Sunday, August 9, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Health Care Reform Dispute
Article posted at http://hospice.yolasite.com and click on archives for pdf download.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Hospice News
Check out this website I found at hospicevolunteers.slinkset.com
This site is a culmination of the hospice feeds that come from twitter, facebook, hospice and palliative care blog, etc. Join and comment.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
me2everyone.com
via me2everyone.com
PLEASE TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS TO VISIT
www.me2everyone.com/508735
Morris Institute of Human Values: Tom Morris
Aristotle had it right. Tom Morris speaks with Matt Lauer regarding philosophy, the corporate world and Tom's book "If Aristotle Ran General Motors".
Friday, July 10, 2009
Hospice patients and caregivers face budget cuts | WWAY NewsChannel 3 | Wilmington NC News
via wwaytv3.com
Hospice patients and caregivers face budget cuts. Hospice caregivers across the country are concerned. The vast majority of hospice patients are Medicare recipients, and the Medicare program is facing budget cuts. The non-profit is going to the White House to make sure it still has the funds it needs to provide quality care.
Community Cookbook Fail « FAIL Blog: Pictures and Videos of Owned, Pwnd and Fail Moments
via failblog.org
Fail Blog does it again.. . cookbook entitled "Recipes to Remember" by the Alzheimer Society.
Dying With ‘Discernment’ - The New Old Age Blog
Jane Gross writes in today’s Times about the Sisters of St. Joseph, a congregation in Pittsford, N.Y., whose approach to aging and dying provides insights into many changes that experts say are needed in end-of-life care.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Work Life Tips » Charities that accept Vehicle Donations: American Hospice Foundation – Car Donation Charities Tips
Check out this website I found at work-life.popocat.com
Charities that accept Vehicle Donations
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Life as a Hospice Patient: Alternative therapies
Check out this website I found at judi-lifeasahospicepatient.blogspot.com
I encourage all hospice staff to follow along on Judi's blog. Life as a Hospice Patient gives some good indicators of daily living with dying. Today's post is about alternative therapies and should be of particular interest to anyone wanting to effectively manage pain with non-pharmacologic measures.
Facebook | Robin M. Watts
Check out this website I found at facebook.com
ok, so it's my site; would love to have you join me and discuss the possibilities that hospice benefits bring to our communities. I can't believe it took me so long to put my user name on Facebook! Anyway, it's done now. Look forward to hearing from you.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Help stop Medicare cuts affecting hospice care
Recently, more than 3,500 members of the hospice community sent a letter to President Obama asking for his immediate action to stop the Medicare rate cuts enacted by the previous administration. Hospice offers a dignified and compassionate way for a patient to spend precious time at home surrounded by loved ones at the end of life. Last year, more than 1.4 million Americans chose hospice, but access to this high-quality end-of-life care is being threatened by funding cuts set to begin in a matter of weeks. These cuts will actually cost taxpayers more money than what the cuts were intended to save. A study by Duke University found that hospice reduces Medicare costs by more than $2,300 per patient, amounting to more than $2 billion in savings each year. If action is not taken by the Obama administration, hospice programs nationwide will be forced to scale back services or even close their doors permanently. Congress issued a moratorium on these cuts earlier this year, but it expires on Sept. 30. That's why action to permanently eliminate the funding cuts needs to be taken now. In a time when policy makers are looking for models of high-quality and cost-efficient health care, they need to look no further than hospice. But, to ensure that this compassionate and high quality end-of-life care is available for future generations, we need to raise our voices and protest impending cut in services. Speak up for those who can't speak for themselves. Call the White House Comment Line at (202) 456-1111, and urge the Obama administration to stop the hospice funding cuts. David B. Clarke President & CEO Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley Newton Commissioners, residents fight for Cape Hatteras Residents and visitors of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area continue to be denied public access to key portions of the most popular area beaches because of a federal court-ordered consent decree. The court order is the result of three environmental groups filing a damaging and expensive lawsuit against the National Park Service, which manages the recreational area. This lawsuit has had a devastating effect on the local, tourism-based economy. "Our people have always been faithful stewards of the environment," said Warren Judge, chairman of the Board of Commissioners for Dare County, where most of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore is located. "Long before a few environmentalists targeted our area," he said, "the residents and visitors of Hatteras Island worked diligently with the National Park Service to protect wildlife based on scientific principles and sound management practices. The environmentalists are trying to fix something that wasn't broken." Board Vice Chairman Allen Burrus contends, "Our people, who were the first to care about the environment, are now being ruined because of the consent decree. "We need to take proper care of the birds, but we also have to do what is right for people. Children should not see their parents go bankrupt because of some birds that are not even endangered." The campaign to preserve access to America's beaches is sponsored by the Dare County Board of Commissioners in partnership with the Dare County Tourism Board. This public awareness campaign informs people across the nation about the struggle on Cape Hatteras, and the vulnerability of beaches, parks and public lands everywhere to damaging lawsuits by environmental activists. Gary Gross www.PreserveBeachAccess.org Manteo Recently, more than 3,500 members of the hospice community sent a letter to President Obama asking for his immediate action to stop the Medicare rate cuts enacted by the previous administration
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Hospice Info - Volunteering and Hospice
Check out this website at hospicefoundation.org
The 400,000 plus hospice volunteers at work in hospices throughout the U.S. are an essential part of the hospice philosophy of care which recognizes that dying is not just a medical event but a personal one as well. These volunteers are important members of an interdisciplinary team working to “de-institutionalize” the dying experience and provide a more humane system of care for the dying and their families. In fact, federal law requires that at least 5% of patient care hours be provided by volunteers (if the hospice receives Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.)
TV Series and Website Seeking Stories on How We Die : KindEthics.com
via kindethics.com
TV Series and Website Seeking Stories on How We Die. This is a really good site - KindEthics.com. I have thoroughly enjoyed the newsletter subscription.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
How To Get Involved With Hospice (Health & Wellbeing: Hospice)
via videojug.com
Great intro for hospice volunteers. Although I found this video made for an individual hospice, the training precept is the same for most all hospice agencies. http://www.videojug.com/interview/how-to-get-involved-with-hospice
Hospice Volunteer Training Online - Choosing the Path of Service
Once you have signed up for the hospice volunteer training course at www.volunteertrainingonline.com , come on over to the community site and share your innovative ideas about volunteering.
Hospice Volunteer Training Online
Untitled
Finally got away to just enjoy the day - I rode a Harley! Even us old women know how to enjoy life.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Course site
The hospice volunteer training online sites are as listed:
www.volunteertrainingonline.com
www.volunteertrainingonline.com/courses
www.hospice.volunteertrainingonline.com (wordpress blog)
www.hospicevolunteertraining.webs.com
Any of these sites will lead you to the hospice volunteer training program. The course consists of 11 modules following the Medicare Conditions of Participation. As of today, hundreds of people have taken the course and given more than positive feedback.
I hear from people how their listening skills have improved, their willingness to be of service enhanced, and their positive outlook on a search for ways to be of service to those in need.
Agencies contracting with HVTO are given their own individual site and pay only for the volunteers that train for the month that the agency assigns. All it takes to get started as a hospice agency is to request the service agreement which basically states that you agree to pay for the volunteers you assign to train and pay 2 weeks after the end of the billing date (billing is for the month at $10 per person).
Any questions or comments may be sent to:
robin@volunteertrainingonline.com
I look forward to working with anyone who has the heart for service.
www.volunteertrainingonline.com
www.volunteertrainingonline.com/courses
www.hospice.volunteertrainingonline.com (wordpress blog)
www.hospicevolunteertraining.webs.com
Any of these sites will lead you to the hospice volunteer training program. The course consists of 11 modules following the Medicare Conditions of Participation. As of today, hundreds of people have taken the course and given more than positive feedback.
I hear from people how their listening skills have improved, their willingness to be of service enhanced, and their positive outlook on a search for ways to be of service to those in need.
Agencies contracting with HVTO are given their own individual site and pay only for the volunteers that train for the month that the agency assigns. All it takes to get started as a hospice agency is to request the service agreement which basically states that you agree to pay for the volunteers you assign to train and pay 2 weeks after the end of the billing date (billing is for the month at $10 per person).
Any questions or comments may be sent to:
robin@volunteertrainingonline.com
I look forward to working with anyone who has the heart for service.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Research - Studies About Grief
I am looking for studies and/or research papers on physical symptoms related to grief/loss of a loved one. Please send me the link to any relevant sites or post your personal assessment or experiences.
Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog: Hospice Volunteer Training Ethical Issues
The ethical situations confronting the newly trained volunteer must usually be addressed as they occur. One of the reasons I developed the online training course was to get the educational core presented quickly so that the volunteer could immediately begin acquiring the skills to cope with ethical situations. The following article explains the importance of face to face training as well as continuing education and support: Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog: Hospice Volunteer Training Ethical Issues
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Hospice Chaplain Quits and God Is Involved
In an article Howard Goodman |South Florida Sun-Sentinel, March 18, 2009, the headlines stretch out to get our attention that God has been banned once again. At the time of this post, there were over 665 comments on the Sun Sentinel site blasting the hospice and how this country is on a downward spiral.
Please take a look at the response before rendering this country an un-Godly bunch.
Please take a look at the response before rendering this country an un-Godly bunch.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Now to get the word out about Volunteer Training!
Here comes the tricky part. The hospice volunteer training online program is in full swing and I am excited, elated, telling everyone about the impact this one idea can have on hospice.
It is usually at this point in my excitement that I go a little overboard in my emails and face-to-face visits. I eat, sleep, and live for the chance to tell people how awesome it is going to be to have volunteers sign up immediately at the point of interest and begin their training.
That is why I am posting here today. If I let all this energy come out on this page, maybe I won't get in trouble for spamming someone.
On the other hand, it is with good intentions (and the road to you know where is paved with them) so I may be allowed a little slack from those who I approach and begin blabbering about how good this is.
One day you turn 50, and all of a sudden it is imperative that you make your mark on the world. Actually I have been wanting to make my mark on the world since I was 3, it just took another 47 years to figure out how.
If anyone wants to help this old lady by empathizing with the excitement, please feel free to visit the site:
Hospice Volunteer Training Online
It is usually at this point in my excitement that I go a little overboard in my emails and face-to-face visits. I eat, sleep, and live for the chance to tell people how awesome it is going to be to have volunteers sign up immediately at the point of interest and begin their training.
That is why I am posting here today. If I let all this energy come out on this page, maybe I won't get in trouble for spamming someone.
On the other hand, it is with good intentions (and the road to you know where is paved with them) so I may be allowed a little slack from those who I approach and begin blabbering about how good this is.
One day you turn 50, and all of a sudden it is imperative that you make your mark on the world. Actually I have been wanting to make my mark on the world since I was 3, it just took another 47 years to figure out how.
If anyone wants to help this old lady by empathizing with the excitement, please feel free to visit the site:
Hospice Volunteer Training Online
Monday, March 2, 2009
As almost always happens, I get really energized by having company, and felt so much better than I had when I first got up, and have continued to feel well for the rest of the day.
This is from the blogpost "Life as A Hospice Patient". It is what I envision volunteers doing for hospice patients. In this case it was friends visiting, bringing well thought out gifts, and ending in a fortune cookie reading of "If you don't have time to live your life now, when do you?"
I think volunteer visits should bring just as much energy to the patient as a visit from a friend. What do you think?
This is from the blogpost "Life as A Hospice Patient". It is what I envision volunteers doing for hospice patients. In this case it was friends visiting, bringing well thought out gifts, and ending in a fortune cookie reading of "If you don't have time to live your life now, when do you?"
I think volunteer visits should bring just as much energy to the patient as a visit from a friend. What do you think?
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Communication Nation: How to listen
The online training program is ready!
I am too excited about it...posting everywhere because I know this will make an impact across the nation. The more people involved in the knowledge of hospice care the more people that will benefit from those services. I added one more item to the "Communication" module today from the following link;
Communication Nation: How to listen
I hope I can learn to listen as well as I teach it.
I am too excited about it...posting everywhere because I know this will make an impact across the nation. The more people involved in the knowledge of hospice care the more people that will benefit from those services. I added one more item to the "Communication" module today from the following link;
Communication Nation: How to listen
I hope I can learn to listen as well as I teach it.
Friday, February 27, 2009
On Hospice Training - day 6 you can read how a day in the face to face training goes.
I find it interesting that each hospice has specific educational tools for in person training and all I have found seem very good. The core courses, as taught in the online course are the basics for getting the advanced education you will receive in instructor based training.
The online training is an excellent guide to the history and philosophy of hospice, the infection control and confidentiality, etc. I feel it leaves room for more personalization in the classroom once the basics are covered.
The above mentioned post reflects the great information studied and learned as you get into the later stages of training
I find it interesting that each hospice has specific educational tools for in person training and all I have found seem very good. The core courses, as taught in the online course are the basics for getting the advanced education you will receive in instructor based training.
The online training is an excellent guide to the history and philosophy of hospice, the infection control and confidentiality, etc. I feel it leaves room for more personalization in the classroom once the basics are covered.
The above mentioned post reflects the great information studied and learned as you get into the later stages of training
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Divers and Sundry: I'm a hospice volunteer!
I am more excited than ever about the hospice volunteer online training program.
When I read items like this one posted in Divers and Sundry blog I know that having access to a volunteer program immediately after the inquiry is a most valuable service.
Divers and Sundry: I'm a hospice volunteer!
When I read items like this one posted in Divers and Sundry blog I know that having access to a volunteer program immediately after the inquiry is a most valuable service.
Divers and Sundry: I'm a hospice volunteer!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Hospice Blog: Hospice in the Stimulus Bill
Volunteers can keep up to date on the political side of hospice and help in making the community aware of changes in our health care system. Hospiceblog does a great job of informing us of regulatory and medical topics of interest and I felt it was important to link them to this blog. The post on their site is short and sweet today but it refers you to some interesting information
Hospice Blog: Hospice in the Stimulus Bill
Hospice Blog: Hospice in the Stimulus Bill
Monday, February 16, 2009
Why volunteer?
400,000 hospice volunteers can explain why they continue to be involved in hospice service. For some it is the obvious reasons of doing good for others. Ultimately volunteers will say they get more than they receive. The words melt into everyday conversations without much fanfare but contain the secret to living a fulfilled life. As the golden rule says, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" but do we realize that often what we do unto others we are truly doing to ourselves?
As volunteers help those who are facing life limiting illnesses find their power in the moments of living, they strengthen themselves to become more tolerant, less judgmental, and abundantly grateful.
As a volunteer for hospice, what is your reason for volunteering?
As volunteers help those who are facing life limiting illnesses find their power in the moments of living, they strengthen themselves to become more tolerant, less judgmental, and abundantly grateful.
As a volunteer for hospice, what is your reason for volunteering?
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Hospice Volunteer Training Online
After an extensive search of online training programs for hospice volunteers, I finally found one - mine.
I found a few programs that were excellent in content but the training would still have to completely be done in a face to face setting.
Much of the initial work of hospice volunteer training consists of the core concepts. Volunteer coordinators spend countless hours preparing for training sessions and by the time a facility is acquired, mailings and calls are made, and staff lined up to assist in the training, some of the prospective volunteers have already lost interest or are obligated elsewhere.
I thought it would be a great idea to cover the core courses with online training that would allow prospective volunteers the opportunity to begin training on their own from their computer....
Thus the birth of Hospice Volunteer Training Online.
I hope volunteer coordinators from around the country can benefit from offering an immediate solution to training needs. The release of this program will be March 1st, 2009.
Between now and March 1st, I will be posting the status of the online course and accepting inquiries at hospicevolunteertraining@gmail.com
The excitement of the potential of this program has made it easy to complete the course curriculum. Unless someone can point to another program like this, I am assuming this will be the very first online training for hospice volunteers.
How exciting is that?
I found a few programs that were excellent in content but the training would still have to completely be done in a face to face setting.
Much of the initial work of hospice volunteer training consists of the core concepts. Volunteer coordinators spend countless hours preparing for training sessions and by the time a facility is acquired, mailings and calls are made, and staff lined up to assist in the training, some of the prospective volunteers have already lost interest or are obligated elsewhere.
I thought it would be a great idea to cover the core courses with online training that would allow prospective volunteers the opportunity to begin training on their own from their computer....
Thus the birth of Hospice Volunteer Training Online.
I hope volunteer coordinators from around the country can benefit from offering an immediate solution to training needs. The release of this program will be March 1st, 2009.
Between now and March 1st, I will be posting the status of the online course and accepting inquiries at hospicevolunteertraining@gmail.com
The excitement of the potential of this program has made it easy to complete the course curriculum. Unless someone can point to another program like this, I am assuming this will be the very first online training for hospice volunteers.
How exciting is that?
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