A self-care plan for hospice workers

Abstract

Caring for dying patients and their families is a fulfilling, enriching, and meaningful experience. It can also be extremely stressful. Maintaining the balance between the output and input of energy in a caregiver’s professional and personal life is an ongoing process. Clinical staff members often formulate plans of care for patients. To prevent worker burnout, hospice caregivers must develop a plan of self-care to balance their own needs with the needs of their patients.

The goal of this article is to provide an overview of ways for hospice care-givers to relieve stress and develop an individualized self-care plan within the context of their work.