Medical records/history
o Spay/neuter
o Vaccinations of pet
o Bathe/groom
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Planning For After Death
Potential Adopters� Interview (adoption screeners worksheet)
� Do you have other pets
� Have you owned a pet before
� Do you have children
� What kind of house
� Dog – fenced in yard/exercise plan
� Cat – indoor/ outdoor
Boundaries
Social Worker Francine returned home after visiting hospice patient Erwin and she was sure that she had room for one more cat
Funeral Plans
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Closure For The Pet
What is your pet story?
Why it matters?
You can't change the world for all animals but for this one animal you now have the tools to make a world of difference
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What do you learn from your pets about living and dying?
What have you learned from hospice for when your pets are seriously ill and dying?
Resources
• http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/pdf/howtofindhomesforpets.pdf
• www.Banfieldcharitabletrust.org
• www.fema.gov