Once again, Hospice Care Corporation will be hosting its Tygart Golf Classic on Saturday, July 24th at the Tygart Lake Golf Course. All proceeds from the tournament will support the mission of Hospice Care Corporation, which provides vital patient care for the terminally ill and their families.
This year’s event features many interesting opportunities for golfers and sponsors. There will be prizes for the winning teams, as well as a variety of exciting contests and hole prizes including: longest drive, longest putt, two closest to the pins and a hole-in-one prize.
Hospice Care is accepting sponsors at all levels of participation from prize sponsors to snack, meal, cart and hole sponsors. Also, businesses and individuals are encouraged to donate items for door prizes, raffles and goody bags. Every dollar raised stays here in the communities we serve. And, all contributions and donations are tax deductible.
“We are looking to our friends and supporters in the community to help us make this tournament very successful and well attended here in Taylor County,“ said Cynthia Woodyard, Vice President of Public Affairs and Access.
The format is a four-man shot gun scramble. The cost to play is $60 per person or $240 per foursome for 18 holes of golf. The event starts at 7 AM with registration and an 8 AM tee off. All participants will receive a goody bag, snacks and refreshments during play, with lunch and the award presentation immediately following. Individual and Team registration is available by calling 1-800-350-1161. For more information on sponsorship opportunities or playing, please contact Kim Riley at (304) 864-0884 or kriley@hospicecarecorp.org.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Hospice Care - Living With Terminal Illness
by Allen Jesson
Patients and their families are usually overwhelmed when faced with the diagnosis of terminal illness. Many patients are symptom-free until an illness or hospitalization reveals they have a life-limiting condition. Suddenly, everything changes. Feelings of fear, confusion, doubt, and even isolation are common. Major health decisions must be made. Most people are at a loss as to where to turn for guidance. A hospice care team can help you navigate this new terrain.
It is never too early to call hospice to inquire about comfort care. Comfort care involves managing pain and symptoms so patients can live their lives as fully as possible. Generally it follows therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation. The concentration is on quality of life when quantity of life is limited. The patient's primary care physician (or discharge planner, if the patient is still hospitalized) is a good person with whom to start the conversation. You may not feel hospice care is right for you or your loved one now, but the best time to ask about hospice care is before you need it.
What Can I Expect?
The hospice philosophy is a holistic one that embraces the physical, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of every patient. But remember: this journey is not about the patient alone. It involves the patient's entire supportive network. Hospice care is interdisciplinary-including physicians, nurses, social services (social workers, clergy, volunteers and bereavement staff)-and everyone involved is prepared to support you on the road ahead.
Hospice care is synonymous with supportive care. Whether you are the patient or the caregiver, we stand ready to provide practical guidance, training, and nursing supervision so the patient can remain at home as long as possible. We provide state-of-the-art pain management and symptom control. Other resources and services include home health aides, who can assist with care when appropriate; volunteers who can provide respite or companionship; medication relative to the terminal diagnosis; and equipment such as hospital beds. When remaining at home is not an option, hospice services are provided elsewhere: at nursing homes, residential care facilities, or a hospice facility, if your community has one.
Steps to Take
Living with a terminal illness impacts every area of a patient's life as well as a caregiver's. There are new decisions and challenges daily. Everything from your finances to your career, social life and plans for the future will be impacted. The hospice team can help you identify coping strategies. You and your loved one are the important players here; it will be necessary to address end-of-life choices (what you want or don't want) to ensure these decisions are not made during a crisis. Let hospice help you with direction and guidance regarding some of these decisions. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) suggests the following steps:
* Make an appointment with an attorney to prepare/update a durable power of attorney for financial decisions
* Update your life insurance policies as needed
* Provide your family and physician with copies of your advance directive (a document that states what you do and do not want in the event of a health catastrophe)
* Review your health insurance so you know what is covered and what isn't
* Write down important information such as names of banks, where safe deposit keys are, names of attorneys, etc., and share it with someone you trust
* Talk with your employer about disability and other benefits
Take one day at a time. There are many adjustments to be made. While living with terminal illness can be very difficult, the diagnosis can also be a blessing. Knowing that your time is limited puts things into perspective. It can also be a special time to examine relationships and repair them as needed. By electing to begin hospice care, you will acquire an entire team of professionals to help with care and decision-making. You don't need to feel alone. We will help you celebrate the remainder of life, and find some peace, understanding and balance.
Please visit the Gilbert Guide for the very best in hospice and for more information about hospice care.
Patients and their families are usually overwhelmed when faced with the diagnosis of terminal illness. Many patients are symptom-free until an illness or hospitalization reveals they have a life-limiting condition. Suddenly, everything changes. Feelings of fear, confusion, doubt, and even isolation are common. Major health decisions must be made. Most people are at a loss as to where to turn for guidance. A hospice care team can help you navigate this new terrain.
It is never too early to call hospice to inquire about comfort care. Comfort care involves managing pain and symptoms so patients can live their lives as fully as possible. Generally it follows therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation. The concentration is on quality of life when quantity of life is limited. The patient's primary care physician (or discharge planner, if the patient is still hospitalized) is a good person with whom to start the conversation. You may not feel hospice care is right for you or your loved one now, but the best time to ask about hospice care is before you need it.
What Can I Expect?
The hospice philosophy is a holistic one that embraces the physical, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of every patient. But remember: this journey is not about the patient alone. It involves the patient's entire supportive network. Hospice care is interdisciplinary-including physicians, nurses, social services (social workers, clergy, volunteers and bereavement staff)-and everyone involved is prepared to support you on the road ahead.
Hospice care is synonymous with supportive care. Whether you are the patient or the caregiver, we stand ready to provide practical guidance, training, and nursing supervision so the patient can remain at home as long as possible. We provide state-of-the-art pain management and symptom control. Other resources and services include home health aides, who can assist with care when appropriate; volunteers who can provide respite or companionship; medication relative to the terminal diagnosis; and equipment such as hospital beds. When remaining at home is not an option, hospice services are provided elsewhere: at nursing homes, residential care facilities, or a hospice facility, if your community has one.
Steps to Take
Living with a terminal illness impacts every area of a patient's life as well as a caregiver's. There are new decisions and challenges daily. Everything from your finances to your career, social life and plans for the future will be impacted. The hospice team can help you identify coping strategies. You and your loved one are the important players here; it will be necessary to address end-of-life choices (what you want or don't want) to ensure these decisions are not made during a crisis. Let hospice help you with direction and guidance regarding some of these decisions. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) suggests the following steps:
* Make an appointment with an attorney to prepare/update a durable power of attorney for financial decisions
* Update your life insurance policies as needed
* Provide your family and physician with copies of your advance directive (a document that states what you do and do not want in the event of a health catastrophe)
* Review your health insurance so you know what is covered and what isn't
* Write down important information such as names of banks, where safe deposit keys are, names of attorneys, etc., and share it with someone you trust
* Talk with your employer about disability and other benefits
Take one day at a time. There are many adjustments to be made. While living with terminal illness can be very difficult, the diagnosis can also be a blessing. Knowing that your time is limited puts things into perspective. It can also be a special time to examine relationships and repair them as needed. By electing to begin hospice care, you will acquire an entire team of professionals to help with care and decision-making. You don't need to feel alone. We will help you celebrate the remainder of life, and find some peace, understanding and balance.
Please visit the Gilbert Guide for the very best in hospice and for more information about hospice care.
Monday, June 14, 2010
The Right Choice for Finding Hospice Nursing
by Ben Pate
Being told that you are dying and that you need to have hospice care can be very difficult to handle. This is care that is offered only to those who are dying, and generally have less than six months to live. While it is a hard choice, it can often be a good one to make for you and your family.
This type of care is often used to make sure that you die with dignity and in as much comfort as possible. It allows you to live the last part of your life pain free, and can allow you a better quality of life for what remains with quality health care. This care is personalized to both you and the family, so you get exactly what you need to achieve these goals.
This type of care is very family oriented. It can help to take the burden of care off the family, allowing the family to enjoy time with their loved one without having to worry about the day-to-day care. This type of hospice facility can make it more pleasant for everyone involved. There are often no set visiting hours if you are at a clinic and they do strive to keep the families together for as long as possible.
They hire caring health care professionals and have some of the most sensitive people in the industry. Many of these caregivers truly care about their patients
and work hard to ensure that the care they give is excellent and done gently. In many cases, the staff gives care beyond just performing a duty. They truly care and it shows.
Spiritual care is also attended to. While the facility itself does not offer religious counseling, it can place the patient in contact with members of their own faith to keep them connected to their own individual spirituality. They will help plan for funerals and offer therapy to cope with death and loss to everyone involved.
They try hard to provide this service in your own home. Many people find this to be one of the most appealing things about the care. If you have to be in an extended care hospice, but would prefer to be at home, they will make every effort to move you there if it is at all possible. They will try their best to follow any wishes about your care you may have.
They also provide bereavement help. The surviving family members can take advantage of the comfort and support the staff offers and they can make the process of death easier to the ones left behind. They can put the family in touch with groups that can offer grief counseling, and many times will do this themselves before the patient dies so that the survivors can accept the death.
The meaning of hospice counseling is end of life care, but it can be a comforting choice to make. Families are allowed to spend as much time with their loved ones as they want, and they give a better quality to the life by providing this hospice. From patient care to bereavement care, this can be a good choice to make.
Being told that you are dying and that you need to have hospice care can be very difficult to handle. This is care that is offered only to those who are dying, and generally have less than six months to live. While it is a hard choice, it can often be a good one to make for you and your family.
This type of care is often used to make sure that you die with dignity and in as much comfort as possible. It allows you to live the last part of your life pain free, and can allow you a better quality of life for what remains with quality health care. This care is personalized to both you and the family, so you get exactly what you need to achieve these goals.
This type of care is very family oriented. It can help to take the burden of care off the family, allowing the family to enjoy time with their loved one without having to worry about the day-to-day care. This type of hospice facility can make it more pleasant for everyone involved. There are often no set visiting hours if you are at a clinic and they do strive to keep the families together for as long as possible.
They hire caring health care professionals and have some of the most sensitive people in the industry. Many of these caregivers truly care about their patients
and work hard to ensure that the care they give is excellent and done gently. In many cases, the staff gives care beyond just performing a duty. They truly care and it shows.
Spiritual care is also attended to. While the facility itself does not offer religious counseling, it can place the patient in contact with members of their own faith to keep them connected to their own individual spirituality. They will help plan for funerals and offer therapy to cope with death and loss to everyone involved.
They try hard to provide this service in your own home. Many people find this to be one of the most appealing things about the care. If you have to be in an extended care hospice, but would prefer to be at home, they will make every effort to move you there if it is at all possible. They will try their best to follow any wishes about your care you may have.
They also provide bereavement help. The surviving family members can take advantage of the comfort and support the staff offers and they can make the process of death easier to the ones left behind. They can put the family in touch with groups that can offer grief counseling, and many times will do this themselves before the patient dies so that the survivors can accept the death.
The meaning of hospice counseling is end of life care, but it can be a comforting choice to make. Families are allowed to spend as much time with their loved ones as they want, and they give a better quality to the life by providing this hospice. From patient care to bereavement care, this can be a good choice to make.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Hospice is for the Living
For most people, the word "hospice" conjures up one thought - death. Yet in the years I have worked for hospice, I cannot ever remember caring for a dead person. The people cared for by hospice are very much alive - and most want to live as fully and as comfortably as possible until the last moment.
This quote, from an article on The Journal, does an excellent job of describing the idea behind hospice. It is important for patients and their families to understand that accepting hospice care is not about giving up hope, but enjoying life and everything it has to offer.
This quote, from an article on The Journal, does an excellent job of describing the idea behind hospice. It is important for patients and their families to understand that accepting hospice care is not about giving up hope, but enjoying life and everything it has to offer.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Hospice Care Extends Life
Dealing with the realities of death is often difficult, but when the conditions are right, making the choice to commit to hospice care can extend patient's lives. St. Louis Today reports:
One study at the University of Michigan showed that cancer patients who chose palliative care that relieved their symptoms lived 39 days more than those who continued to receive aggressive care from their oncologist. A study done by the Kaiser Permanente showed that palliative care not only cost less but improved satisfaction during the dying period.
While it is always the choice of the individual and their loved ones, there are many statistics to support the benefits for patients who enter hospice programs.
One study at the University of Michigan showed that cancer patients who chose palliative care that relieved their symptoms lived 39 days more than those who continued to receive aggressive care from their oncologist. A study done by the Kaiser Permanente showed that palliative care not only cost less but improved satisfaction during the dying period.
While it is always the choice of the individual and their loved ones, there are many statistics to support the benefits for patients who enter hospice programs.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Curative Hospice Care
Since 2007 Congress and Medicare have realized that, with medical advances such as the CT-Scan, PET-Scan, open heart and by-pass surgery, radiation and chemotherapy that Medicare could not insist that hospice patients cannot take advantage of these possibilities, while fighting his or her disease. Medicare and private insurers adopted an "open access" policy, admitting into hospice-for curative and/or palliative treatment, as long as a doctor said they had no more than six months to live.
Thus hospice has become a comprehensive health care program for the seriously ill, who may or may not be close to death. Indeed, as I have learned, it is not at all rare that a beneficiary can get well enough to graduate from hospice.
This quote from a Huffington Post article describes a major change in hospice care that many are still completely unaware of. No longer must patients choose whether or not to give up curative treatment in return for the comfort and care provided by hospice, they are now able to undergo procedures and treatments that have a chance of improving their prognosis as well. With the ability to provide for physical and mental comfort at home or in a center, combined with the recent changes encouraging curative care as well, hospice is the right choice.
Thus hospice has become a comprehensive health care program for the seriously ill, who may or may not be close to death. Indeed, as I have learned, it is not at all rare that a beneficiary can get well enough to graduate from hospice.
This quote from a Huffington Post article describes a major change in hospice care that many are still completely unaware of. No longer must patients choose whether or not to give up curative treatment in return for the comfort and care provided by hospice, they are now able to undergo procedures and treatments that have a chance of improving their prognosis as well. With the ability to provide for physical and mental comfort at home or in a center, combined with the recent changes encouraging curative care as well, hospice is the right choice.
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