Approaching The End Of Life: Hospice Care And What To Expect - by Dr. Agapi Ermides

COURSE

Approaching The End Of Life: Hospice Care And What To Expect

With Dr. Agapi Ermides

Welcome to this comprehensive guide on hospice and palliative care. This course is designed to help you navigate end-of-life care with clarity and compassion, offering practical support for you and your loved ones. Please note that this track discusses sensitive topics regarding the end of life. Course Objectives 1. Define hospice and palliative care and explain how they differ 2. Clarify when hospice may be appropriate and how eligibility is determined 3. Explain what hospice provides, including services, levels of care, and limitations 4. Address common misconceptions about hospice 5. Describe the physical changes that occur as the body declines 6. Provide practical guidance on how to support someone at the end of life What You Can Expect 1. Clear, direct explanations without unnecessary medical jargon 2. A structured overview of hospice care and when it is introduced 3. Realistic expectations about what hospice provides and how care is delivered 4. Guidance on what changes may occur as death approaches, including general timelines 5. Practical information to reduce uncertainty and support decision-making


Meet your Teacher

Dr. Agapi Ermides, D.O., is a physician trained in anesthesiology and hospice and palliative medicine, and a former hospice medical director. She currently works in a supportive, role as a non-clinical hospice physician, as well as a part-time death doula, accompanying individuals and families through the end of life. Her work is shaped by years at the bedside, where she has witnessed the realities of dying and the gaps in how it is understood. She teaches about hospice and the dying process with a focus on helping people navigate this stage with less confusion and more intention. She is also a longtime meditation practitioner with a focus on presence.

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4 Days

3 students

5.0 stars

6 min / day

Anxiety

English


Lesson 1

Hospice And Palliative Care Defined And Why This Converstation Matters

This lesson explains why hospice is often introduced late, including gaps in how end-of-life care is discussed in medicine. It defines hospice and palliative care, clarifies how they are related, and addresses common misconceptions, including the belief that hospice means giving up or is a place rather than a model of care.

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Lesson 2

Recognizing When It's Time For Hospice

This lesson outlines how hospice eligibility is determined, including the role of the hospice physician and the nuanced nature of this decision. It reviews common clinical indicators of decline and explains how timing is often uncertain, with differences between medical readiness and emotional readiness.

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Lesson 3

What Hospice Provides, Misconceptions, And Limitations

This lesson explains the structure of hospice care, including the interdisciplinary team, levels of care, and services provided. It also addresses common misconceptions, such as expectations around hospital care and continuous support, and clarifies the limitations of hospice.

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Lesson 4

What To Expect As The Body Declines And How To Support Someone

This lesson describes the physical changes that occur as the body declines, including general timelines and signs of imminent death. It also provides guidance on how to support someone during this time, including the role of presence and understanding changes in nutrition and hydration.

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