We know that caring for a loved one at home can be an exhausting and sometimes frightening job.

We also know that most people with advanced illness want to be cared for at home by their family. Valley Hospice Patient Care Teams help make that possible by teaching caregivers how to provide most of the care.

We understand that what people really need in the final stage of life is comfort, dignity, and meaning.

Our nurses work with your doctor to provide state-of-the-art pain and symptom control. We also provide respite and crisis care. RNs and Physicans are on call for emergencies, 24 hours a day, every day.

We honor the wishes of patients who want to be protected from repeated trips to the emergency room and uncomfortable and futile care in the intensive care unit.

We offer something much better: quality time at home with family and friends—time to celebrate a life lived and to prepare for a peaceful death with dignity.

Our “Dove Book” was designed by our staff to serve as a “security blanket” for courageous and loving caregivers. It contains over 100 pages loaded with information to help family caregivers become true partners in care, our “Dove Book” addresses the needs of body, mind and spirit for both patients and caregivers.

We hope this “free sample” will be helpful to you and encourage you to call us for more information about how we can help you care for your loved one at home.

Saddness, anger, and worry are common emotions among caregivers.

One in five Americans is providing care for a loved one. Most caregivers have jobs and families to raise.

Surveys show that most caregivers feel that they don't get enough help from other family members, the health care system, or society at large.

For many, caregiving can last up to five years. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and we believe that caregivers need all the support you can get.

Burnout and breakdown can make it difficult to give the care you want your loved one to have.

It’s more often what you think or how you feel about the situation, rather than the actual circumstances, that may cause you distress.

If you find yourself thinking:
"I don’t want to feel sad because it will make me depressed."

It's OK to express your sadness to someone you trust. It helps most people, relieves tension, and lowers your risk of depression.

If you find yourself thinking:
"What do I have to feel sad about when I’m not the one who is disabled?"

Remember: one person’s suffering never cancels out the suffering of another.

If you find yourself thinking:
"If I express sadness, my loved one will feel worse."

Sadness is normal and even helpful. You have a right to feel sad. If you can accept and express your sadness, you will be less likely to burn out.

Adapted from: Always On Call: When Illness Turns Families into Caregivers Carol Levine, ed.

Would it make you feel better to know...

Anger is a normal reaction that should be expected by caregivers.

Here's some advice:

• Try to cool off a little before sharing your anger with others.
• Avoid blame—don’t put the patient, other family members, or your doctor on the defensive.
• Direct your anger at the disease, not the patient.
• Hold family meetings explore, how they can help you.
• Ask your congregation for help from support groups or to approach your neighbors for support if you're too shy to ask.
• See your doctor or a counselor for some assertiveness training:
• Learn how to direct anger constructively to increase your sense of control.
• Learn how to channel your anger to advocate on behalf of the patient with your insurance company.
• Write a letter to the editor!

Worry is another common emotion among caregivers. It can be the cause of anger!

Caregivers often develop a constant fear of change.

Getting some reassurance from your doctor or his/her staff can be one of the best ways to relieve your worry and anxiety.

If the doctor would not be surprised if the patient might die within the next six months, ask for a referral to hospice.

A hospice nurse can visit you in the privacy of your home and explain to you when will be the right time to have hospice come to help you.

Both patient and family caregiver can benefit from the hospice team’s comprehensive emotional and spiritual support.

For more information, call us toll free: 1.877.284.4441