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About Christine Johnson
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I can give suggestions, encouragement and direction on what hospice is and is not, when it is appropriate, and how to go about getting it. I am familiar with Medicaid and Medicare hospice benefits. I can answer general questions about disease process, what dying looks like, how hospice handles pain and other symptoms, what to expect from a hospice when end of life nears. I can provide support, direction and encouragement related to spiritual matters and psychological matters related to death and dying.

Experience
I am a certified hospice and palliative care nurse, and have been the director of nurses for three hospice centers, under two different companies. I have also worked as a contract hospice nurse for a large American hospice company. On a personal level, my father died without benefit of hospice (it was not popular then). I have taken care of dying patients in hospitals and recognize that for most of us, it is preferable to die at home (or in our residence, wherever that may be), comfortably and without anxiety. Also I had no support when my father died; hospice clients are the whole family (however that is defined by the "patient"), and support is provided at least a year after the patient passes. These are the sorts of things (and probably others) that I can help with.

Organizations
HPNA (Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association)

Publications
none yet

Education/Credentials
Registered Nurse (TX), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (TX) ADN Nursing, Excelsior College, Albany, New York (2004) 4.0 GPA BA, Psychology (minor Social Work), Oklahoma University, Norman, OK (1986) 3.67 GPA MHR (MA) Human Relations, Oklahoma University, Norman, OK (1988) 3.5 GPA

Awards and Honors
Phi Beta Kappa (and others)

Past/Present Clients
Unable to name as this would violate their privacy (and HIPAA....)

You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Death and Dying > Hospice Care

Questions Answered By Expert Christine Johnson
In Category Hospice Care

Subject	Date Asked

post-mortem	10/4/2008
Q: Do I have the right to refuse a post-mortem/autopsy on my own body? A: In truth, your question lies outside the realm of "hospice care," but I know something about what ...
Palliative Care to Hospice Care	10/3/2008
Q: My 71 year old father is currently receiving palliative care at a nursing home for end stage liver ... A: If your Dad is receiving palliative care only, there should be no change in his care when and if you ...
BRAIN TUMOR	9/28/2008
Q: My brother-in-law has a brain tumor grade 4 and it is inopertable. His diagnoses was 7 months ago ... A: This is a complicated place for you to be in. How much you must love your family to reach out about ...
BRAIN TUMOR	9/26/2008
Q: My brother-in-law has a brain tumor grade 4 and it is inopertable. His diagnoses was 7 months ago ... A: You have here a perfect example of why people should not give estimates as to how long someone "has" ...
Home Hospice w/ Ventilation	9/24/2008
Q: My mother has ALS and had a Traech last wed due to breathing problems. thursday looked promising ... A: Probably the saddest thing about ALS is the person is very aware of deterioration as it progresses. ...
death and dying	7/24/2008
Q: My mother has been under hospice care for about 3 months. I have noticed that she is now tired all ... A: Certainly being tired a lot, and gradually more tired, can be a symptom of decline. Being eligible ...
Two family members in the bind	7/15/2008
Q: My mother-in-law had 2 malignant tumors removed (one in her descent colon and one in her appendix) ... A: You have certainly had a lot to deal with these past few months or so. I am moved that much of your ...
dying	4/20/2008
Q: My aunt with whom I have been very close is dying of cancer how can I help to ease her pain. She is ... A: First let me say how sorry I am that your aunt is so ill, and how happy I am to know that she has ...
hospice? already?	3/6/2008
Q: my mother in law was diagnosed in Sept 07 with colon cancer and had surgery to remove in Dec. Had a ... A: It is always difficult, and full of all kinds of emotions. I will honestly tell you that I read ...
Morphine drip and dying	1/29/2008
Q: A few hours ago I sent you a question regarding my mother who was on a morphine drip when she died. ... A: Rachel--I don't have any way to communicate with you except through the Allexperts website, so I ...
Dying on morphine drip	1/29/2008
Q: You mention in your write up that you can tell us what dying is like. I was wondering if you could ... A: Your question sent me back to my profile. I could not believe I would have written that I could ...
Post Mortem Changes	12/11/2007
Q: My husband's eyes were brown/green while he was alive and when he was dead they became blue. I have ... A: First, I am sorry you have lost your husband. Please accept my sympathies. My area of expertise is ...
Death	11/28/2007
Q: My brother passed on Monday, November 26, 2007. I am a Roman Catholic but my brother was a member of ... A: First let me offer my condolences. Next let me say that this is outside my role as expert on this ...
Aging mother	10/17/2007
Q: My mother is 102. She is in pain, but can't and will not go to a doctor, and we promised that we ... A: First, congratulations to your mother on reaching such an advanced age, particularly (I am assuming) ...
tears during death	7/29/2007
Q: my dad passed away last week. he had secondary cancer which couldn't be treated but his death was ... A: let me say how sorry I am that you have lost your Dad. No matter how old the parent or the child, ...
hospice	7/25/2007
Q: my question is regarding hospice patient rights, I'm currently a nursing student and my first ... A: I am so happy to have a nursing student write about hospice! You can get a lot of info by looking ...
Patients on Ventilators	6/21/2007
Q: Would you please comment on the following: "Patients on ventilators cannot be transferred to a ... A: If a patient on a ventilator is stable enough to transfer anywhere, and if the hospice facility ...
My Uncle	5/1/2007
Q: My uncle is in his 5th year of dialysis three times a week. He has deteriorated in the last year to ... A: Nunie. Thank you for writing. I'll try my best to help you with this complicated situation. ...
Supporting a friend wiht a dying mother	4/3/2007
Q: My boss' mother(in her 80s) is dying of cancer. She has been given about 2 months to live. She has ... A: What a dear friend you are! The best thing we can do for someone experiencing loss is to be ...

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