Caring Hearts Hospice

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Milwaukie, OR
Caring Hearts Hospice

Same day admits and 24/7 live support.

08/03/2026

“My mom doesn’t have cancer or a major disease, she is just getting much weaker. Can she still qualify for hospice?”

The short answer is yes.

While hospice does care for those with specific diagnoses like heart disease or cancer, many of our patients qualify based on a broader condition known as "Adult Failure to Thrive" or general debility. As we age, a combination of smaller conditions can cause a significant, overall decline.

If your loved one is experiencing unintentional weight loss, a sudden increase in sleeping, multiple recent falls, or is no longer able to get dressed or eat without full assistance, they may qualify for our care. You don't need a catastrophic diagnosis to deserve expert comfort, dignity, and support.

07/31/2026

There is a common misconception that when hospice enters a home, all the joy leaves. People often picture dark rooms, whispered voices, and constant sadness.

We are here to tell you: It is okay to laugh. 💛

In fact, we encourage it! When our clinical team successfully manages a patient's physical pain and eases their breathing, a beautiful thing happens—there is finally room for joy again.

Laughter is a vital part of the human experience. Whether it is watching a favorite classic comedy, telling funny family stories, or just sharing a lighthearted moment with our nurses, joy absolutely belongs in end-of-life care. Hospice isn’t just about dying peacefully; it’s about living the days you have left as fully as possible.

07/29/2026

As we head into late July and August, your social media feeds are likely full of friends taking final summer road trips, camping in the Cascades, or heading to the Oregon coast. 🌲🌊

If you are anchored at home caring for a declining loved one, watching the rest of the world go on vacation can trigger a very heavy mix of emotions. You might feel a deep sense of isolation, sadness, and even flashes of resentment—followed immediately by guilt for feeling that way.

We want you to know that those feelings are completely normal, and you are allowed to grieve the summer you thought you were going to have. Caregiving is an incredible sacrifice. If you are feeling overwhelmed this week, please reach out to our Caring Hearts team. We can discuss volunteer visits or respite care to give you a much-needed break.

07/27/2026

“If we start hospice, do I have to throw away all of my loved one's regular prescriptions?” 💊

The short answer is no, but we will do a careful review.

When a patient transitions to hospice, the medical goal shifts entirely to comfort. Our clinical team will sit down with you and review every single pill your loved one takes. We will discontinue medications that are meant to cure or prevent long-term issues (like cholesterol medication or certain vitamins) because at this stage, they often cause upset stomachs and unnecessary side effects.

However, we keep medications that contribute to daily comfort—like certain blood pressure medications that prevent headaches, or daily anxiety prescriptions. We simplify the routine to reduce the burden of swallowing pills, ensuring every medication left on the list serves one purpose: keeping your loved one feeling comfortable today.

07/24/2026

Today is National Parents' Day. For many of the families we serve, this day brings up a complex mix of deep love and heavy grief. 🤍

There is a profound shift that happens when you become the caregiver for the person who once cared for you. Navigating this role reversal—managing their medications, helping with personal care, and making heavy medical decisions—is an incredible act of love, but it is also exhausting and emotionally painful.

To the adult children in our Oregon community who are quietly carrying this weight: We see you. You are doing beautiful work. Our goal at Caring Hearts Hospice is to step in and handle the medical burdens so that you can step back, take a breath, and simply be a daughter or a son again.

07/22/2026

“If we choose hospice, are we giving up hope?” 🤍

This is one of the most painful questions families ask us. The answer is no. When you choose hospice, you aren't giving up hope—you are simply redefining what you are hoping for.

When a cure is no longer medically possible, hope shifts. It becomes the hope for a day entirely free of physical pain. The hope for enough energy to enjoy one more family dinner. The hope for a quiet afternoon sharing stories, rather than another stressful trip to the emergency room.

Hospice is fiercely hopeful. It is the medical pursuit of making today as beautiful, comfortable, and dignified as possible.

07/20/2026

“Why doesn’t hospice use IV fluids when a patient stops drinking?” 💧

It feels counterintuitive. For our entire lives, we are taught that hydration is the key to getting better. But at the end of life, the body's systems naturally slow down and can no longer process large amounts of fluid.

Introducing IV fluids during this transition can actually cause severe physical discomfort. Because the kidneys are shutting down, extra fluid doesn't hydrate the body—it pools in the lungs, causing breathing difficulties, or in the legs, causing painful swelling.

By allowing the body to naturally guide its own hydration, we protect the patient from unnecessary pain. We keep the mouth and lips moist with specialized swabs and ice chips, ensuring total comfort without overloading their system. You are not depriving them; you are allowing their body to transition peacefully.

07/17/2026

Everything feels scarier at 2:00 in the morning. 🌙

For caregivers, the middle of the night can be the most isolating time. If your loved one wakes up with sudden pain, shortness of breath, or agitation, the silence of the house can make the panic feel overwhelming. You might wonder, "Should I call 911? Should I wait until morning?"

With Caring Hearts Hospice, you never have to guess in the dark. We provide true 24/7 on-call support. If a crisis happens at 2:00 AM, you call our local Oregon team. An expert hospice nurse will answer the phone, walk you through exactly what to do, and drive directly to your home if a bedside visit is needed. You are never alone on the night shift.

07/15/2026

Who says you have to wait until December? Happy "Christmas in July"! 🎄☀️

When a loved one is on hospice, the concept of time shifts. Waiting for the calendar to tell you when to celebrate a holiday, a birthday, or a special milestone simply doesn't make sense anymore. If your family wants to put up a Christmas tree in the middle of an Oregon summer, bake holiday cookies, and listen to carols—we say absolutely go for it!

One of our Patients family did this for their loved one, and it meant the world to her.
The family had a wonderful time decorating the tree and celebrating the spirit of Christmas in July.

At Caring Hearts Hospice, our goal is to manage the physical symptoms so you have the freedom and energy to create these beautiful, out-of-the-box memories. Celebrate the moments you have, exactly when you want to celebrate them.

07/09/2026

There is a specific, heavy kind of grief that comes with the changing of the seasons. 🌿

When you are caring for a loved one with a terminal illness, you may find yourself quietly thinking, "This might be our last summer together." You might feel a profound sadness watching the neighborhood go on summer vacations, or looking at the garden you used to plant together.

This is called anticipatory grief. It is the process of mourning a loss before it has fully happened, and it is a completely normal, natural part of the hospice journey. You are not imagining it, and you do not have to push those feelings away.

At Caring Hearts Hospice, our social workers and chaplains are here to help you navigate these complex emotions. We hold a safe space for your sadness, while helping you find beautiful, meaningful ways to cherish the summer days you have right now.

Address

14020 SE Johnson Road Suite 101
Milwaukie, OR
97267

Telephone

+15032525676

Website

http://www.chhospice.com/

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