Journal of palliative medicine
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Hypoglycemia can be both an uncomfortable symptom and a life-limiting condition. In patients with altered mental status who have a fair to good functional capacity, this could significantly detract from their ability to enjoy life. There are a variety of treatment options, including corrective action and management of the side effects of the adrenergic discharge that should be considered, as long as they are consistent with the patient’s goals of care and comfort.
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Many older adults in nursing homes (NHs) lack palliative care (PC) access; but little is known about whether access to PC knowledge and practice (beyond hospice) impacts residents' care. ⋯ Policies and advocacy promoting the development of NH PC knowledge and practices could potentially improve care and reduce hospital and ER use.
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Predicting when burdensome symptoms will arise or worsen is important to preserving quality of life in patients with serious illness. ⋯ Bothersome symptoms change as patients' performance status worsens. Using performance status as a common language, both medical professionals and informal caregivers can monitor impending changes in symptom burden. This should inform development of community-based delivery systems to detect and manage distress in patients with palliative care needs.