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Krista Renenger 3 days ago
Caring Today announced the grand prize winner of it's 2009 "Give a Caregiver a Break" essay contest. Winner Bob Goepfert, of Ballston Lake, NY, writes a beautiful essay about caring for his wife, Carole, who has Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). James A. Block, M.D., received the 2009 American Cancer Society Pathfinder in Palliative Care Award. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated innovation and ingenuity in their contributions to the advancement of the field of palliative care. The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine announced that Timothy E. Quill will receive the Palliative Medicine Community Leadership Award at their annual meeting in March. The International Palliative Care Leadership Development Initiative, selected 22 palliative care physicians practicing in resource-limited countries to participate in a two-year program to develop their leadership skills. A new palliative medicine ...
Krista Renenger 4 days ago
The USC Davis School of Gerontology and the Partners in Care Foundation have published a brochure to offer information about end-of-life care options to the African American community. The brochure features real-life stories and families' experiences with various programs. The brochure can be downloaded from the Partners in Care website and health and community-based organizations can order a limited number of print copies for free. Historically, hospice care has not been a choice for many African Americans. HFA examines this history and suggests ways to reach out to African Americans who are making end-of-life decisions in a special report, African Americans and End-of-Life Care. The DVD of this program is available here. Social workers, nurses and counselors can obtain one continuing education credit through the program.
Krista Renenger 4 days ago
Yesterday, NPR’s All Things Considered looked at the advance care planning practices put in to place at Gundersen Lutheran hospital in La Cross, Wisconsin. Reporter Joseph Shapiro tells the stories of two patients to highlight that the process helps people think through their end-of-life care options well before decisions need to be made. Shapiro also writes about considering his own advance care directive at the hospital.
Krista Renenger 10 days ago
From the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: National Survivors of Suicide Day , a day of healing for bereavement after suicide, is Saturday, November 21, 2009. Every year, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention sponsors this day to provide an opportunity for survivors of suicide loss to come together for support, healing, and information. Because the problem of suicide knows no national or cultural boundaries, survivors from around the world are invited to participate by attending a local conference or by watching the webcast from home. You are not alone. Please visit www.afsp.org/survivorday to: 1. Locate a local conference site near you. 2. Pre-register to watch the live webcast from a home computer from 1-2:30 pm Eastern Standard Time and then join in a live online chat immediately afterwards, or 3. You can also watch webcasts from previous years at anytime. Questions? Contact survivingsuicideloss@afsp.org or 1-888-333-2377 x33.Krista Renenger 10 days ago
At their November 5 public meeting, MedPAC (Medicare Payment Advisory Commission), discussed an analysis of hospice visit patterns. The data was collected to assist them in making recommendations for changes to the Medicare payment system for hospice services. Previously, MedPAC recommended changing the current flat per diem system of hospice payments to a system that is more U-shaped, allowing for higher payments at the beginning and end of service. You can find the brief and presentation on this page, as well as a link to send MedPAC your comments. (Pallimed has posted some more background here.)
