Genus Patris Hospice

Happy International Day of Happiness! Today, we celebrate the joy and beauty of life, even in the face of difficult times. At Genus Patris Hospice, we believe that happiness is an essential part of quality end-of-life care. We strive to create a positive and peaceful environment for our patients, filled with love, compassion, and laughter. Let's take a moment to appreciate the little things that bring us happiness and make our lives meaningful. What brings you joy today? Share with us in the comments below!

March is National Social Work Month, and we want to take a moment to recognize and thank our amazing hospice social workers for their dedication and compassion. Your support and advocacy make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families every day.

Thank you to our amazing team of hospice professionals for all that you do to make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families. Your dedication and compassion are truly inspiring.

As we enter the spring season, we’re reminded of the beauty of new beginnings and the importance of cherishing each moment. At Genus Patris Hospice, we’re committed to helping our patients find comfort, peace, and joy. Let’s embrace the beauty of life.

Genus Patris Hospice & Pantha were very glad to have been invited to participate in the Brazos Tower at Bayou Manner Parade of Tree's!

It's so hard so hard to say goodbye to Christmas 2022 :-)...so just a few pics to tide you over...Genus Patris, Zaida and the Santa Babies were honored to participate in the West Oaks Nursing and Rehabilition Center staff and resident Holiday Party. Looking forward to Christmas 2023...just 344 days to go!!!

Thank you, Judy J. for sharing these beautiful and adorable pics as part of our "still life" program!

HOLIDAYS, LOSS & LIVING...
The holidays can be joyous and filled with celebration. For those who are experiencing grief or loss however, the holidays may be tinged with some sadness and anticipatory grief. We hope this short article may offer some commonsense guidance to help navigate loss and expand on moments of reflection and warm memories during this holiday season.
https://genuspatrishospice.com/holidays-loss-and-living/

Coming back home from Thanksgiving Holiday in Hot Springs...Mist on the Mountain...
The foliage reminds me of my first electric train set I received as a child, with the vivid browns and greens of the "trees" and the little telephone poles that I would set-up beside the track and on top of the "mountain" that were part of the model scape.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

Our "Still Life" program has been received so well by our patients and their families; bringing the scenes and celebrations of life into the homes and places of care, that sometimes those with a chronic illness may not be able to get out and see as often as they would like...

Hot Springs, AR with the family…
Coming back from a late lunch yesterday and we saw a deer in front of us in a bend in road. So, we slowed down and took a picture. One of my nieces (who is in the third grade and wise beyond her years) from the backseat of the car says, " there's a deer". I say, “I know I see the deer, it’s right in front of us". Out of the mouth of babes she states in exasperation "you’re not listening to me Uncle Mike, it’s right there". I tell her again "I see the…."...oh wait she meant another deer. The one that was so close it looked like it was about to open the door and jump in the car with us 😊

Genus Patris Hospice would like to wish those we care for, their families & friends, as well as our amazing staff a Happy Thanksgiving. We are honored and blessed to be a part of your life!

Remembering our Veterans every day! Taking cakes and treats to our patients who are on hospice and palliative care...It's the very least we can do...Thank you for your service!

Rocky Mountain National Park is gorgeous today! 😍
⛰️🍂🌲✨️👀

Click pic to see all the colors 😉
Photo Credit: Tami Roberts

Taking Care of Yourself, Is Also Taking Care of Your Loved One…
Respite Care Services

The emotional, spiritual, and physical fatigue that often accompanies the caregiving role for those who attend to a loved one with a terminal illness may often times be overlooked, or sometimes minimized by the caregiver themselves. Helping these individuals or family units to recognize when a “pause” in the caregiving role is needed, or even planning in advance for a temporary break, called Respite Care, is one of the many benefits that a hospice organization can provide.

Under Respite Care, a loved one can be a short-term guest at an inpatient skilled nursing or other care facility. This provides an opportunity for the primary family caregiver to get some much-needed rest; an opportunity to renew their energy and spirit and regain perspective. Respite care can also afford the caregiver / family an opportunity to complete any needed travel, and offers just general time away, knowing that their loved one is being well cared for and well cared for.

During the Holidays...
As much as we want our loved ones with us during the Holiday’s, often, due to their medical condition, travel is just not possible, or not advised for those with a terminal condition. Many times, adding to the hospice patients stress and anxiety is seeing their family caregiver missing opportunities to spend time with family or friends during the Holiday Season. Respite Care can be an ideal solution that allows the caregiver to do the following:
• Travel for a few days during the Holiday Season
• Come back home with wonderful photo’s / video’s / memories
to share
Additionally, for some patients, dependent on their illness, either the change of environments or introduction of a crowd of people into their environment might be problematic (Alzheimer’s Disease & dementia; behavioral health) or cause an acute exacerbation of their disease process (COPD). So perhaps even if the caregiver is not traveling out of town, in-patient respite placement for a few days might be the most mentally and physically healthy option for their loved one, as well as the caregiver.

Care Team...
Respite Care is covered by MCR under a patient’s hospice benefit and can be used up to 5 consecutive days during each billing period. The Respite / Hospice care team includes the Physician, RN, LVN, Nursing Assistant, Social Worker, Chaplain, and other team members as indicated.

In order to care for our loved ones, we must also take care of ourselves. This requires proper nutrition, rest, relaxation, mental and spiritual health.

Genus Patris Hospice is here to help, providing CARE. COMFORT. SUPPORT. If you would like more information regarding our Respite Care Services or other Hospice & Palliative Care Information, please call 713-665-8200 or visit our website at: https://genuspatrishospice.com/

Mike Adams, BS, RRT, CDCM, CDP- Chief Marketing Officer
Genus Patris Hospice

Genus Patris Hospice – Genus Patris Hospice – Compassionate Palliative and Hospice Care Genus Patris has over 30 years of combined clinical and caregiving experience. When it’s time to consider hospice services, we are here for you.

Sometimes it's difficult for our patients to go outside and enjoy the sunshine and enjoy the everyday walks of life that we take for granted. One of the programs that Gensus Patris offers is our Still Life Program. It's seems so simple, but our staff is encouraged to take photos of their events and surroundings and share those with our patients so that that they too can enjoy a little be of normalcy and the beauty that mother nature has to offer.

WORLD ALZHEIMER’S DAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2022
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

Mike Gaona-Adams BLA, RRT, CDP, CADDCT, CDCM
Chief Marketing Officer-Genus Patris Hospice

As we already begin to look toward the end of the year… Halloween and Thanksgiving Day decorations going on display in the stores. Can you believe it?!? 2022 has been for most people, to say the least, a year we will remember, or for some a year they would like to forget. We have been witness to national and global events such as when, as a nation, we began to overcome COVID-19 (fingers & hearts crossed). However also a year we witnessed two sovereign nations go to war. Perhaps more personal memories for you will be that 2022 was when you welcomed a child or grandchild into this world, or another taking that first step into adulthood and heading off to college. But for so many around the world these types of memories are fleeting at best, and incomprehensible at a certain point related to their struggle and daily journey of living with memory impairment related to Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia.

To bring attention and awareness to those who struggle with memory impairment, September 21st, 2022, was deemed World Alzheimer’s Day,. A day to pause and recognize those individuals and their families, as well as the many caregivers, healthcare professionals and researchers who live with or work to improve the lives of those who persevere with this disease.

HISTORY OF ALZHEIMER’S / WORLD ALZHEIMER’S DAY
• Alzheimer’s Disease was first named in 1901 for Dr. Alois Alzheimer who discovered the disease
• World Alzheimer’s Day was first established in 1994 by Alzheimer’s Disease International, the international foundation of the Alzheimer's Association.

Alzheimer’s Disease, the most predominant form of dementia (50%-75%) is diagnosed every 72 seconds…every 72 seconds! And one in 10 people over the age of 65 will be diagnosed with dementia…1 in 10!

Alzheimer’s Disease is progressive and early on can be managed with subtle ques and reminders, but over time will continue to impact a person’s ability to recall not just events, but their ability to complete activites of daily living such as cooking, bathing and other task that allow for independent living (alz.org 2022). As part of the effort to bring awareness to this disease, for which currently there is not cure, World Alzheimer’s Day was established.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Alzheimer’s Diseases and Dementia is often discounted as a person simply being “senile” or “forgetful”. While there is certainly some general slowing in our responses as we age, significant memory loss is not part of the normal aging process.

Sign & Symptom of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia may include
• Person starts to forget recent events, people’s names / faces and understanding routine dialogue
• Becomes confused when interacting, managing financial transactions, or operating
Motor vehicle
• Personality changes, appearing to no longer care about those around them
• Experience mood swings or labile emotions such as crying or laughing for no reason or
out of proportion to the event

As the disease progresses, individuals may:
• Exhibit new or different behaviors, such as nocturnal wondering, or getting lost in their
own home or neighborhood
• Inhibition loss and exhibiting of inappropriate behaviors

TREATMENT & SUPPORT
While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia, there are treatment and support options available. Medications to help slow the progression of symptoms have shown favorable results in the early stages of the disease process, and clinical trials related to cures and more effective treatments continue. Researchers agree that a breakthrough could happen at any time (Adi 2022). We must keep hope alive.

Treatment options include:
• Medications in the classification of dugs calls cholinesterase inhibitors such as Aricept, Razadyne ,Gatalin and others
• NMDA receptor antagonist such as Ebixa, Axurta or Namenda
• Alternative treatment and medication such as vitamins and non-traditional therapeutic modalities
• Anti-anxiety / psychotropic medications to reduce
secondary behavioral manifestations
• Structured programming and memory care facilities to enhance cognitive-stimulation
and medical / psychosocial management
• Palliative / Hospice Care to enhance support / nursing / spiritual holistic services for the patient and family

SUPPORT & RESOURCES
Alzheimer’s Disease is often referred to as the “long goodbye” , as secondary to any other life limiting conditions, this disease can be hard to endure, not just for the patient but for the family. Witnessing a loved one slowly lose the ability to meaningfully participate and interact over an extended period can be physically and mentally draining. Support, patience, and understanding is so important for the family caregiver. They may not always recognize when they have reached a point where they should ask for help, or when it may be time for additional medical or inpatient interventions, even on a temporary basis. If you or a friend or family member may be struggling to care someone with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia, it’s ok to ask for help. Please reach out to your primary care giver, church groups, local mental health clinical or Alzheimer’s Organizations.

Resources and organizations can help to direct and provide access to these support systems and groups. For more information please visit: Events | Alzheimer's Association or call the main number list on the sponsoring website.

Every 72 seconds someone in America develops Alzheimer’s. (n.d.). Retrieved September 10, 2022, fromhttps://www.alz.org/national/documents/report_2007factsandfigures.pdf

Adi - About Us. Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI). (n.d.). Retrieved September 10, 2022, from https://www.alzint.org/about-us/

Adi - caring for someone with dementia. Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI). (n.d.). Retrieved September 10, 2022, from https://www.alzint.org/about/caring-for-someone-with-dementia/

www.alz.org

Genus Patris Hospice (Latin for “Kind Father”) is locally owned
and operated and was started after the company founder navigated the hospice caregiving journey with her father. She wanted to ensure that patients and families had an opportunity to experience this process with grace, dignity and compassion, and in doing so named it in his honor.

Genus Patris has over 30 years of combined clinical and caregiving experience. When it’s time to consider hospice services, we are here, offering CARE.COMFORT.SUPPORT