February 13th, 2024

2024 Hike For Hope

2024 Hike for Hope Registration is Open Annual fundraiser returns to Del Valle Regional Park, Livermore DUBLIN, CA – Hope Hospice has opened registration for its 2024 Hike for Hope, which will take place on Saturday, May 4, at Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore. Registration remains open through the event day, but interested parties are encouraged to sign up by April 5 to secure access to an Early Bird shirt pickup event, allowing them to skip the pickup line on hike day. Register at TheHikeForHope.com, or call (925) 829-8770 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hope Hospice […]

December 11th, 2023

Dementia-Friendly Holiday Gatherings

The holiday season is a time for joy, togetherness, and celebration, but for individuals living with dementia, it can be challenging and disorienting. Dementia affects the way a person perceives and processes information about their environment. Situations like a houseful of guests, a Christmas tree indoors, and even busy decor around the home can cause confusion for a person experiencing cognitive decline. However, with some thoughtful adaptations, it’s possible to create a more inclusive and enjoyable holiday season for both the person living with dementia and their loved ones. Simplicity is key. Simplify holiday decorations and avoid stimulating visuals. Use […]

November 30th, 2023

Hope Hospice Merger Announcement

By the Bay Health, Mission Hospice & Home Care, and Hope Hospice Merge to Become the Largest Independent Not-for-Profit Hospice Network in Northern California Newly combined organization aims to transform serious illness and end-of-life care with equitable access to high-quality, comprehensive, and integrated services across palliative, hospice, and home health care. LARKSPUR, SAN MATEO, DUBLIN, Calif., November 30, 2023 — By the Bay Health, Mission Hospice & Home Care, and Hope Hospice today announced they will merge to become the largest independent not-for-profit hospice network in Northern California, uniquely positioned to provide compassionate care and impactful community services to more […]

caregiver talking with elderly woman in wheelchair

October 5th, 2023

Toileting Assistance For People With Dementia

As dementia-related diseases progress, incontinence may occur. This can be from forgetting to use the bathroom when one feels the urge to urinate or have a bowel movement, not recalling the bathroom’s location, not being able to get there in time, or not being able to make the cognitive connection that tells one what the bathroom is used for. All these problems are results the of body’s declining brain function—not just memory, but also deterioration in information-processing functions, motor skills, vision, and more. Incontinence usually begins in the late-middle stage of dementia diseases, and it is something many family caregivers […]

photo of two hike participants in green event t-shirts

May 17th, 2023

2023 Hike for Hope Results

2023 Hike for Hope Exceeds Goal With $153k Raised Fundraiser benefits Hope Hospice patient care and community programs DUBLIN, CA – Despite drizzly weather, nearly 850 supporters of Hope Hospice gathered at Del Valle Regional Park on May 6 for the nonprofit organization’s signature Hike for Hope. An impressive 1,174 registrants committed to the fundraiser and helped raise $153,000 for Hope, but late-spring inclement weather deterred some families from attending the hike itself. (The 2022 event had a record-breaking 1,300 registrants and $180,000 in funds raised.) Unprecedented winter storms kept Del Valle Regional Park closed to the public for several […]

May 12th, 2023

Avoiding Caregiver Injuries

Being a caregiver for a frail or bedridden patient requires assisting the person with ambulation, positioning, and transfers. If not performed with great care, these tasks can cause you serious back and neck injuries, and potentially injure the person receiving assistance as well. Muscle strains are common in nursing and caregiving professions, but they can be avoided by taking safety precautions. Preparation Before taking action, review the patient’s plan of care and consider the task at hand. Think about what you are capable of, what assistance you might need, and to what degree the one in your care can assist […]

March 22nd, 2023

The Importance of Self-Care for Caregivers

Anyone who provides substantial care to another person is at high risk of burnout and stress. This is especially true for those who care for people living with dementia because of how unpredictable each day can be. Caregiving is a hard job for family care partners and professionals alike. It is imperative to take stock of one’s mental health and stress level, and to dedicate time to whatever rejuvenates you. Self-care looks different from person to person. For some, it means getting a massage, taking a fitness class, or sitting quietly outside. For others, it’s spending time with loved ones, […]

March 22nd, 2023

Assessing Agitation and Aggression

People who are experiencing cognitive decline may exhibit agitation at times, more so as the underlying disease advances. A person who is agitated may ignore someone who is speaking to them, grunt or have other verbal outbursts, refuse to eat, or resist regular tasks like bathing. Agitation can also present as anxious behaviors, such as pacing and fidgeting. There’s always the chance that a person is simply having an off day. But usually, something in the body, environment, or routine needs to be addressed. When a new behavior is observed, first consider pain that the person may be unable to […]

girl wearing green shirt, 2023 Hike for Hope

January 9th, 2023

2023 Hike for Hope Registration Open

For immediate release: January 9, 2023 Hope Hospice has opened registration for its 2023 Hike for Hope, which will take place on Saturday, May 6, at Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore. Registration remains open through the event day, but interested parties are encouraged to sign up by March 31 for an event T-shirt guarantee. A limited number of event shirts are available to those who register after March 31 on a first come, first served basis. Register at TheHikeForHope.com, or call (925) 829-8770 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hope Hospice is also seeking event sponsors. Various […]

December 21st, 2022

Activities for Dementia Patients

Caregivers need to be creative in planning activities for dementia patients, keeping in mind that what works for one person may not work for another. Know your person and get creative when creating an activity for them. What did they consider to be their identity before the illness took hold? How can you help them to still connect with that piece of themselves, while modifying for their changed abilities? Painting/drawing: Art brings joy to many, but you may need to adjust the method for those whose declining fine motor skills prevent holding brushes and the like. Suggest a theme or […]

December 21st, 2022

Boredom and Dementia Patients

Although a person living with dementia can experience a range of physical deficits, it’s memory issues and cognition changes that stand out the most to caregivers. A person who was once very talkative may now struggle to follow along with a story or get frustrated by word loss when speaking. When conversation becomes challenging, friends and family may be unsure of how to continue fostering the relationship. In fact, it’s common for loved ones to reduce visits to the assisted living facility or stop going altogether as the dementia progresses. They’re likely thinking, She doesn’t recognize me anymore, so there’s […]

December 15th, 2022

Treating Pain in Elderly People

There are special considerations when treating pain in elderly individuals. Older adults are more likely to experience chronic pain due to natural changes and deficits in the body. And yet, their pain commonly goes unreported, misinterpreted, and undertreated. Why is this? Several misconceptions about pain in elderly people exist. Let’s look at a few. Many people—patients themselves and/or their care providers—incorrectly assume that pain is just a part of aging, and it doesn’t need to be seriously considered. Most of us start experiencing regular aches and pains as early as our 40s or 50s. Depending on the frequency of use […]

hospice chaplain talks with male patient

July 22nd, 2022

How can a hospice chaplain support a patient who is not religious?

Hope Hospice chaplains come from diverse pastoral education and personal spiritual backgrounds. This variety equips the team in assisting people from all walks of life. Some patients have specific religious affiliations or spiritual practices. Others have no faith traditions. For the latter, a chaplain can still provide deeply meaningful support during the hospice journey. A simple listening ear or quiet presence at the bedside can help a person find peace. Chaplains don’t try to convert people to a specific path. We witness and honor the path that people find on their own. A chaplain also can engage with a patient to […]

July 21st, 2022

What is Sundowning?

Sundowning is a lay term used to describe a set of symptoms that some people living with dementia experience late in the day. It generally describes a state of increased confusion and anxiety that presents in the afternoon; for some, it extends into nighttime. Common symptoms include aggression, pacing, confusion, wandering, and repetitive behaviors. Some people experience hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, sundowning occurs in as many as 20 percent of those living with Alzheimer’s Disease. Other dementia-related illnesses such as Lewy Body Disease, Fronto-Temporal Dementia, and Vascular Dementia also commonly present sundowning. It is common in middle […]

July 13th, 2022

Why I Volunteer, Phil’s Story

I could feel my face redden as I struggled to read the explicit, steamy passage out loud. I looked up to see Diane* watching me with a smile spreading on her face and a twinkle in her eye, deviously enjoying my discomfort. As our eyes met, we first started giggling then broke out into teary laughs. I had been visiting with Diane for a few months and discovered we both enjoyed reading mystery novels. I got into the habit of reading chapters of our latest novel to her every week, and I think she particularly enjoyed those occasional times when […]

July 12th, 2022

Why You Should Start Hospice Sooner Than Later

Why should someone start hospice sooner than later? Making the decision to start hospice care for your loved one is overwhelming. It means acknowledging that the end is near. But the decision is also empowering, because an array of supportive care and assistance becomes available to both the patient and family. Nursing is just the start. Hope’s hospice program also provides: Social workers to assist with medical paperwork and resources. Home health aides for personal care. Comfort medications delivered to the home. Needed medical equipment, like a mechanized bed for the home. Spiritual care, whether religious/spiritual in nature or a […]

July 6th, 2022

2022 Hike for Hope Results

DUBLIN, CA – The 2022 Hike for Hope on May 14 at Del Valle Regional Park broke both attendance and fundraising records with more than 1,300 registrants and over $180,000 in support raised for Hope Hospice’s patient care and community programs. The prior records were 702 hikers in 2011 and $114,758 in 2018. Kudos to Team Myra Ann’s 75th and Carrie Damschroder, the Top Fundraising Team ($5,175) and Individual ($550), respectively. “We deeply appreciate the support from our East Bay community, especially during these economically challenging times” says Hope’s Director of Philanthropy Marc Rovetti. “Many participants join this event to […]

caregiver applies face lotion to patient

June 30th, 2022

Communication and Caregiving

Communication and caregiving go hand-in-hand. When you talk to the person you are assisting, do they understand you? And do you understand them? When you care for a person who has hearing loss, it’s easy to mistake them for being uninterested or even cognitively slow. However, the reason they are not engaging may simply be because they can’t hear you. A few techniques can help care go smoothly: Stand, sit, or squat so you are at eye level with the person. Keep your face in the light so that your lips and expressions can be seen. Use simple sentences that contain one action or […]

June 29th, 2022

Fall Prevention

Fall prevention is an important topic for caregivers of elderly individuals. Falls are dangerous at any age, but older people are especially prone to injuries for a few reasons. As we age, our bones become less dense, which means a break is more likely to result from a fall. Reduced muscle strength and coordination, too, make it harder to recover from a loss of balance. And if an elderly person is injured from a fall, healing takes much longer than when in youth. That’s why falls are the most common cause of nursing home placement. Many people who fall, even […]

May 25th, 2022

Why I Volunteer, Dan’s Story

Peggy* was in her late eighties and had lost her husband about two weeks before I met her. She and her husband had shared a room in the facility, so understandably, she had just suffered a huge loss. They had been married for a long time, and, when speaking about him, a smile would always appear on her face. It was obvious that they had a very loving marriage. As Peggy and I got to know each other, we shared stories about our lives, and it was amazing how many things we had in common. I told her that I […]

May 18th, 2022

Why I Volunteer, Meg’s Story

Throughout my life, I have volunteered for many organizations. Each experience offered something special: a giving from the heart, a chance to share my time—often just a few hours, sometimes days or weeks. But Hope Hospice is a place that draws me back time and again. From the first day of orientation, I got the sense that I had entered into a relationship that would grow and evolve over time. Hope has embraced that which I have to offer. My gifts have been woven into the fabric that is Hope. I came to Hope after a 30-plus-year career as a […]

February 21st, 2022

I Just Received a Dementia Diagnosis—What Do I Do Next?

Hearing a doctor confirm that the “memory issues” you (or a loved one) have been experiencing is, in fact, early symptoms of dementia would reasonably cause panic. Receiving a dementia diagnosis may send your thoughts to the worst-case scenario, and you might find yourself mentally frozen out of fear. What should you do? How should you prepare? But a dementia diagnosis does not mean that your life is over, nor does it define who you are. It means, however, that there will be challenges and obstacles ahead, not only for you, but for your family and friends. Thinking about those […]

January 11th, 2022

Dementia and Nutrition Concerns

People living with dementia generally do not need to follow a special diet, unless they have co-morbidities or allergies that have certain requirements. However, since dementia is a progressive condition, care providers will need to become increasingly more involved in food preparation and serving relative to the person’s status of decline. By mid-stage, dementia may cause a person to forget to eat or leave them confused about how to use appliances for food preparation. Even under assisted living or full-time care, a person with dementia needs special attention to mealtimes in order to maintain proper nutrition. Vision problems. As we […]

January 11th, 2022

How to Boost Nutrition When Appetite is Poor

Some older adults or otherwise frail individuals struggle with mealtimes due to a lack of appetite. How do you boost nutrition when appetite is poor? Not eating can contribute to unsafe weight loss, malnutrition, and other health problems. Disinterest in food could be caused my something minor, like a side effect of medication. Or, it could be a symptom of something more serious that needs medical attention. After a doctor has ruled out causes for concern, the caregiver can use some simple tactics to boost calorie intake in a healthy way. (Note that for a hospice patient, food and drink should never be forced. The person […]

adult daughter helping elderly father to eat

January 11th, 2022

Challenges With Feeding Elderly Patients

Feeding elderly patients can sometimes be challenging. Changes in cognition, mobility, and energy level might leave a person disinterested in eating. Mealtimes are important because they provide a welcome break in the day. If it is not too distracting for the person in your care, meals can be eaten with friends or family. It is important that mealtimes be enjoyable, so that the person will look forward to eating. Let’s review some best practices for feeding elderly patients. First, create a calm environment. This might mean feeding young children in the home at a different time or location, so that […]

disinfect high-touch surfaces in the home

August 13th, 2021

Infection Control in the Home

Here comes cold and flu season and, yes, we’re still battling the COVID-19 pandemic. If someone in your household is an older adult or has certain underlying medical conditions, then all household members should act as if they are at an increased risk for severe illness and take special precautions. If you don’t, then the effort put toward protection of your sensitive person(s) goes to waste if other residents are careless in public and bring germs back home. Although you can’t live in a bubble, you can practice extra infection-control measures if you live with someone who’s at high risk […]

August 13th, 2021

Helping People With Dementia Understand Infection Prevention

How can we help our loved ones with dementia understand about infection prevention? As the COVID-19 pandemic surges on, you are probably worried about keeping your family safe. If you’re caring for someone who has dementia, explaining the importance of hand hygiene and other prevention protocols can be a challenge. Dementia is not just memory loss; it also affects the brain’s ability to receive and process information. We know at least two parts of the brain are dying. Cells are deteriorating, brain tissue is lost, and the overall size of the brain shrinks. The language center that is located in […]

June 30th, 2021

Home Oxygen Safety Tips

Medical oxygen is prescribed by a doctor at a specific level to treat breathing issues from various disorders, and this therapy can greatly improve one’s quality of life. However, oxygen greatly increases fire risk, so you must exercise great caution when this therapy is used in the home. Oxygen by itself is not a flammable gas and it will not explode, but it reacts violently with combustible materials; if something catches fire, oxygen makes it burn much faster. Using medical oxygen in the home increases the amount of oxygen in all textiles, upholstery, clothing, and hair, making it easy for […]

June 30th, 2021

Caring for Adult Children With Special Needs

Being a caregiver to a family member or other loved one comes with unique considerations. In many cases, the care recipient and care provider live together, leading to a feeling (or reality) of being on-duty 24/7. While caring for an aging loved one can be anticipated as our family members get on in years, some families have unplanned circumstances that leave a child in need of care for the whole of his or her life. Tragedies such as an accident in childhood or condition at birth can inflict an individual with an incurable disabling condition. Maybe the adult child suffers […]

March 12th, 2021

Hospice Social Work in a Pandemic

In honor of Social Work Appreciation Month this March, we celebrate our wonderful social work team. Pandemic prevention measures have changed so much of daily life, and that includes how we deliver hospice services. Most nursing facilities and assisted living communities continue to restrict visits by outsiders, except for medically essential visits or when a patient is actively dying. Social work visits, though certainly essential to the hospice experience, are not classified as medically essential in these COVID-19 times. So, instead of our usual face-to-face interactions, we transitioned to other means of communication in most cases. Social isolation became the […]

An animatronic cat is presented to an elderly man.

January 20th, 2021

Hope Hospice Uses Animatronic Pets to Comfort Isolated Patients

DUBLIN, CA – Hope Hospice is using animatronic pets to help lessen the impact that pandemic-related isolation has had on its patients. Joy for All Companion Pets™ by Ageless Innovation are robotic dog and cat toys designed specifically to comfort older adults in need of companionship; early studies specifically charted the benefits for people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of cognitive decline. The pets are battery powered and, when stroked, become alert and make lifelike noises and small movements. With a generous donation from NorCal Minis car club, Hope Hospice was able to purchase 20 Joy For All […]

January 15th, 2021

Hope Hospice Animatronic Pet Program for Dementia Care

Hope Hospice is using animatronic pets to help lessen the impact that pandemic-related isolation has had on its patients. Joy for All Companion Pets™ by Ageless Innovation are robotic dog and cat toys designed specifically to comfort older adults in need of companionship; early studies specifically charted the benefits for people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of cognitive decline. The pets are battery powered and, when stroked, become alert and make lifelike noises and small movements. With a generous donation from NorCal Minis car club, Hope Hospice was able to purchase 20 Joy For All Companion Pet cats […]

November 23rd, 2020

Caregiving Best Practices: Develop a Support System

I’m the only one my husband trusts to provide care. My family is scattered all over the country — how can they help with care when they’re so far away? No one else can possibly understand what I’m going through. My siblings can’t help me care for our father, but they’re the first to criticize what I’m doing. I don’t trust anyone else to provide care for my mother — they may not do things the way I’d like; I’ll just have to fix the mistakes they make, so I might as well do it myself. I’ve often heard these […]

November 2nd, 2020

The Art of Forgiveness

By Reverend Amina Jessy Wolf Spiritual Care Counselor When I was just starting as a hospice chaplain, I used to ask people I visited whether they had any forgiveness issues. Surprisingly, many people answered this intrusive question. My Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) supervisor, Rev. Doug Lubbers, warned us new residents at St. Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco that we carried a weight of authority into the room when we visited people. He said that we walk into the room, whether we intend to or not, representing God’s presence. People gave us that weight, no matter what their beliefs or […]

elderly asian man in wheelchair outdoors with wife

September 2nd, 2020

Five Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Dementia

Research suggests that leading a healthy lifestyle may help to reduce a person’s risk of developing dementia later in life. The general rule is what’s good for the heart is good for the brain, so both should be well looked after with a balanced diet and regular physical and mental exercise. Much of what’s needed are simple activities you can include in your regular schedule. Remember, it’s never too late to make any of these changes. Below are five ways you can help to reduce your risk of developing dementia: Look after your heart Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, […]

July 23rd, 2020

Dementia and Appetite Decline

Persons living with dementia commonly exhibit challenges with eating, but the reasons vary. Let’s explore a few possible causes of appetite decline. Memory trouble. In the early stages of dementia, when a person may still be caring for himself or functioning with limited assistance, the problem might be simply forgetting to eat. When this problem is discovered, it’s a sign that care partners need to provide more frequent living assistance and check-ins. Vision decline. As we age, we naturally experience a narrowing of our field of vision. For a person living with dementia, this process is on overdrive and it […]

June 15th, 2020

Caregiving Best Practices: Hire In-Home Help

One of the most debilitating aspects of being a care partner is the feeling that you’re in this alone, that no one else is helping you. Having a support team in place is essential for the care of your loved one and critical to your own well-being. Hiring In-Home Help When I was caring for my mother several years ago, it was necessary for me to supplement her care after a hospital discharge. My mom was not happy with this plan—I was the only one she trusted. She did not want any “strangers” coming into her home, and I must […]

June 8th, 2020

Remembering Doris Felton

Hope Hospice lost one of our own last month. Part of our founding team, Doris served as our first manager of bereavement services and defined the framework of our renowned youth grief support program. Following is her obituary, courtesy of the family. Doris Ann Felton Dec. 29, 1932 – May 26, 2020 Pleasanton Doris Ann Felton, age 87, passed away peacefully in Pleasanton on May 26, 2020. Doris was born on December 29, 1932, in McIntosh, South Dakota. She grew up on a cattle ranch outside of McIntosh before going to high school in Bismarck, North Dakota where she met […]

June 2nd, 2020

Does Dementia Impact the Brain’s Emotional Center?

People living with dementia are experiencing deterioration of brain functions. How does dementia impact the brain’s emotional center? The COVID-19 pandemic has caused mass hysteria that has touched all parts of the globe. For some, fear of not knowing when or if society will return to normal is debilitating. Others are amped up about restrictions on personal freedoms and commerce. Even the most cool-headed of us is experiencing uncertainty on some level. Whichever concerns we carry, we are all processing these circumstances the same way: via the brain’s amygdala region, the emotional center. Now, if the average adult is experiencing […]

May 26th, 2020

New Art Program Benefits Hope Hospice Patients

DUBLIN, CA – Hope Hospice invites individuals from our local communities to create and/or donate existing artwork that will be distributed to hospice patients in homes and nursing facilities in the Tri-Valley area and neighboring East Bay cities. “When a person is facing the end of his or her journey on this Earth, the patient and family experience a range of emotions that vary from day to day,” says Nikki Tildesley, Hope’s Manager of Volunteer Services. “Our volunteers play a significant role supporting support the patient and family in whatever ways are needed. Often, it’s just being a comforting presence […]