Hospice of Marion County provides a full spectrum of physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual support for patients with advancing illness. Visit www.hospiceofmarion.com for more information.
(Alexandria, VA) – Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed the Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act of 2014 (IMPACT Act), legislation which includes hospice integrity provisions that are backed by the hospice community. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization supports this legislation and the additional oversight it will bring to end-of-life care providers.
The IMPACT Act (H.R. 4994) requires more frequent surveys of hospice providers – a measure the hospice community and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization has championed for more than a decade. The bill mandates that all Medicare certified hospices be surveyed every three years for at least the next ten years.
A 2007 HHS Office of the Inspector General report found that current survey measures for Medicare-certified hospices was not providing sufficient oversight.
“Currently, hospices can go eight years or more without ever being surveyed, which is far too long,” said J. Donald Schumacher, NHPCO president and CEO. “More consistent surveys, and the process providers go through to prepare for them, will help hospices and ultimately benefit the patients and families in their care.”
Additionally, the new legislation will facilitate medical reviews for select hospice programs with a soon to be determined percentage/number of patients receiving care for more than 180 days. The specific patient load that would trigger this medical review is yet to be set by CMS.
Such a medical review of what are known as “long stay” patients will help ensure that hospices are appropriately caring for individuals with life-limiting illnesses that are often harder to prognosticate than in the earlier days of hospice provision when most patients had a cancer diagnoses.
NHPCO has supported this provision since it was originally recommended by MedPAC in 2009.
The legislation also includes a provision that would align hospice reimbursement and the hospice aggregate financial cap to a common inflationary index.
NHPCO reports that more than 1.5 million dying Americans receive care for the nation’s hospice providers every year.
By Mery Lossada, MD Chief Medical Officer, Hospice of Marion County
On July 18, 2014, Medicare replaced a policy it had put into place just four months previous. The policy it drew up in March threw hospices and their patients into a tailspin. The disruption was around the Part D prescription plan, which assigns payment for medications. The turmoil was around which medications would be covered and who would paid for them. Needless to say, it made an already gray area even murkier for hospices and patients alike.
As frontline caregivers, the hospice community nationwide led the effort to educate Congress, the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) and the White House, in addition to engaging with relevant stakeholders. We wrote letters, made phone calls and notified our representatives. Thankfully, our monumental efforts were a success and our voices were heard. The policy has been reversed.
The revised guidance changes the prior authorization by a physician requirement to only four classes of drugs: analgesics (for pain), anti-emetics (for nausea), laxatives (for constipation) and anti-anxiety medications (for anxiety/depression). These are the drugs we hospice physicians most often use to treat symptoms of patients at the end of life. They are our most important resources to keep people comfortable and free of pain and symptoms.
This guidance does not change the responsibility of hospice to pay for all medications related to the terminal illness and related conditions, whether or not they are included in the four classes identified above. That responsibility remains with us.
Part D also covers drugs that may be unrelated to a person’s terminal illness and related conditions. What would those include? Antibiotics, for example, for a respiratory infection or insulin for diabetes. What is not covered by Part D? Multi-vitamins, calcium supplements, cough drops and other over-the-counter medications. Those are the patient’s responsibility.
While Medicare and its myriad regulations continue to evolve, our role at hospice is to take care of our patients. Part of that protocol is keeping on top of government policies that could have an adverse affect on the families we serve. I am delighted to say that this time around, our patients win and hospices around the country can continue providing the expertise only hospice can provide.
Hospice of Marion County provides a full spectrum of physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual support for patients with advancing illness. Visit www.hospiceofmarion.com for more information.
Medicare has announced significant changes in the hospice drug coverage rules, prompting cheers from many patient advocates within and beyond the hospice community. Many feared that the original changes would have had disastrous effects on quality of care by limiting the ability of terminally ill patients to gain access to medication that is crucial to both comfort and functionality at the end of life.
The newly announced modification to the Medicare Part D rules change applies to coverage for drugs unrelated to terminal illness; for example, a hospice patient with terminal cancer who also takes medication for his arthritis. “The new policy should eliminate 95% of the cases in which hospice patients need prior approval from an insurance company to get coverage for their drugs, according to participants in a Medicare briefing.”
The original new policy, which came into effect in May of this year, required patients to receive prior approval from their Medicare Part D insurer before they could fill a prescription for medications not specifically related to their terminal illness. “This became a tedious process, and many prescriptions went unfilled, because it took a long time to get prior approval and the families might not be able to afford the drugs without insurance coverage.”
The new changes to Medicare Part D only require prior approval for four specific classes of drugs: Analgesics, antinauseants, laxatives, and anti-anxiety drugs. In a policy statement issued by CMS, the federal agency noted that these drugs are “nearly always covered under the hospice benefit.” Because CMS estimates that there will be very few Part D claims for drugs in these categories, “barriers to beneficiary access should be minimized.”
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization welcomed the CMS announcement of changes saying that it as a measure that will “reduce confusion for hospice providers and… allow patients to get their medications when they need them.” J. Donald Schumacher, NHPCO president and CEO noted, “With this change, patients and their families will no longer be caught in the middle of troublesome policy and stakeholders can implement an interim solution that can more easily be understood by all providers.”
Related Articles:
The recent article, “How Dying Became a Multibillion-Dollar Industry” published by the Huffington Post, 
spoke on the increasing business of hospice care. This article attempted to prove that hospice is turning big business and quality of patient care is suffering because of it. Unfortunately, this article’s reporting is misleading and sensational.
Ultimately, the quality of care a patient receives is the most important factor when in hospice care. Florida is ahead of most states by offering the “Hospice Provider Family Satisfaction Survey” as a way to help inform patients and families about quality of care provided by hospice providers. When reviewing the results, there is no significant difference in the quality provided by the for-profit or not-for profit hospices. The business model may be different, but ultimately the goal to provide excellence end of life care to dying patients is the same.
If you are seeking hospice care, we encourage you to consider a few things:
+Be an informed consumer. As with any product or service, you should be informed about what you will receive. Ask the right questions and talk to others in similar circumstance. Not sure what to ask? Visit FHPCA’s “Choosing a Hospice” page for questions to consider when seeking end-of-life care. It’s your right as a consumer to choose the best option available. To find a provider in your area, visit our “Find a Provider” page.
+What is hospice? Hospice is a special kind of care for people who no longer pursue a cure for their illnesses at the end of life. With hospice, care priorities shift to support patients and the caregivers with end-of-life decision-making to reach the best quality possible for each day. If a patient wishes to receive palliative and curative treatment simultaneously, the service they should be seeking is palliative care, not hospice.
The goal of hospice is to comfort the patient, and to educate and train the patient’s family on how to care for their dying loved one. Hospice does not provide 24/7 custodial care, but instead educates and empowers the family to provide the care. Responsibilities family members may have include, but are not limited to, bathing, medication distribution and emotional support. There are four levels of care in hospice, and providers must follow federal guidelines to determine which level is appropriate for the patient. If the patient’s situation changes and they need a different level of care, the provider will adjust accordingly.
+Understand the plan of care. When a patient enters hospice, the provider creates a plan of care with the family. The plan of care reflects patient and family goals and interventions based on the needs identified in the initial, comprehensive, and updated assessments. If the patient or their medical proxy wishes to obtain treatment that moves beyond comfort care to life sustaining, their goals deviate from the type of service hospice provide and they should seek a different kind of care.
The hospice benefit is available to patients for up six months, sometimes longer depending on the patient’s prognosis, but too often patients receive this care only within a few days of death. The sooner a patient enters hospice, the more benefit they can receive thru pain management, spiritual care, and possibly complimentary therapies such as massage or music therapies. The family can also benefit from the grief and bereavement counseling that hospice provides.
What Can You Do? The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization has been working hard to pass legislation aimed at increasing hospice surveys conducted by regulatory agencies as a means to ensure quality nation-wide. If you would like to participate in effecting positive change in hospice nationally, contact your local congressional delegate and tell them to support the Hospice HELP Act (S. 1053/HR 2302).
Additional Resources:
FHPCA’s Consumer Hotline: 800-282-6560
FHPCA’s email: info@nullfloridahospices.org
How to Choose a Hospice by Dr. Casarett
By Wendy Melton Abbott, Team Leader, Big Bend Hospice
As a hospice nurse, I often find that when families learn all that hospice care has to offer, they are both relieved and concerned: relieved that the comprehensive list of services aims to comfort their loved one and assists them as the caregiver; concerned about how such valuable services are paid for. Many times people are hesitant to contact hospice because they are unsure of the cost.
They are comforted when they learn once someone is medically qualified for hospice most hospice patients are covered through Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. Often, hospice programs in Florida are also able to offer services to anyone regardless of ability to pay thanks to community support.
Medicare Part A provides coverage for hospice services to people over the age of 65, including expert pain and symptom management, medicines, medical equipment and supplies related to the hospice diagnosis. Specifically, it covers physician and nursing services, hospice aides, spiritual, continuous care during crisis periods, trained volunteers and bereavement services.
The hospice benefit does not require patients to be homebound. Hospice patients are free to go out to visit friends and family, or participate in other activities as they are able. A patient can remain in hospice care beyond six months if a physician re-certifies that the patient is terminally ill. Regular Medicare coverage is available to Hospice beneficiaries for non-terminal related services. Keep in mind that the hospice benefit does not pay for round-the-clock care for patients; however, sometimes hospice social workers may be able to help figure out how to get additional care.
Florida also offers Medicaid hospice coverage, which is patterned after the Medicare hospice benefit. Coverage by private insurance is similar to the Medicare and Medicaid Hospice benefits. Hospice services are covered for military families under Tricare.
Sometimes a terminally ill patient’s health improves or their illness goes into remission and the patient can be discharged from service. Also, as a hospice patient, you always have the right to stop getting hospice care, for any reason. If you stop your hospice care, you will receive the type of Medicare or Medicaid coverage that you had before electing hospice. If you are eligible, you can go back to hospice care at any time.
Contact your local hospice with questions you may have regarding coverage or expenses. You can find a listing of providers in your area by visiting www.floridahospices.org/find-a-hospice.
Wendy Melton Abbott is the Team Leader for the Gadsden/Liberty County of Big Bend Hospice. Big Bend Hospice has been serving this community since 1983 with compassionate end of life care along with grief and loss counselors available to provide information and support to anyone in Leon, Jefferson, Taylor, Madison, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin or Wakulla County. If you would like additional information about services, please call 850-878-5310 or visit www.bigbendhospice.org
Orlando, FL. – On May 22nd, in conjunction with the 29th Annual Forum “The Journey Continues: Elevating Clinical Practice to New Heights”, Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association (FHPCA) announced the 2014 winners of the annual Awards of Excellence in Hospice and Palliative Care. The Awards of Excellence program was created to identify, recognize and showcase the outstanding and innovative work of individual staff members and hospice programs throughout the state of Florida. This award program aims to provide a venue for hospice professionals to honor their peers and highlight the very best hospice has to offer.
FHPCA is pleased to announce the 2014 winners:
Barbara Janosko Award of Excellence in Leadership:
Dr. Gail Cooney, Hospice of Palm Beach County
Award of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Care:
Dr. Barry Miskin, Hospice of Palm Beach County
The Catalyst Award:
Pauline Taylor, Hospice of St. Francis
Award of Excellence in Program Innovation-Clinical Practice:
The Clinical Ladder, Emerald Coast Hospice
Award of Excellence in Program Innovation-Community Outreach:
“What’s On Your Bucket List?”, Avow
The Synergy Award:
Haven Hospice Ambassadors, Haven Hospice
The Hospice Story Award:
“A Hospice Story – Mr. T” by Gail Gerntrup, Hospice of Okeechobee
Congratulations to the award winners for their dedicated work to quality hospice care in Florida! For photos and summaries of the award winners, please visit our Forum webpage.
About the Awards:
The Barbara Janosko Excellence In Leadership Award recognizes an individual in a midlevel management position whose work has promoted the advancement of excellence in hospice and palliative care.
The Excellence in Interdisciplinary Care Award recognizes an individual hospice and palliative care professional who has attained outstanding achievements in the direct provision of care to patients and families.
The Catalyst Award recognizes an individual in any role within an organization who has consistently demonstrated leadership in forging the collaboration that makes hospice unique.
The Excellence in Program Innovation Awards, Clinical & Community Outreach, are presented to hospice and palliative care programs which demonstrate dynamic innovations or special initiatives.
The Synergy Award recognizes a group of people in any role or configuration that has consistently demonstrated the ideals of collaboration and teamwork in working toward a goal or mission.
The Hospice Story Award recognizes an individual in any role within a hospice organization who most creatively and effectively conveys what their hospice experience means to them.
About the Awards of Excellence Selection Process: Nomination submissions are judged by a selection committee composed of leaders within the hospice industry. The selection committee considered examples and specific details that demonstrate how nominees have exceeded expectations and, by their actions, made those around them better. Nominees do not compete against each other; rather they are judged individually against a high standard of excellence and innovation.
Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association (FHPCA) is pleased to announce that we won the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s (NHPCO) 2014 Trailblazer Award for our “Congressional Advocacy Notebook” project. The Trailblazer Award recognizes state organizations demonstrating high levels of excellence, innovation and leadership that expand access to hospice and palliative care, promote quality, and increase awareness.
In 2012, NHPCO held their annual HAN Advocacy Intensive to advocate for hospice and the HELP Hospice Act. FHPCA saw an opportunity to go beyond just face-to-face meetings with the Florida delegation and called upon our membership for letters of support from patients, families, and hospice staff. We compiled these letters, over 240 of them, and created notebooks that FHPCA members gave their district representatives when visiting during the HAN Advocacy Intensive.
“These notebooks did more than just advocate a need, they told a story. FHPCA wanted Florida hospice providers going to Washington, DC not to just ask for their delegate’s support, but to hand them a notebook so the delegate could feel the weight of what patients and families were asking.” says Paul Ledford, Executive Director of FHPCA. “Each of these notebooks contained powerful and tangible stories, and we are proud of our members for participating and making an impact in Washington, DC.” The Trailblazer Award will be presented at NHPCO’s Council of States Meeting on June 15, in conjunction with the 2014 Hospice Action Network Advocacy Intensive in Washington, DC.
Read more about the Washington, DC visit and the notebooks by visiting this link.
Being the primary caregiver for a loved one can be a rich, rewarding experience. It can also be hugely challenging and draining. While providing 24-hour care to individuals who cannot care for their own basic needs – eating, drinking, using the bathroom and bathing – is more than a full-time job, it is one that more and more Americans are being called upon to take on. Articles recently published in The Journal of the American Medical Association explore the challenges of caregiving. In “Caregiver Burden,” Ronald Adelman, MD, and others note that there are times that caregivers themselves can become an “invisible patient,” lost in the shuffle of care for the chronically ill person being cared for.
Being on call for another person all day and night often leaves little space in the caregiver’s life to provide for his or her own basic needs. “Over time, this can have negative effects on the caregiver: socially, psychologically, and physically.” Though caregivers are frequently overlooked in the care process, momentum has been building in recent years in the community of doctors, social workers, and others, to practice greater awareness of and care for those who are the primary caregivers for their loved ones.
One challenge to this process is the fact that caregiver stress can be a difficult subject to talk about. Precisely because they are caring for a seriously ill loved one, many will prefer not to talk about their own needs. In order to break through this barrier, clinicians and others can help by asking simple questions, such as “How would you describe your quality of life?” or Who gives you help when you need it?”
If the answers to these questions give cause for concern, JAMA provides recommendations for resources that can be useful in caring for caregivers who are struggling under the stress. Resources include links to the CDC, AARP, Caregiver Action Network, and Family Caregiver Alliance. Joanne Lynn, MD, writes about “Strategies to Ease the Burden of Family Caregivers.” Lynn says, “Federal policy has been inattentive to family caregiving,” and she backs up her assertion with clear examples. She notes the work of the VA and the progress it has made in supporting family caregivers.
JAMA also published a piece by Marjorie S. Rosenthal, MD, MPH, who writes about her own personal experience as a caregiver, and issues a call for physicians to practice caregiver-centered care. In her role as a pediatrician, she reflects on the fact that she has often failed to take caregiver needs into consideration when prescribing medication, for example. “When I was a pediatric resident, I barely paid attention to someone’s life outside the office. I prescribed a medication four times a day for a toddler without checking if there was one that could be given twice a day. I gave what I thought was the most highly effective medicine without regard for how difficult it might be to take.”
Over time, Rosenthal has learned to be more aware of the practical needs of her patients and their caregivers, not simply the cut-and-dried medical situation. “I am better now at considering the whole family,” she reflects. Yet, even now, she acknowledges that she struggles to take the full implications of care into account when making medical determinations. She issues an appeal to her fellow physicians, to join her in this work of considering the needs of family and caregivers in all of their clinical decisions. “As we, as a society, dedicate resources to solving [medical mysteries]… I hope we are dedicating resources to assessing how best to help caregivers get the support they need – both social support and within a medical system that considers their high-risk occupation.”
Mary is in her 70s and has chronic emphysema – but she is not terminal and does not qualify for hospice care. She has been to the ER several times for her illness and her family is concerned about her constant pain. There are thousands of patients that face this type of scenario everyday, if you are among them or know someone who is, below is some information that can help you to decide if palliative care is right for you.
Benefits of Palliative Care
There are many benefits of palliative care (comfort care) for both patients and their families.
After reading about the benefits for palliative care, here are some answers to common questions.
How do I know if palliative care is right for me?
Palliative care may be right for you if you are experiencing pain, stress and other symptoms due to a serious illness. Serious illnesses include but are not limited to: cancer, cardiac disease, respiratory disease, kidney failure, Alzheimer’s, AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis. Palliative care is appropriate at any stage of a serious illness and you can get it along with treatment meant to cure you.
Will my insurance cover palliative care?
Most insurance plans cover all or part of the palliative care treatment you receive, just as with other hospital and medical services. This is also true of Medicare and Medicaid. If costs concern you, a social worker or financial consultant from the palliative care team can help you with payment options.
Do I have to give up my own doctor?
The palliative care team provides an extra layer of support and works in partnership with your primary doctor. Your primary doctor will continue to direct your care and play an active role in your treatment.
Can I have curative treatment together with palliative care?
Absolutely. Your treatment choices are up to you. You can get palliative care at the same time as treatment meant to cure you.
Where is palliative care provided?
Palliative care can be provided in a number of places. These include hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term-care facilities or home.
For information about palliative care and how it can help your family, contact Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association to find out organizations offering palliative care services in your area. If you live in Pasco County, Florida – Pasco Palliative Care is available to help you and your loved ones. Please visit http://www.ghppc.org/ for more information.
Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care strives to ensure that every patient is cared for compassionately, comfortably and with dignity, and that every family receives the support they need during this difficult time. Gulfside Hospice is licensed by the state of Florida, is both Medicare and Medicaid certified. Visit www.ghppc.org for more information.
WHAT ARE THE AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE?
Excellence in the delivery of hospice and palliative care is the hallmark of hospice providers and professionals in Florida. We celebrate this excellence through our Annual Awards of Excellence program. Awards are presented to both individuals and programs that represent the very best Florida has to offer. Nominations are judged by a selection committee composed of leaders within the hospice industry. See the 2013 Winners.
The Awards of Excellence include CASH PRIZES! Thanks to the generous support of awards sponsors, each of the 2014 award winners will receive a cash prize in addition to a recognition plaque. Prize amounts vary by award.
WHAT AWARDS ARE AVAILABLE?
There are two categories of awards, they are:
1) Individual Awards
2) Program Awards
WHEN IS THE CEREMONY?
The ceremony is to be held at the Hilton Orlando in conjunction with FHPCA’s 29th Annual Forum.
HOW DO I APPLY?
We’ve made applying for an award easier than ever. Just click the Online Application Form, create username and password, and follow the instructions. Please ensure all supporting documents are uploaded with the application. Nominees must be a FHPCA member (that includes any employee of a program member) in good standing at the time of nomination and at the time of the award presentation.
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS?
Deadline to submit entries is MARCH 15th.
For more information, visit our Awards of Excellence page.
For over 30 years, FHPCA has worked toward the betterment of hospice through the commitment of our members and our Board Leadership. We are pleased to announce the new additions to our Board Leadership and Executive Committee.
“We feel fortunate as an association to have such an esteemed and talented Executive Committee. We are grateful for their dedication and hard work to further FHPCA’s mission to assure excellence and access to hospice care, and advocate for the needs of those in the final phases of life.” Says Paul Ledford, Executive Director of FHPCA.
Bonnie Alkema, RN, CHPN, Executive Director of Catholic Hospice, was elected Secretary. Bonnie, who has over 20 years of experience in the hospice healthcare industry, has been with Catholic Hospice since 2008, where she was previously the Director of Performance Improvement. She comes from Caring People Home Healthcare Agency where she was the Director of Operations and Director of Nursing. A seasoned nurse, Bonnie has served as General Manager, National Patient Care Administrator, Patient Care Administrator, and Team Manager, all within the hospice field.
Susan deCuba, MA, CHE, President/CEO, Treasure Coast Hospice, was FHPCA’s Quality Committee Chair and was elected to move into the role of Internal Vice President. She brings to the board her experience in Marketing, Foundation, Finance, IT, Compliance, Bereavement and Volunteer Services. Susan was recognized by the American Marketing Association as one of the top non-profit marketers in the country. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University with a double major in Humanities and Spanish, and a Master’s degree in Counseling from University of South Florida.
Jim Poole, CHA, Vice President of Community & Legislative Affairs, Haven Hospice, was elected External Vice President. Jim’s background has been community engagement and economic development, having lead the Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and the Columbia County Economic Development Council over the last 19 years. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force and enjoys golf when he can find the time.
Staying on in their current position is:
Linda Ward, MSW, President/CEO, Gulfside Regional Hospice was elected a two two-year terms as President of FHPCA Board of Directors in November 2012. Formerly the Secretary of FHPCA Board of Directors, Linda will continue to bring her 26 years of healthcare experience in acute care, long-term care and hospice care along with administrative experience in operations, management and marketing to FHPCA’s Executive Committee. Linda holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work and Healthcare Administration, and is a national speaker on the topics of Alzheimer’s, Hospice and customer loyalty, and is a member of many healthcare organizations.
Tom Barb, MHA, President/CEO, HPH Hospice, was elected Treasurer. Tom has been president and CEO of HPH Hospice since July of 2008, and brings his 35 years of varied healthcare experience with for-profit, non-profit and governmental hospital organizations to FHPCA’s Board of Directors. Tom has a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Florida and a Masters of Health Administration from Georgia State University.
Mary Ellen Poe, MSA, RN, President/CEO, Hospice of Marion County is the Immediate Past President. Mary Ellen Poe joined Hospice of Marion County and its Affiliated Companies as Chief Executive Officer in May 2009. In addition to being FHPCA’s Immediate Past President, she is also an officer for the Access to Healthcare Inc. Board, and serves on the Governance Committee of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
Cathy Adkison, BSN, ADN, President/CEO, Big Bend Hospice, remains as the Funding Committee Chair. Cathy joined Big Bend Hospice in 2011 from Alabama where she was a Senior Vice President of Operations for a large home health and hospice provider serving over 54 counties. She is a Registered Nurse and holds a bachelor’s of science in nursing as well as certification in Hospice and Home Care Administration. Adkison has 30 years of nursing experience, with 26 of those years in administrative and management positions.
Ron Fried, Senior Vice President of Development, VITAS Innovative Healthcare, remains as the Public Policy Committee Chair. Ron brings more than fifteen years of hospice management and administrative responsibilities and more than thirty years of experience in legislative and regulatory affairs to his role Public Policy Committee Chair. Along with his extensive work and public policy experience, he is also Chair of the boards of directors of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and a board member of the Hospice Action Network.
The grief journey never looks or feels the same for those that have lost loved ones. Grieving patterns differ depending on the relationship, the passing, and the season in the surviving member’s life. No one can truly understand what a griever is going through, but there are ways to be supportive, especially during holidays when one feels the loss even more.
There are small things you can do to support a family member or friend who is grieving:
If you have lost a loved one, there are some things you can do to help ease the holiday blues:
Hospice programs provide grief and bereavement support to the entire community, often free of charge, regardless if the loved one died in hospice. Often hospice programs will offer special support groups, workshops, and/or memorial services during the holiday season. If you would like more information about bereavement support opportunities in your area, contact your local hospice by visiting Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association’s (FHPCA) Find-A-Hospice page.
Learn More:
There are several ways you can stay in touch with FHPCA and learn more about hospice & palliative care.
The Hospice House Difference
By Patricia Klein, Sr. Public Relations Specialist, Good Shepherd Hospice and
Abby Vandegrift, Communications & Policy Coordinator, Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association
Judy Goll will always remember October 22, 2011. Even though doctors had diagnosed her husband, Stephen, with Alzheimer’s disease one year earlier, that evening he cooked dinner for her. Later they watched the movie “The Notebook.” As Judy describes it, “The next day he took a turn for the worse.”
Stephen’s condition entered what is called ‘crisis’ level and required a higher level of care. In this wearisome state, Judy and Stephen found unexpected support at the Bud and Donna Somers Hospice House in Sebring.
Somers Hospice House opened in January in 2011, and about one month later staff started caring for patients. Since then, approximately 1,200 patients and their loved ones have received compassionate end-of-life care at the state-of-the-art facility. Somers Hospice House is an inpatient unit run by Good Shepherd Hospice and, like many other hospices around the state, offers this type of facility to patients who are classified as being in crisis or for caregivers who are in need of respite.
What makes a hospice house different? The word Judy would use is “wonderful.” In a Hospice House, patients’ and their families’ comfort is the first priority. Hospice Houses are built to have a “home like” atmosphere, and often provide amenities such as a cozy family area with comfortable furniture, a well-stocked children’s play room, a dining area with wooden tables and chairs, and convenient laundry facilities.
When is it appropriate to stay in a Hospice House? Hospice care is appropriate for patients who have been diagnosed with a disease that has a prognosis of six months or less if the disease runs its normal course. Medicare defines four levels of hospice care: basic hospice services, continuous home care, respite care and inpatient care. Patients who are in a medical crisis with symptoms that cannot be managed as effectively in their homes are appropriate for inpatient level of care and are eligible to stay in a Hospice House. Caregivers who are in need of respite can also have their loved one stay in an inpatient unit for a short amount of time.
The goal of inpatient care is to bring pain and symptoms under control so patients can return home. Inpatient hospice care is provided in contracted hospitals or nursing homes. But like at Good Shepherd Hospice, patients who need inpatient care have the choice of being admitted to a freestanding hospice house. Some hospice organizations offer residential hospice care, which provides long-term care for patients who have frail caregivers or lack family support at the end of life.
In Sebring, Good Shepherd Hospice has taken every step to make the Somers Hospice House warm and welcoming. “We want patients and families to consider the Somers Hospice House a home rather than a facility,” said Becky McIntyre, Good Shepherd Hospice chief clinical officer. “Visitors are welcome at all hours. We even allow visits from family pets, as long as pets are well behaved and vaccinations are up to date.”
Judy tells how one evening she went home after visiting Stephen, only to feel uneasy. Rather than tossing and turning in her own bed, Judy grabbed her pajamas and drove to the hospice house. She was able to stay with her husband on his last night alive. Judy Goll is at peace with the end-of-life care Stephen received and encourages anyone facing a similar circumstance to consider hospice house care.
The mission of Good Shepherd Hospice is to provide quality palliative care and relieve the suffering of those in our communities affected by life-limiting illnesses and end-of-life issues, maintaining the highest ethical standards, so all may live as fully and comfortably as possible. Please visit www.chaptershealth.org/hospice for more information.
Television viewers are afforded a rare glimpse into the lives of hospice patients in the one-hour special program, “Hospice: Something More” premiering Thursday, November 7 at 9pm ET on RLTV. The program was produced by Hospice Foundation of America and funded by a grant from the John and Wauna Harman Foundation and will air from November 7 through early January.
“Whether it’s the 44-year old mom with terminal lung cancer who goes to her son’s football practice, or the retired professor who chooses to let nature rather than his automatic defibrillator determine when he will die, the stories of real hospice patients and their families will inspire viewers to think about the options available to those with life-limiting illness and the people who love them,” said Hospice Foundation of America President and CEO Amy S. Tucci.
The program is hosted by former CNN correspondent Frank Sesno. He is joined in-studio by Samira Beckwith, CEO of Hope HealthCare Services, a nonprofit hospice provider serving southwest Florida; Terry Melvin, MD, medical director of Hospice ofChattanooga, Tennessee; Gary Fink, a rabbi who is vice president of spiritual care and volunteer services at Montgomery Hospice in Rockville, Maryland; and Kenneth J. Doka, professor at the graduate school of The College of New Rochelle in New York, a recognized expert in grief and loss.
Click here for where to find RLTV
Video with caption: “Hospice – Something More premieres on Thursday, November 7 at 9pm ET on RLTV. Viewers are afforded a rare glimpse into the lives of hospice patients in this one-hour special program, hosted by former CNN correspondent Frank Sesno. The program was produced by Hospice Foundation of America and funded by a grant from the John and Wauna Harman Foundation and will air from November 7 through early January. Check cable listings for more information.” Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCZ7edI_Foo
Air times:
12/5/13 9:00 PM
12/5/13 12:00 AM
12/6/13 10:00 AM
12/8/13 11:00 AM
12/9/13 7:00 AM
12/11/13 1:00 PM
12/12/13 9:00 PM
12/12/13 12:00 AM
12/14/13 1:00 PM
12/19/13 11:00 AM
12/21/13 11:00 AM
November is Hospice & Palliative Care Month and is not only a great time to recognize the excellent end-of-life care provided in Florida, but also an opportunity to support hospice programming through the purchase of the Specialty Hospice License Plate. $25 a year from your plate goes far by providing support towards the following:
Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association (FHPCA) is a not-for-profit, IRS Section 501(c)(3) organization representing hospice patients and families, hospice professionals and hospice providers. FHPCA strives to assure excellence in, and expand access to, hospice and palliative care, and advocates for the needs of those in the final stages of life. One of the ways we are able to accomplish our mission is through the sales of the Specialty Hospice License Plate. Visit www.myfloridaspecialtyplate.com to purchase your plate today. You can read the Florida Hospice Month declaration from Gov. Rick Scott at http://bit.ly/1bySQGJ
Senator Montford reads the National Hospice Proclamation:
What is Hospice and Palliative Care? Hospice is a type of care that offers people care, chosen by them, at the end of their life. To be eligible for hospice, a patient must have a life-limiting terminal illness that puts their life expectancy within six months or less. In Florida, some private pay insurers allow for a year or less. Palliative care can offer some of the same types of services that hospice does, but it is provided to everyone, no matter the diagnosis or life expectancy.
Hospice and palliative care regards dying as a natural process. The goal of hospice and palliative care is to achieve the best possible quality of life through relief of suffering, control of symptoms, and restoration of functional capacity while remaining sensitive to personal, cultural and religious values, beliefs and practices. The highly specialized and unique array of hospice and palliative care services creates an environment which encourages the patient to express what is in the heart, focus on love and forgiveness, and on life’s meaning and purpose. When things need to be said, issues resolved and dreams fulfilled, hospice will be there for you.
By VNA of the Treasure Coast
For many caregivers, taking care of a loved one means much more than medication reminders and preparing meals. More arduous tasks such as wound care become part of the responsibilities of the caregiver. In a recent AARP study, more than one-third of caregivers found wound care very challenging and wish they had more training on the subject. The fear of making a mistake and causing infection or pain can be overwhelming and can cause anxiety for caregivers.
If your loved one is recovering from surgery or a hospital stay, it is advisable to ask for in-home care during his or her recovery to relieve the stress and anxiety of the caregiver. However, unless enlisting the help of a private duty agency with twenty-four capabilities, there may be times when the caregiver has to change their loved one’s wound his or herself without the aid of a healthcare professional. Below you will find some general tips and guidelines when it comes to wound care. For specific directions on caring for your loved one’s wound, please consult your physician.
Before changing any wound dressing, be sure that you are working on a clean work surface with sterile instruments and cleansed hands. This will help prevent bacterial infections, impeding the health of the wound. After cleaning the work area, take out any supplies from their packages you might need such as medical tape, gauze, and dressings. Then put on your gloves and proceed to take off the top dressing from the wound.
When removing the top dressing from the wound, you will want to place one hand on the skin and with the other hand, pull the tape off towards the wound. If there is inner packing on the wound, you will want to remove this as well. Ask your physician if special instructions are needed for removing the inner packing. Be sure to put all soiled dressings and gloves in a sealed plastic bag and keep away from children and animals.
When re-packing the wound, be sure to start with a new pair of gloves. If the wound requires inner packing, ask your physician for any special instructions for the inner packing. For the outer dressing, take the gauze by the corners and place over the wound. Use four strips of tape to seal each edge of the gauze.
As a caregiver, you will need to also be aware of any warning signs for infections or complications. It is important to call your doctor if your loved one is experiencing a temperature, chills, poor-smelling fluids or drainage from the wound, swelling or redness around the wound, and increased pain around the wound area.
VNA provides compassionate, innovative care of the highest quality, setting the standard for patients and caregivers needing home health, hospice, and community health services.
by VNA of the Treasure Coast
Volunteering doesn’t just serve as a benefit to the community, it can also serve as a benefit to your health. Studies have shown that seniors who volunteer regularly increase their mental and physical health by socializing with other seniors, fulfilling a sense of worth within their community and remaining active and agile.
Volunteering can help increase the mental health of seniors by encouraging social interaction. When a person retires, their social circle can become smaller. Not having a workplace to interact with others can create an environment of isolation and separation, and sometimes seniors who live alone can go a day or two without any human interaction. A feeling of isolation can lead to mental health illnesses such as depression. Volunteering can negate these feelings and foster an environment of connectivity and self-worth. It will allow for seniors to interact with others close to their age and with similar interests. Volunteering will create a community and support system for seniors even if they volunteer just a few hours a month.
Volunteering also fulfills a sense of worth, which promotes mental health. Donating time to help others leaves a person with a sense of accomplishment. Seniors who have spent decades in the workplace can feel unaccomplished and lose self-esteem after retiring from their job. In a recent study, 92 percent of people agreed that volunteering enriches their lives and gives them a sense of purpose.
In addition to the mental health benefits, volunteering also improves physical health and is a great way to remain active. As we age, mobility and agility decrease and we can become sedentary. Regardless if you are volunteering in a retail shop, office, park or at the beach, volunteering can give seniors the opportunity to spend time moving. Being active helps fight off many diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke, and it can help manage symptoms for chronic illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure (CHF). Before volunteering, make sure to know your physical limits if you do suffer from any ailments. Understand the physical requirements of the job before donating your time because many volunteer positions may require the lifting of heavy objects or standing on your feet for hours at a time. Consult your physician about the limits of your physical activity.
VNA provides compassionate, innovative care of the highest quality, setting the standard for patients and caregivers needing home health, hospice, and community health services.
by VNA of the Treasure Coast
When a loved one is diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, (COPD), there are certain things that you, as the caregiver, should know. It is important that you understand the various aspects of this progressive disease so you can ease the responsibility of caregiving for yourself and increase the quality of life for your loved one.
As a caregiver, you should educate yourself about the disease. Learn what changes need to be made to your loved one’s daily life, learn how to prevent infections, and what you need to know about your loved ones treatment options. It is also recommended that you attend physician appointments so you can learn and ask questions that will help you and your loved one.
Nutrition is an important aspect of living with COPD; it is recommended that patients eat small, healthy meals multiple times throughout the day as opposed to one or two large meals a day. Avoiding an overly full stomach will ensure that the heart and lungs will not have to work as hard to digest the food. It is also important to keep your loved one’s body in shape by being active and doing light exercises. Understand that your loved one will have difficulty breathing, so let him or her set a comfortable pace to exercise.
Preventative measures should be taken when you are caring for a patient with COPD. These patients are vulnerable to illnesses and infections and certain steps should be taken to avoid being sick. Do not let your loved one around those who are sick or might be sick. Wash your hands frequently, and be sure to keep your loved one healthy by being inoculated with the flu and pneumonia vaccines. As a caregiver, it will be your responsibility look for signs for infection and be prepared to react in case of an emergency. Warning signs of an infection can include shortness of breath, yellow and/or green mucus, fever, increased fatigue, and wheezing. If you believe that your loved one might have an infection, you should seek medical attention.
As the caregiver, you should understand your loved one’s treatment plan. Learn the various types of medications that he or she is taking and understand the proper use of oxygen if necessary. Be sure to study the appropriate use of oxygen and any safety components that go along with caring for a loved one undergoing oxygen therapy.
VNA provides compassionate, innovative care of the highest quality, setting the standard for patients and caregivers needing home health, hospice, and community health services.
by Joyce Baldrica, President and CEO of the VNA of the Treasure Coast
and Nightingale Private Duty Nursing
Do you, a loved one, or a neighbor feel unsafe at home due to a medical condition or age-related issues? Are you having difficulty preparing food, bathing, or getting into or out of bed? Are you unable to manage your medications and take them as prescribed? Is it a struggle to do your grocery shopping or errands? If you answered yes to just one of these questions, you should learn more about private duty care.
Private duty services are for individuals of all ages who need assistance with daily living within the comfort, security, and privacy of their own home. Private duty services foster independence and help create and maintain a safe living environment. Private duty caregivers offer peace of mind, also provide respite for a family caregiver, and may work alongside with home health and hospice care teams.
Unlike the intermittent home care paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurances, private duty care is paid for by the client and/or family, trusts, and some long-term care insurance plans. While private duty care is always tailored to the individual client’s needs, services are provided by nurses, home health aides, and trained caregivers, and often include:
There are three types of organizations that can provide private duty care in the home; a private duty agency, a nurse registry, and private care giver. Each type of agency provides in-home care, however there are differences regarding how the care is managed, licensure, and employment laws. I will include more information on these three types of organizations in a future article.
Many private duty home care organizations provide a broad range of services. The goal is to provide whatever a client needs to remain safe and independent in their home. Care Management may also be provided, along with a wide array of other services such as home health aides and specialty nursing programs including wound care and pain management.
As more Americans choose to remain in their homes while they age, finding the right type of private duty care for loved ones can be a challenge. To find a qualified private duty agency in your area, turn to the National Private Duty Association (NPDA), the nation’s leading association for providers of private duty home care.
You deserve the peace of mind, trust, and security that working with a member of the NPDA can provide. All NPDA members must adhere to the organization’s policies, procedures and ethical standards for home care. They have an “Agency Educator” to provide consumers with a comprehensive list of NPDA members nationwide. Visit www.privatedutyhomecare.org for more information, or visit the Private Duty Homecare Association at www.pdhca.org .
VNA provides compassionate, innovative care of the highest quality, setting the standard for patients and caregivers needing home health, hospice, and community health services.
On Friday, June 28, FHPCA submitted comments to CMS regarding the FY2014 proposed hospice wage index rule. The letter addressed four distinct sections of the proposed rule: Diagnosis reporting on hospice claims; use of nonspecific, symptom diagnoses; proposed updates to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program; and potential reforms to the hospice payment system.
You can read the letter HERE. NHPCO also submitted comments, and you can read their letter HERE.
Joan Byrd grew up in a family of six. She and her siblings were raised to stay connected with one another no matter where they went. Each year, Joan would make the trek from Phoenix to Washington, DC to visit her older sister. After a case of shingles put her sister in the hospital, Joan learned her sister was also suffering from dementia. Her sister, who lived alone, never told anyone about the condition.
Her sister’s husband had passed away and she never had children, so the responsibility fell on Joan to provide the critical care her sister needed. Over the next few years, she got her sister’s affairs in order — everything from paying outstanding bills to making sure she had food to eat. And, Joan did this from her home in Phoenix and through visits to DC.
Joan is one of the many caregivers who provide support from across the country. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 15 million caregivers provided more than 17 billion hours of unpaid care valued at $216 billion in 2012.
Whether you find yourself caring for someone who lives across the country or assisting someone who lives closer, providing ongoing care for family members or loved ones with dementia is a challenging, and often exhausting long-term job. And, due to dementia’s progressive nature, caregiving can last 10 years or longer.
In the past, generations of families were able to divide caregiving tasks and responsibilities because they were larger and often lived in the same town. Today’s families are often smaller and may be spread across the country, communicating by telephone, email, Facebook or Skype.
Family members providing direct care are often isolated, and family members who don’t see the day-to-day may not understand the effects or severity of the dementing illness. This can lead to conflict, frustration, and long term dysfunction despite the best intentions of all family members.
It is important to remember that your job as a distance caregiver is to ease the burden on the direct caregiver and make the person with dementia feel at ease. It’s crucial for long-distance caregivers to understand the disease while offering meaningful help.
Here are some ways for distance caregivers to stay involved with the direct caregiver:
And here are some tips to stay connected with a person with dementia:
Remember, it’s the little things that count as you assist in the care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia from afar. Because caregiving is sometimes overwhelming, it’s important to appreciate the support of everyone in the situation which helps overcome the unique challenges in care for your loved one.
On May 23rd, Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association (FHPCA) announced the 2013 winners of the annual Awards of Excellence in Hospice and Palliative Care.
The Awards of Excellence program was created to identify, recognize and showcase the outstanding and innovative work of individual staff members and hospice programs throughout the state of Florida. The Awards aim to provide a venue for hospice professionals to honor their peers and highlight the very best hospice has to offer.
Winners:
The Excellence in Interdisciplinary Care Award recognizes an individual hospice and palliative care professional who has attained outstanding achievements in the direct provision of care to patients and families.
Excellence in Interdisciplinary Care Award winner Beth Caldwell, Lifepath Hospice
The thing that truly sets Beth apart from other nurses is her patient care philosophy. Her approach—“If it’s not a problem for the patient, it’s not a problem for me; If it is a problem for the patient, it is a problem for me”—enables patients to gain a sense of control in the final leg of their life’s journey. Beth is able to meet every patient where they are—in squalor or affluence, in denial or acceptance—and walk with them there. It’s their life, their death. She is simply there to provide support and comfort along the way.
The Barbara Janosko Excellence In Leadership Award recognizes an individual in a midlevel management position whose work has promoted the advancement of excellence in hospice and palliative care.
Paul Ledford, Executive Director of FHPCA & Barbara Janosko Award winner Mary Richt, Hospice of the Sea
Like Barbara Janosko, throughout her 19 year career in hospice and palliative care, Mary Richt has distinguished herself. At Hospice by the Sea, Inc., she is respected for her leadership abilities and sensitivity to the needs of practitioners, patients and families. During her tenure with the not-for-profit organization serving Broward and Palm Beach Counties, Mary has assumed a number of roles, progressively taking on more and more responsibility. Because of her proven management abilities and innovation, today, Mary is the Senior Director of Clinical Excellence and sets and example of exceptional service. Her foresight and creativity have helped her to achieve this respect. The four cornerstones of Hospice by the Sea are integrity, excellence, teamwork and accountability, and Mary Richt is the embodiment of all of them in everything that she does to promote the advancement of excellence in hospice and palliative care.
The Hospice Story Award recognizes a work of creative writing, either in prose or poem form.
Paul Ledford, Executive Director of FHPCA and Hospice Story Award winner Fred Mortensen
Fred Mortensen, Spiritual Care Counselor at Hospice by the Sea, Inc. creatively employs storytelling to comfort, inspire, and console patients and family members every day. When asked to share a story that conveyed what the hospice experience means to him, Fred chose this tender and sensitive memory that beautifully recreates the love between two people. It conveys a strong and clear picture of the power of love and relationships, providing tremendous insight into the values and character of the man who tells the story. Fred views his involvement with this couple facing life’s greatest challenge as a gift he received from them. They affirmed for him that it is possible to reach this crossroads of life in hospice care, and yet remain spiritually and emotionally healthy while remaining true to yourself. They no longer may be in Fred’s life, but these lovers remain in his heart and, now, in ours.
The Synergy Award recognizes a group of people in any role or configuration that has consistently demonstrated the ideals of collaboration and teamwork in working toward a goal or mission.
Linda Ward, FHPCA President and President/CEO of Gulfside Regional Hospice & Synergy Award winner Stacy Orloff, Suncoast Hospice
The South African Partnership committee was formed to support the efforts of the Suncoast Hospice alliance with Hospice Association of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg and Soweto, South Africa. The partnership was formed in 2001 and has built momentum every step of the way including receiving the inaugural global partner award from FHSSA in 2011 recognizing outstanding partnership efforts to improve palliative care in South Africa.
Building a sustainable partnership is not easy and many challenges surfaces along the way. The partnership committee has worked tirelessly and diligently to keep our sister hospice at the fore-front of our initiatives and sustainable.
The immense pride our partnership team feels about our South African partnership has easily translated into making a difference to our own Suncoast Hospice patients and families. They are a testament to how a passionate team can make a difference well beyond its stated mission.
The Excellence in Program Innovation- Community Outreach Awards are presented to hospice and palliative care programs which demonstrate dynamic innovations or special initiatives.
Top – Kelly Cavagnetto and Ashley Monteath, Children’s Activity Coordinators, Gulfside Regional Hospice – Award of Excellence in Program Innovation-Community Outreach: Grief and Loss Puppet Program, Gulfside Regional Hospice
Bottom – Linda Ward, FHPCA President and President/CEO of Gulfside Regional Hospice, Paul Ledford, Executive Director of FHPCA, Aloesea Program, Hospice by the Sea, and Rob Goodsell, Home Healthcare Solutions (award sponsor)
Our inspiration for the Grief and Loss Puppet Shows was inspired by an acknowledgment of need due to the many phone calls we were receiving from Pasco County for children’s bereavement counseling and education. We wanted to help the children acknowledge their grief and learn coping skills to deal with the loss, in a healthy and socially acceptable way. We made contact with the elementary schools to explain the program, selected a grief and loss play to perform, created a puppet show screen and trained two Bereavement counselors and some volunteers. We secured some beanie babies as comfort pals for the children and schedule the shows with the schools. Our statistics have risen every year since we began the program in the schools in 2006. The demand is greater than we can respond to each year but we make an effort to provide the show to a few new schools each year. The number of children we reached in 2011-12 was 1400. We learn through our surveys how we can improve the presentation and the impact it has on the kids. The classrooms now can discuss death without fear, children can cry without feeling odd, and they can understand their own feelings and acknowledge their pain without the need to “act out.” Children and teachers are more sensitive to each other and their peers. Implications: We live in a death denying society. The only way we can make a change so that society’s children can respond to loss with a healthy and natural approach is to educate and provide creative programs to the school system and other settings that create a safe and compassionate environment for the children to share feelings of loss, disappointment and sadness. Hospices can lead the way.
About the Awards of Excellence Selection Process:
Nominations are judged by a selection committee composed of leaders within the hospice industry. The selection committee considered examples and specific details that demonstrate how nominees have exceeded expectations and, by their actions, made those around them better. Nominees do not compete against each other; rather they are judged individually against a high standard of excellence and innovation.
An article published on The New York Times’ blog, New Old Age, explores the experience of caregivers of terminally-ill family members and loved ones. The essay examines not only the stresses that are present during the finals days of the loved one being cared for, but especially on the toll that end-of-life caregiving can have long after the loved one’s death.
“Is there life after caregiving, and if so what is it like?” This is the fundamental question for Judith Graham, who acknowledges that there is “no single answer to this question.” The impact of a loved one’s death varies greatly depending on the emotional temperament and circumstances of the caregiver, and on the relationship with the deceased loved one.
There are, however, some experiences that are common to many end-of-life caregivers, including physical and emotional fatigue, and feelings of guilt following the death. Caregivers explain the stress that can result when they do not have caring resources for their own struggles. Once death occurs, and the intensity of providing care no longer fills every waking moment, the underlying trauma of the experience can emerge with disturbing force. One former caregiver recounts that, following the death of her husband, “All of the emotions I had kept bottled inside came out – all of the sadness and regret over what happened.”
Despite all of the difficulties that family members face when caring for dying loved ones, for many the experience is ultimately rewarding. The opportunity to be present with their spouses, parents or children in the last days of life is something that many would not forgo, despite the grief they must experience.
For many, the experience of being present for the death of another provides a reminder to appreciate the life and health they currently enjoy. One man explains that accompanying his father during his dying days gave him “a glimpse of what lies down the road for me… So now, if I have the ability to go for a run or lift weights or go for a walk outside, I’m not going to take it for granted.”
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Despite recent gains in public awareness of the need for advance care planning, studies indicate that most Americans have not exercised their right to make decisions about their healthcare in the event that they cannot speak for themselves.
The National Healthcare Decisions Day, April 16, will help Americans understand that making future healthcare decisions includes much more than deciding what care they would or would not want; it starts with expressing preferences, clarifying values, identifying care preferences and selecting an agent to express healthcare decisions if patients are unable to speak for themselves. The National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) initiative is a collaborative effort of national, state and community organizations committed to ensuring that all adults with decision-making capacity in the United States have the information and opportunity to communicate and document their healthcare decisions.
Visit our Advance Directives page or go to NHDD website to download your advance directive today.