Covenant Hospice RSS Feed

Covenant Hospice RSS Feed Covenant Hospice http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rss Covenant Hospice http://www.covenanthospice.org/tresources/en/images/icons/tendenci34x15.gif http://www.covenanthospice.org Covenant Hospice and Podcast Copyright 2010 Covenant Hospice Tendenci Association Software by Schipul - The Web Marketing Company en-us Covenant Hospice Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:56:24 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/636 Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/636"> <span class="summary">Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training</span> </a><br/> <span class="tdtstart">Start Date:</span> <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100323T150000Z">Mar 23, 2010 10:00 AM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tdtend">End Time:</span> <abbr class="dtend" title="20100323T170000Z">Mar 23, 2010 12:00 PM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tlocation">Location:</span> <span class="location"> Covenant Hospice Daphne Branch, Daphne, AL 36526</span> <br/> <span class="tdescription">Event Details:</span> <div class="description">  <p align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial">Patient and Family Support Training</span> </p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial">This eight hour training is required for all volunteers that will have contact with patients and family members.  The first two hours are Covenant Hospice Volunteer Orientation, required for all volunteers. Six additional hours of training are required for Patient and Family Volunteers. This training includes the following topics: Clinical Care and Comfort, Psychosocial/Spiritual Care, Grief and Bereavement, Communication Skills and Volunteer Documentation.</span></p> <p> </p></div> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="url fn" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org">Covenant Hospice Daphne Branch <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">6475 Van Buren Street, Suite 201</div> <span class="locality">Daphne</span>, <span class="region">AL</span> <span class="postal-code">36526</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/636 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:00:00 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/640 Denim & Diamonds <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/640"> <span class="summary">Denim & Diamonds</span> </a><br/> <span class="tdtstart">Start Date:</span> <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100327T000000Z">Mar 26, 2010 7:00 PM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tdtend">End Time:</span> <abbr class="dtend" title="20100327T040000Z">Mar 26, 2010 11:00 PM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tlocation">Location:</span> <span class="location"> Oak Hollow Farm, Fairhope, AL 36532-5632</span> <br/> <span class="tdescription">Event Details:</span> <div class="description"><p>An exciting event is coming this spring! Dust off your boots, shine your diamonds and throw on your favorite pair of jeans. It's time for a boot scootin' good time! Join <strong>Dan and Shelby of 95 KSJ</strong> as they host Denim & Diamonds on <strong>Friday, March 26, 2010 at Oak Hollow Farm in Fairhope</strong>. </p> <div>The evening will include delicious food, a silent auction with fabulous items and even a "diamond dig." You can also dance the night away to live music by <em><strong>gritsNpieces</strong></em>. Denim and glitzy western attire are recommended for the event. </div> <div> </div> <div>For more information or ticket purchase, <a href="http://support.covenanthospice.org/denim/index.html">visit the Denim & Diamonds website.</a></div></div> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="url fn" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org">Oak Hollow Farm <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">14210 South Greeno Road</div> <span class="locality">Fairhope</span>, <span class="region">AL</span> <span class="postal-code">36532-5632</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/640 Sat, 27 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/660 Jug Fishing Tournament <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/660"> <span class="summary">Jug Fishing Tournament</span> </a><br/> <span class="tdtstart">Start Date:</span> <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100327T230000Z">Mar 27, 2010 6:00 PM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tdtend">End Time:</span> <abbr class="dtend" title="20100328T030000Z">Mar 27, 2010 10:00 PM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tlocation">Location:</span> <span class="location"> Lake Point Marina Boatramp, Eufaula, Alabama </span> <br/> <span class="tdescription">Event Details:</span> <div class="description"><div><img height="193" alt="Jug Fishing Tournament" src="/attachments/wysiwyg/1/fish.jpg" width="400" border="0" /></div> <div> </div> <div>March 27, 2010 - 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Lake Point Marina Boatramp in Eufaula, Alabama.  </div> <ul><li>Catfish dinners from 4:00 - 6:00 pm</li><li>Great music</li><li>Entry fee only $40 per team</li><li>Proceeds benefit Covenant Hospice</li><li>Champions receive a pair of embroidered jackets donated by Bobby & Laura Devane of Devane's Designs, Custom Embroidery.  </li></ul> <div><font color="#000000">Tournament Payback:</font></div> <ul><li>1st place: $600</li><li>2nd place: $300</li><li>3rd place: $125</li><li>4th place: $75</li><li>25th place: $100</li><li>Big Fish: $100</li><li>Small Fish: $100</li><li>Male/Female Team: $100</li><li>Child/Adult Team: $100</li></ul> <div><font color="#000000"><a href="/attachments/files/220/LegalFlyer1.pdf"><font color="#000000">Download the full tournament rules here.  </font></a></font> <div> </div> <div><a title="Entry Form" href="/attachments/wysiwyg/1/entry.pdf">Entry Form</a></div> <div> </div> <div> </div></div> <div> </div> <div> </div></div> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="url fn" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org">Lake Point Marina Boatramp </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/660 Sat, 27 Mar 2010 23:00:00 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/661 Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training-DAY ONE <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/661"> <span class="summary">Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training-DAY ONE</span> </a><br/> <span class="tdtstart">Start Date:</span> <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100412T140000Z">Apr 12, 2010 9:00 AM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tdtend">End Time:</span> <abbr class="dtend" title="20100412T180000Z">Apr 12, 2010 1:00 PM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tlocation">Location:</span> <span class="location"> Jay Community Center, Jay, FL </span> <br/> <span class="tdescription">Event Details:</span> <div class="description">  <p align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial">Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training-DAY ONE</span> </p> <p align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial">This eight hour training is required for all volunteers that will have contact with patients and family members.  The first two hours are Covenant Hospice Volunteer Orientation, required for all volunteers. Six additional hours of training are required for Patient and Family Volunteers. This training includes the following topics: Clinical Care and Comfort, Psychosocial/Spiritual Care, Grief and Bereavement, Communication Skills and Volunteer Documentation.</span></p> <div> </div> <div>THIS IS DAY ONE OF A TWO DAY TRAINING.</div></div> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="url fn" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org">Jay Community Center <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">5259 Booker Lane</div> <span class="locality">Jay</span>, <span class="region">FL</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/661 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:00:00 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/643 Teen Volunteer Training <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/643"> <span class="summary">Teen Volunteer Training</span> </a><br/> <span class="tdtstart">Start Date:</span> <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100413T140000Z">Apr 13, 2010 9:00 AM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tdtend">End Time:</span> <abbr class="dtend" title="20100413T160000Z">Apr 13, 2010 11:00 AM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tlocation">Location:</span> <span class="location"> Covenant Hospice Brewton Office, Brewton, AL 36426</span> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="url fn" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org">Covenant Hospice Brewton Office <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">1023 Douglas Avenue Suite 204</div> <span class="locality">Brewton</span>, <span class="region">AL</span> <span class="postal-code">36426</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/643 Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:00:00 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/664 Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training- DAY TWO <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/664"> <span class="summary">Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training- DAY TWO</span> </a><br/> <span class="tdtstart">Start Date:</span> <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100414T140000Z">Apr 14, 2010 9:00 AM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tdtend">End Time:</span> <abbr class="dtend" title="20100414T180000Z">Apr 14, 2010 1:00 PM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tlocation">Location:</span> <span class="location"> Jay Community Center, Jay, FL </span> <br/> <span class="tdescription">Event Details:</span> <div class="description">  <p align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial">Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training-DAY TWO</span></p> <p> </p> <div><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial">This eight hour training is required for all volunteers that will have contact with patients and family members.  The first two hours are Covenant Hospice Volunteer Orientation, required for all volunteers. Six additional hours of training are required for Patient and Family Volunteers. This training includes the following topics: Clinical Care and Comfort, Psychosocial/Spiritual Care, Grief and Bereavement, Communication Skills and Volunteer Documentation</span> <div> </div> <div>THIS IS DAY TWO OF A TWO DAY TRAINING.</div></div></div> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="url fn" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org">Jay Community Center <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">5259 Booker Lane</div> <span class="locality">Jay</span>, <span class="region">FL</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/664 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:00:00 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/648 Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/648"> <span class="summary">Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training</span> </a><br/> <span class="tdtstart">Start Date:</span> <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100422T130000Z">Apr 22, 2010 9:00 AM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tdtend">End Time:</span> <abbr class="dtend" title="20100422T210000Z">Apr 22, 2010 5:00 PM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tlocation">Location:</span> <span class="location"> Covenant Hospice Tallahassee Branch, Tallahassee, FL 32308</span> <br/> <span class="tdescription">Event Details:</span> <div class="description"><p><font face="Arial">  </p> <p align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial">Patient and Family Support Training</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial">This eight hour training is required for all volunteers that will have contact with patients and family members.  The first two hours are Covenant Hospice Volunteer Orientation, required for all volunteers. Six additional hours of training are required for Patient and Family Volunteers. This training includes the following topics: Clinical Care and Comfort, Psychosocial/Spiritual Care, Grief and Bereavement, Communication Skills and Volunteer Documentation.</span></p> <p></font> </p></div> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="url fn" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org">Covenant Hospice Tallahassee Branch <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">1545 Raymond Diehl Road</div> <span class="locality">Tallahassee</span>, <span class="region">FL</span> <span class="postal-code">32308</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/648 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:00:00 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/666 Remembrance Celebration <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/666"> <span class="summary">Remembrance Celebration</span> </a><br/> <span class="tdtstart">Start Date:</span> <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100425T190000Z">Apr 25, 2010 2:00 PM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tdtend">End Time:</span> <abbr class="dtend" title="20100425T210000Z">Apr 25, 2010 4:00 PM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tlocation">Location:</span> <span class="location"> Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, Niceville, FL 32578</span> <br/> <span class="tdescription">Event Details:</span> <div class="description"><div>This Celebration of Life includes inspirational readings, music, and a candle lighting ceremony. Participants are invited to bring a photo of their deceased loved one to be displayed on our picture board and acknowledged by their name being read.</div></div> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="url fn" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org">Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">1200 Valparaiso Blvd</div> <span class="locality">Niceville</span>, <span class="region">FL</span> <span class="country-name">USA</span> <span class="postal-code">32578</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/666 Sun, 25 Apr 2010 19:00:00 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/644 Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/644"> <span class="summary">Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training</span> </a><br/> <span class="tdtstart">Start Date:</span> <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100427T140000Z">Apr 27, 2010 9:00 AM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tdtend">End Time:</span> <abbr class="dtend" title="20100427T180000Z">Apr 27, 2010 1:00 PM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tlocation">Location:</span> <span class="location"> Covenant Hospice Pensacola Branch, Pensacola, FL 32501</span> <br/> <span class="tdescription">Event Details:</span> <div class="description">  <p align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial">Patient and Family Support Training-<strong>DAY ONE</strong></span></p> <div><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial">This eight hour training is required for all volunteers that will have contact with patients and family members.  The first two hours are Covenant Hospice Volunteer Orientation, required for all volunteers. Six additional hours of training are required for Patient and Family Volunteers. This training includes the following topics: Clinical Care and Comfort, Psychosocial/Spiritual Care, Grief and Bereavement, Communication Skills and Volunteer Documentation.</span> <div> </div> <div><strong>THIS IS DAY ONE OF A TWO DAY TRAINING</strong>.</div></div></div> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="url fn" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org">Covenant Hospice Pensacola Branch <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">2001 North Palafox Street</div> <span class="locality">Pensacola</span>, <span class="region">FL</span> <span class="postal-code">32501</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/644 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:00:00 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/645 Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training-DAY TWO <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/645"> <span class="summary">Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training-DAY TWO</span> </a><br/> <span class="tdtstart">Start Date:</span> <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100430T140000Z">Apr 30, 2010 9:00 AM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tdtend">End Time:</span> <abbr class="dtend" title="20100430T180000Z">Apr 30, 2010 1:00 PM</abbr> <br/> <span class="tlocation">Location:</span> <span class="location"> Covenant Hospice Pensacola Branch, Pensacola, FL 32501</span> <br/> <span class="tdescription">Event Details:</span> <div class="description">  <p align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial">Patient and Family Support Training-<strong>DAY TWO</strong></span><strong> </strong></p> <div><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial">This eight hour training is required for all volunteers that will have contact with patients and family members.  The first two hours are Covenant Hospice Volunteer Orientation, required for all volunteers. Six additional hours of training are required for Patient and Family Volunteers. This training includes the following topics: Clinical Care and Comfort, Psychosocial/Spiritual Care, Grief and Bereavement, Communication Skills and Volunteer Documentation.</span> <div> </div> <div><strong>THS IS DAY TWO OF A TWO DAY TRAINING.</strong></div></div></div> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="url fn" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org">Covenant Hospice Pensacola Branch <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">2001 North Palafox Street</div> <span class="locality">Pensacola</span>, <span class="region">FL</span> <span class="postal-code">32501</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/645 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:00:00 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/258/ Grief Support Group for Parents <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/258/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100324T210000Z">Mar 24, 2010 4:00 PM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20100324T220000Z">Mar 24, 2010 5:00 PM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="fn">Covenant Hospice <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">101 Hart Street</div> <span class="locality">Niceville</span>, <span class="region">FL</span> <span class="country-name">USA</span> <span class="postal-code">32578</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/258/ Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:28:36 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/220/ Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/220/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100325T130000Z">Mar 25, 2010 9:00 AM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20100325T210000Z">Mar 25, 2010 5:00 PM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="fn">Covenant Hospice Tallahassee Branch <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 102</div> <span class="locality">Tallahassee</span>, <span class="region">FL</span> <span class="postal-code">32308</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/220/ Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:00:15 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/259/ Grief Support Group for Parents <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/259/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100331T210000Z">Mar 31, 2010 4:00 PM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20100331T220000Z">Mar 31, 2010 5:00 PM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="fn">Covenant Hospice <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">101 Hart Street</div> <span class="locality">Niceville</span>, <span class="region">FL</span> <span class="country-name">USA</span> <span class="postal-code">32578</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/259/ Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:28:36 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/376/ Grief Support Group <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/376/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100407T160000Z">Apr 7, 2010 11:00 AM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20100407T170000Z">Apr 7, 2010 12:00 PM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="fn">Destin United Methodist Church <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">200 Beach Dr</div> <span class="locality">Destin</span>, <span class="region">FL</span> <span class="country-name">USA</span> <span class="postal-code">32541</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/376/ Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:36:14 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/260/ Grief Support Group for Parents <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/260/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100407T210000Z">Apr 7, 2010 4:00 PM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20100407T220000Z">Apr 7, 2010 5:00 PM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="fn">Covenant Hospice <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">101 Hart Street</div> <span class="locality">Niceville</span>, <span class="region">FL</span> <span class="country-name">USA</span> <span class="postal-code">32578</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/260/ Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:28:36 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/244/ Grief Support Group <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/244/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100408T163000Z">Apr 8, 2010 11:30 AM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20100408T173000Z">Apr 8, 2010 12:30 PM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="fn">Destin United Methodist Church <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">200 Beach Drive</div> <span class="locality">Destin</span>, <span class="region">FL</span> <span class="country-name">USA</span> <span class="postal-code">32541</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/244/ Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:25:19 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/377/ Grief Support Group <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/377/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100414T160000Z">Apr 14, 2010 11:00 AM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20100414T170000Z">Apr 14, 2010 12:00 PM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="fn">Destin United Methodist Church <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">200 Beach Dr</div> <span class="locality">Destin</span>, <span class="region">FL</span> <span class="country-name">USA</span> <span class="postal-code">32541</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/377/ Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:36:14 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/261/ Grief Support Group for Parents <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/261/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100414T210000Z">Apr 14, 2010 4:00 PM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20100414T220000Z">Apr 14, 2010 5:00 PM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="fn">Covenant Hospice <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">101 Hart Street</div> <span class="locality">Niceville</span>, <span class="region">FL</span> <span class="country-name">USA</span> <span class="postal-code">32578</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/261/ Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:28:36 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/319/ Grief Support Group <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/319/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100420T160000Z">Apr 20, 2010 11:00 AM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20100420T170000Z">Apr 20, 2010 12:00 PM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="fn">First United Methodist Church <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">214 S. Partin Dr</div> <span class="locality">Niceville</span>, <span class="region">FL</span> <span class="postal-code">32578</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/319/ Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:52:31 GMT Events http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/378/ Grief Support Group <div class="vevent"> <a class="url" href="http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/378/"> </a><br/> Start Date: <abbr class="dtstart" title="20100421T160000Z">Apr 21, 2010 11:00 AM</abbr> <br/> End Time: <abbr class="dtend" title="20100421T170000Z">Apr 21, 2010 12:00 PM</abbr> <br/> </div> <br/> <div class="vcard"> <a class="fn">Destin United Methodist Church <br/> <div class="adr"> <div class="street-address">200 Beach Dr</div> <span class="locality">Destin</span>, <span class="region">FL</span> <span class="country-name">USA</span> <span class="postal-code">32541</span> </div> </a></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cev/r/dt/378/ Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:36:14 GMT Articles http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/44/ Common Hospice Myths <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Hospice is often misunderstood. Sometimes it’s even misunderstood by experts. It is obvious that if even the medical community does not fully understand some facts about hospice, then the public certainly might not know the facts.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Several points come to mind. Perhaps we could call these “hospice myths.” You know, a myth is some mythical story or belief that may not be true. Well, some hospice myths really need to be put to rest.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><strong>Myth: Hospice is a place.</strong> Most patients and families believe when they hear about hospice care they think they have to go somewhere to receive that care. In fact, not myth, some hospice organizations do have a hospice house. A place or a unit where patients with incurable disease can go to receive care. But that’s not the norm. The norm is that hospice is a service, not a place, and hospice will come to the patient, their home, their nursing home, their assisted living. We even have a patient who is homeless and lets us know where to meet him to provide the care he requires.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><strong>Myth: The hospice myth that patients will die immediately when hospice care begins. </strong> This is commonly held as a fact but indeed it is a myth, not based on truth at all. Medicare provides the guidance here. Patients who doctors believe can live up to six months have the opportunity to enroll in hospice and take advantage of hospice care for many weeks, even many months. Now it is true that some patients come to hospice very, very late in their disease and they may live only a short time. Often we hear from these patients and their families “if only we had known about hospice earlier we would have signed up”.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><strong>Myth: Hospice patients have to give up their own doctor. </strong> This is absolutely a myth. Hospice invites family doctors, personal doctors, to continue care of their patients when that patient is enrolled in hospice. Some of the better hospice organizations do have doctors that can make patient visits. But they never interfere with the private doctor and patient relationship.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><strong>Myth: Hospice is only for cancer patients.</strong> Well, this is not exactly a myth. In the very beginning of hospice most patients were cancer patients. But, over time patients with other diseases—diabetes, heart disease, stroke, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s realized that there was a great benefit from hospice care. Now days there are more non-cancer patients enrolled in hospice than there are cancer patients.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><strong>Myth: Hospice is too expensive for most families. </strong> This is a myth. Hospice is a Medicare benefit. That means that Congress has passed laws that say that people who are on Social Security or are receiving Medicare can have hospice care. It is a 100% benefit; anything related to the terminal diagnosis is paid for by Medicare. Many private insurances also have a hospice benefit and for folks younger than Medicare age they may want to check their health insurance plan to see if there is a hospice benefit.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial"><strong>Myth: All hospice organizations are the same.</strong>  Although all hospice programs are governed by the same Medicare rules and regulations, hospices are anything but the same. Covenant Hospice is considered one the largest and most comprehensive hospices in the nation.</span></span> <br><br>Jul 27, 2009 11:30 AM Common Hospice Myths <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Hospice is often misunderstood. Sometimes it’s even misunderstood by experts. It is obvious that if even the medical community does not fully understand some facts about hospice, then the public certainly might not know the facts.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Several points come to mind. Perhaps we could call these “hospice myths.” You know, a myth is some mythical story or belief that may not be true. Well, some hospice myths really need to be put to rest.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><strong>Myth: Hospice is a place.</strong> Most patients and families believe when they hear about hospice care they think they have to go somewhere to receive that care. In fact, not myth, some hospice organizations do have a hospice house. A place or a unit where patients with incurable disease can go to receive care. But that’s not the norm. The norm is that hospice is a service, not a place, and hospice will come to the patient, their home, their nursing home, their assisted living. We even have a patient who is homeless and lets us know where to meet him to provide the care he requires.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><strong>Myth: The hospice myth that patients will die immediately when hospice care begins. </strong> This is commonly held as a fact but indeed it is a myth, not based on truth at all. Medicare provides the guidance here. Patients who doctors believe can live up to six months have the opportunity to enroll in hospice and take advantage of hospice care for many weeks, even many months. Now it is true that some patients come to hospice very, very late in their disease and they may live only a short time. Often we hear from these patients and their families “if only we had known about hospice earlier we would have signed up”.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><strong>Myth: Hospice patients have to give up their own doctor. </strong> This is absolutely a myth. Hospice invites family doctors, personal doctors, to continue care of their patients when that patient is enrolled in hospice. Some of the better hospice organizations do have doctors that can make patient visits. But they never interfere with the private doctor and patient relationship.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><strong>Myth: Hospice is only for cancer patients.</strong> Well, this is not exactly a myth. In the very beginning of hospice most patients were cancer patients. But, over time patients with other diseases—diabetes, heart disease, stroke, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s realized that there was a great benefit from hospice care. Now days there are more non-cancer patients enrolled in hospice than there are cancer patients.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><strong>Myth: Hospice is too expensive for most families. </strong> This is a myth. Hospice is a Medicare benefit. That means that Congress has passed laws that say that people who are on Social Security or are receiving Medicare can have hospice care. It is a 100% benefit; anything related to the terminal diagnosis is paid for by Medicare. Many private insurances also have a hospice benefit and for folks younger than Medicare age they may want to check their health insurance plan to see if there is a hospice benefit.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial"><strong>Myth: All hospice organizations are the same.</strong>  Although all hospice programs are governed by the same Medicare rules and regulations, hospices are anything but the same. Covenant Hospice is considered one the largest and most comprehensive hospices in the nation.</span></span> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/44/ Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:30:00 GMT Articles http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/30/ IDG: A Team Approach to Care <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">A team approach. The most recognized “team” in healthcare is probably the doctor and the nurse. We have all seen them working together to diagnose, treat, and cure. They each have their own specific job. The doctor is the intellectual diagnostician and the nurse is the compassionate caregiver that provides comfort. For hundreds of years this team has worked very well to provide patient care.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">For the best in end of life care, provided by Covenant Hospice, this team approach is taken to a whole new level. The Interdisciplinary Group or IDG is commonly used in the hospice environment. This team approach still includes a doctor, the medical director, and a nurse—often called the clinical manager. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">However, beyond the doctor and nurse, several other individuals are involved in the IDT. Each member of this team has the focus of providing the best quality of life for the remaining days of that patient. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Those other team members include licensed social workers, chaplains, volunteers, bereavement (or grief counselors), and sometimes even family members who all work together to understand that particular patient and their needs. These needs often include medical, social and spiritual. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">This team approach is so important that the entire team meets every two weeks to talk about each patient which the team is caring for and supporting, and not only the patient, but their family as well. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <span style="font-family: Arial">Each member of the team is given the opportunity for input so that the whole team can provide the care that best benefits the patient and their family. Nearing the end of life is sad and stressful, but knowing that there is an entire team there to support and add life to days when days can no longer be added to life is hopeful and comforting.</span> <br><br>Jul 27, 2009 11:15 AM IDG: A Team Approach to Care <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">A team approach. The most recognized “team” in healthcare is probably the doctor and the nurse. We have all seen them working together to diagnose, treat, and cure. They each have their own specific job. The doctor is the intellectual diagnostician and the nurse is the compassionate caregiver that provides comfort. For hundreds of years this team has worked very well to provide patient care.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">For the best in end of life care, provided by Covenant Hospice, this team approach is taken to a whole new level. The Interdisciplinary Group or IDG is commonly used in the hospice environment. This team approach still includes a doctor, the medical director, and a nurse—often called the clinical manager. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">However, beyond the doctor and nurse, several other individuals are involved in the IDT. Each member of this team has the focus of providing the best quality of life for the remaining days of that patient. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Those other team members include licensed social workers, chaplains, volunteers, bereavement (or grief counselors), and sometimes even family members who all work together to understand that particular patient and their needs. These needs often include medical, social and spiritual. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">This team approach is so important that the entire team meets every two weeks to talk about each patient which the team is caring for and supporting, and not only the patient, but their family as well. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <span style="font-family: Arial">Each member of the team is given the opportunity for input so that the whole team can provide the care that best benefits the patient and their family. Nearing the end of life is sad and stressful, but knowing that there is an entire team there to support and add life to days when days can no longer be added to life is hopeful and comforting.</span> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/30/ Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:15:00 GMT Articles http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/32/ Hospice Physician: Not a Replacement <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Whenever there is a discussion of hospice, it can sometimes be a very difficult time. Hospice care means end of life care, and that means the realization that the patient has a life-limiting illness. “Life-limiting” — that’s very profound. Most of us, sometime in our life, have an illness or a medical condition and we don’t expect it to be life-limiting. We go to the doctor, the emergency room, or the hospital. We expect it to be diagnosed, treated, and cured. If it can’t be cured then at least we want that disease or medical condition to be controlled. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">There are many medical conditions that you could name right now that can’t be cured. Conditions like Diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, and many cancers. Medical science is looking, always doing research in hopes of curing these diseases, but at least in this day and age most of these diseases can be controlled. With proper therapies and medications, life can go on and in most cases be enjoyed. But occasionally the disease cannot be cured and cannot be treated effectively. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Eventually, as we grow very old these conditions become life-limiting. Even though knowing that you or someone you love has life limiting illness, it’s hard to swallow. Thank goodness hospice care is available. Hospice is a specialty of doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, volunteers, and others that as a team cares for patients who are at the end of their life. That hospice team attempts to bring comfort and quality of life to the remaining days of that patient. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">The goal of hospice is comfort and symptom control. That means comfort in every area. Spiritual comfort, social comfort and the relief of pain and anxiety. The whole hospice team is there for the patient and their family evaluating the needs and reporting them back to the hospice physician so that care and medications can be in place to comfort that patient.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Most patients and families are often nervous or even afraid to start hospice care because it means accepting the fact that the end of life is near. However, after the patient and the family experience the symptom control, pain relief, the compassion, and the dedication that the hospice team gives to that patient they are grateful, relieved, and often report it is the best medical care they have ever received.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Most national surveys show great patient and family satisfaction with hospice care. The team makes a difference. However, the team does not stand alone. The patient’s primary doctor, the attending physician, the family practitioner that they have been with for years is invited by hospice to continue their involvement. Often, it is the patient’s private doctor that knows them the best, understands their response to medications and treatments and that knows their personality and their spirit. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <span style="font-family: Arial">The hospice team embraces the knowledge that the primary doctor can contribute. The hospice team wants the primary doctor to be involved, to guide therapies, and to actually become part of the hospice team. It’s important to know that taking on hospice doesn’t mean that a patient has to “give up” the family doctor.</span> <br><br>Jul 27, 2009 11:00 AM Hospice Physician: Not a Replacement <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Whenever there is a discussion of hospice, it can sometimes be a very difficult time. Hospice care means end of life care, and that means the realization that the patient has a life-limiting illness. “Life-limiting” — that’s very profound. Most of us, sometime in our life, have an illness or a medical condition and we don’t expect it to be life-limiting. We go to the doctor, the emergency room, or the hospital. We expect it to be diagnosed, treated, and cured. If it can’t be cured then at least we want that disease or medical condition to be controlled. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">There are many medical conditions that you could name right now that can’t be cured. Conditions like Diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, and many cancers. Medical science is looking, always doing research in hopes of curing these diseases, but at least in this day and age most of these diseases can be controlled. With proper therapies and medications, life can go on and in most cases be enjoyed. But occasionally the disease cannot be cured and cannot be treated effectively. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Eventually, as we grow very old these conditions become life-limiting. Even though knowing that you or someone you love has life limiting illness, it’s hard to swallow. Thank goodness hospice care is available. Hospice is a specialty of doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, volunteers, and others that as a team cares for patients who are at the end of their life. That hospice team attempts to bring comfort and quality of life to the remaining days of that patient. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">The goal of hospice is comfort and symptom control. That means comfort in every area. Spiritual comfort, social comfort and the relief of pain and anxiety. The whole hospice team is there for the patient and their family evaluating the needs and reporting them back to the hospice physician so that care and medications can be in place to comfort that patient.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Most patients and families are often nervous or even afraid to start hospice care because it means accepting the fact that the end of life is near. However, after the patient and the family experience the symptom control, pain relief, the compassion, and the dedication that the hospice team gives to that patient they are grateful, relieved, and often report it is the best medical care they have ever received.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Most national surveys show great patient and family satisfaction with hospice care. The team makes a difference. However, the team does not stand alone. The patient’s primary doctor, the attending physician, the family practitioner that they have been with for years is invited by hospice to continue their involvement. Often, it is the patient’s private doctor that knows them the best, understands their response to medications and treatments and that knows their personality and their spirit. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <span style="font-family: Arial">The hospice team embraces the knowledge that the primary doctor can contribute. The hospice team wants the primary doctor to be involved, to guide therapies, and to actually become part of the hospice team. It’s important to know that taking on hospice doesn’t mean that a patient has to “give up” the family doctor.</span> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/32/ Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT Articles http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/33/ Hospice or Home Health <p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">Home is where the heart is. Home sweet home. There’s no place like home. We do love our homes and for almost all of us, there is no place we would rather be. Our homes are an extension of ourselves. We find comfort there and hopefully we find love and peace in our homes. When we are away from our homes some of us even develop an illness. It happens to people in the military, in college students, in business people who are often away from their homes. We call this illness “homesick”. It doesn’t really matter where we are, if we aren’t home, we miss it and long to be there</span>.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">When, however, we really get sick with an accident or a serious medical condition the hospital is where we receive our medical care. In the hospital we have specialists, technicians, nurses and therapists that can help us through the surgery, illness or the serious medical condition. We all appreciate the high level of quality health care that is provided in a hospital. However, when we start to recover or even get just a little bit better most of us want to go home. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">At home, to continue our recovery after a hospitalization there are three options of care. One option is friends and family. If the illness or injury wasn’t too serious, if our hospitalization wasn’t complicated, and if our health is improving our friends and family may give us the support with daily activities, errands, and simple tasks that we need to improve our health. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">The second option is home health agencies. Home health agencies provide skilled nurses and aides, social workers, and support for a longer recovery period that may include rehabilitation and perhaps other special care like post surgical dressing changes or special nutrition support. Home health agencies exist in every community whether a large city or a small farm community. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">In the last several years Medicare has changed home health from a nearly pure care giving situation to a combination of care giving and education. Now days to qualify as a home health patient there must be identified a healthy, able, caregiver in the home. A husband, a wife, a son, a daughter, or even a good friend who can commit themselves to the education that the home health agency gives them so that they, not just the nurses, the aides, or the other home health staff can provide care but that private individual will be responsible for the majority of the care for the patient. For those patients who are receiving Social Security Medicare usually covers the cost of the home health agency care. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">The third option is hospice care. Immediately hospice care sounds like the end of life care, and it is, but it isn’t about the very end of life. It’s not about the last hours or days of life. Hospice care is a Medicare benefit and for those patients who may have a life limiting illness, not limited to days but perhaps weeks, even months, even several months at that, hospice care provides all of the benefits of friends and family care, all of the benefits of home health agency care, plus volunteers, chaplains, social workers, grief counselors and specialized doctors as well as the nurses and hospice aides that provide such wonderful, compassionate care. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">It is very hard to think about hospice care because that does mean end of life care. Even if it’s the last five or six months of life, most people don’t want to think about letting go or “giving up.” However, hospice care can absolutely be the most appropriate care. If someone, a patient, needs to go to the hospital for an illness or a surgery and they can completely recover they don’t need hospice care or probably don’t even need home health care.</span> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <span style="font-family: Arial">If there goal is after a hospitalization or a serious illness to rehabilitate and recover then home health agency care would be the best option. But sometimes, and eventually, for all of us we will have a medical condition or an illness from which we cannot recover (we are not immortal on this earth). For patients who have tried their best to recover from illness, those who have used all of the strength possible to rehabilitate back to a healthy state, who have given everything they’ve got to get well but do not and it is finally realized by the patient and their family that they have come to a place in their life where more hospitalizations, more physical therapy, more medications will not improve their life then at home (home sweet home) hospice care may be the best option of all.</span> <br><br>Jul 27, 2009 11:00 AM Hospice or Home Health <p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">Home is where the heart is. Home sweet home. There’s no place like home. We do love our homes and for almost all of us, there is no place we would rather be. Our homes are an extension of ourselves. We find comfort there and hopefully we find love and peace in our homes. When we are away from our homes some of us even develop an illness. It happens to people in the military, in college students, in business people who are often away from their homes. We call this illness “homesick”. It doesn’t really matter where we are, if we aren’t home, we miss it and long to be there</span>.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">When, however, we really get sick with an accident or a serious medical condition the hospital is where we receive our medical care. In the hospital we have specialists, technicians, nurses and therapists that can help us through the surgery, illness or the serious medical condition. We all appreciate the high level of quality health care that is provided in a hospital. However, when we start to recover or even get just a little bit better most of us want to go home. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">At home, to continue our recovery after a hospitalization there are three options of care. One option is friends and family. If the illness or injury wasn’t too serious, if our hospitalization wasn’t complicated, and if our health is improving our friends and family may give us the support with daily activities, errands, and simple tasks that we need to improve our health. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">The second option is home health agencies. Home health agencies provide skilled nurses and aides, social workers, and support for a longer recovery period that may include rehabilitation and perhaps other special care like post surgical dressing changes or special nutrition support. Home health agencies exist in every community whether a large city or a small farm community. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">In the last several years Medicare has changed home health from a nearly pure care giving situation to a combination of care giving and education. Now days to qualify as a home health patient there must be identified a healthy, able, caregiver in the home. A husband, a wife, a son, a daughter, or even a good friend who can commit themselves to the education that the home health agency gives them so that they, not just the nurses, the aides, or the other home health staff can provide care but that private individual will be responsible for the majority of the care for the patient. For those patients who are receiving Social Security Medicare usually covers the cost of the home health agency care. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">The third option is hospice care. Immediately hospice care sounds like the end of life care, and it is, but it isn’t about the very end of life. It’s not about the last hours or days of life. Hospice care is a Medicare benefit and for those patients who may have a life limiting illness, not limited to days but perhaps weeks, even months, even several months at that, hospice care provides all of the benefits of friends and family care, all of the benefits of home health agency care, plus volunteers, chaplains, social workers, grief counselors and specialized doctors as well as the nurses and hospice aides that provide such wonderful, compassionate care. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">It is very hard to think about hospice care because that does mean end of life care. Even if it’s the last five or six months of life, most people don’t want to think about letting go or “giving up.” However, hospice care can absolutely be the most appropriate care. If someone, a patient, needs to go to the hospital for an illness or a surgery and they can completely recover they don’t need hospice care or probably don’t even need home health care.</span> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <span style="font-family: Arial">If there goal is after a hospitalization or a serious illness to rehabilitate and recover then home health agency care would be the best option. But sometimes, and eventually, for all of us we will have a medical condition or an illness from which we cannot recover (we are not immortal on this earth). For patients who have tried their best to recover from illness, those who have used all of the strength possible to rehabilitate back to a healthy state, who have given everything they’ve got to get well but do not and it is finally realized by the patient and their family that they have come to a place in their life where more hospitalizations, more physical therapy, more medications will not improve their life then at home (home sweet home) hospice care may be the best option of all.</span> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/33/ Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT Articles http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/34/ Hospice Inpatient Facilities <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">It seems that our whole life is about planning. We plan for a new baby to come into the family. We plan for high school graduations, for new jobs, for a move to a new home. We plan for our retirement and many families even plan for the burial of a loved one by buying plots far ahead of time. Those plans seem productive, even ordinary. But planning for death—it just seems like something we don’t want to think about. By giving it thought and planning we can bring comfort and some sense of peace to that person’s passing. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">One of the ways to plan is to think in your own life how you would want to die. Ask your loved ones, even when they are well before the sign of any progressive medical condition or disease process, what they would want at the end of their life. Covenant Hospice has done exactly that. They’ve asked the questions—what do you want at the end of your life, how do you want to die. The answers come in two major forms. If the person being asked is very healthy, bright, alert, and capable they often respond by saying “I want to be very, very old when I die, I want to have lived a full life, and I want to die peacefully”. On the other hand, when a person who is terminally ill or realizing that their death may come within weeks or months their answer is a bit different “I want to be comfortable and pain free. I want to have my family and friends come together in joy and happiness around me. I want to be at home and not in the hospital hooked to tubes and machines.”   Would your answers be similar?</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">A long and full life. Well, no one can guarantee that. But a pain free and comfortable life surrounded by family and friends at home are just the kind of wishes that hospice organizations help to fulfill. The doctors, nurses, and other hospice caregivers are experts in pain and symptom management. So, peace, comfort, and a pain free life is what they can help with. Covenant Hospice social workers, chaplains, and volunteers do their very best to bring family and friends together to celebrate life and joy. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <div><span style="font-family: Arial">Most end of life patients want to die at home and hospice provides that support by making house calls, home visits and practically the whole hospice team can bring the medications, medical supplies, evaluations, examinations, and support right to the person’s bedside in the comfort of their own home. Sometimes, however, the needs of the patient cannot be met at home. Perhaps, a hospital bed, oxygen tanks, a bedside commode just won’t fit in the house. Other times the patient’s symptoms may be so extraordinary that in order to guarantee comfort that person needs to be with nurses and caregivers around the clock. Or maybe the stresses are just too much for the patient and family and they just can’t handle all of the care that needs to be delivered at home. In those cases many hospice organizations provide a home like environment in inpatient units. These are actually facilities standing alone or attached to a hospital where hospice patients can move to receive the care and support that they and their families require. <br> <br> The key word here is move not transfer. Transfer sounds so sterile and medical—like transferring from one medical unit to another. No, indeed, this is a move where the patient and the family can move the patient, their favorite pictures, the family Bible, perhaps a rocking chair to the facility to be comfortable. Because most patients want to have their last days at home these facilities provide a home like environment, they become the patient’s home where families are welcomed around the clock without limited visiting hours. Where homemade food can be brought in, enjoyed and even shared. The Covenant Hospice inpatient units are a home to the patient and their family where the medical care, medications, treatments can all be provided by the staff and the love and attention can be provided by the friends and family.</span></div> <br><br>Jul 27, 2009 11:00 AM Hospice Inpatient Facilities <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">It seems that our whole life is about planning. We plan for a new baby to come into the family. We plan for high school graduations, for new jobs, for a move to a new home. We plan for our retirement and many families even plan for the burial of a loved one by buying plots far ahead of time. Those plans seem productive, even ordinary. But planning for death—it just seems like something we don’t want to think about. By giving it thought and planning we can bring comfort and some sense of peace to that person’s passing. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">One of the ways to plan is to think in your own life how you would want to die. Ask your loved ones, even when they are well before the sign of any progressive medical condition or disease process, what they would want at the end of their life. Covenant Hospice has done exactly that. They’ve asked the questions—what do you want at the end of your life, how do you want to die. The answers come in two major forms. If the person being asked is very healthy, bright, alert, and capable they often respond by saying “I want to be very, very old when I die, I want to have lived a full life, and I want to die peacefully”. On the other hand, when a person who is terminally ill or realizing that their death may come within weeks or months their answer is a bit different “I want to be comfortable and pain free. I want to have my family and friends come together in joy and happiness around me. I want to be at home and not in the hospital hooked to tubes and machines.”   Would your answers be similar?</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">A long and full life. Well, no one can guarantee that. But a pain free and comfortable life surrounded by family and friends at home are just the kind of wishes that hospice organizations help to fulfill. The doctors, nurses, and other hospice caregivers are experts in pain and symptom management. So, peace, comfort, and a pain free life is what they can help with. Covenant Hospice social workers, chaplains, and volunteers do their very best to bring family and friends together to celebrate life and joy. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <div><span style="font-family: Arial">Most end of life patients want to die at home and hospice provides that support by making house calls, home visits and practically the whole hospice team can bring the medications, medical supplies, evaluations, examinations, and support right to the person’s bedside in the comfort of their own home. Sometimes, however, the needs of the patient cannot be met at home. Perhaps, a hospital bed, oxygen tanks, a bedside commode just won’t fit in the house. Other times the patient’s symptoms may be so extraordinary that in order to guarantee comfort that person needs to be with nurses and caregivers around the clock. Or maybe the stresses are just too much for the patient and family and they just can’t handle all of the care that needs to be delivered at home. In those cases many hospice organizations provide a home like environment in inpatient units. These are actually facilities standing alone or attached to a hospital where hospice patients can move to receive the care and support that they and their families require. <br> <br> The key word here is move not transfer. Transfer sounds so sterile and medical—like transferring from one medical unit to another. No, indeed, this is a move where the patient and the family can move the patient, their favorite pictures, the family Bible, perhaps a rocking chair to the facility to be comfortable. Because most patients want to have their last days at home these facilities provide a home like environment, they become the patient’s home where families are welcomed around the clock without limited visiting hours. Where homemade food can be brought in, enjoyed and even shared. The Covenant Hospice inpatient units are a home to the patient and their family where the medical care, medications, treatments can all be provided by the staff and the love and attention can be provided by the friends and family.</span></div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/34/ Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT Articles http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/35/ Hospice: Not Just for Cancer <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">When you are feeling bad or have a new health problem you go to the doctor for tests and a diagnosis. While you are waiting for that diagnosis it is human nature to worry…to worry about what might be wrong with you…what is the problem, what is the disease, what is the diagnosis. One of the reasons for worry is the scariest diagnosis of all—cancer.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">For any of us cancer just seems to be that terrible medical word that is associated with death. So much so that when someone has a diagnosis of cancer and they fight the good fight, take all of the treatments and survive we celebrate them. Who hasn’t seen the ladies in pink shirts who are breast cancer survivors? All of us have heard stories of friends or family members who have had colon cancer and survived, men who have had prostate cancer and survived. We celebrate survivors of cancer. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">With new and modern technology hopefully we will celebrate more of those survivors because today cancer isn’t a death sentence. In fact, more people with cancer survive than succumb. Still, it is a devastating diagnosis and usually the first reaction is shock and disbelief that it could happen to us or someone we love. The second reaction is what can we do about it? What treatments are available, what are our chances for a cure? Those are absolutely the right questions and the right emotions. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">What becomes apparent over days, weeks, even months is that there is hope for patients with cancer. Truly, there is no end to that hope. Initially, we hope and work for a cure, but if that is impossible then we hope and strive for control, at least, we might live longer with this disease. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Finally, if the cancer increases or spreads and starts to consume our energy patients and their families learn that there is still hope and that’s the hope of having the final days of their lives enriched and comforted by hospice care. Hospice care is end of life care that is aimed at pain control, comfort, and care at home with family if that is at all possible. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Hospice makes wishes come true. Maybe not the wise to have the cancer go away but the wish to die with dignity, with self respect, without pain, at home, with family. Hospice had its beginnings and foundation built on the respectful, comforting care of cancer patients. But times are changing. People are living longer and often living and finally dying of chronic disease. Like strokes, heart attacks, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, heart disease, lung disease, and fewer patients with a cancer diagnosis are dying because of the cancer. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Now days, hospice isn’t just for cancer patients anymore. Anyone who has a diagnosis, cancer or otherwise, who is facing the last weeks or months of their life can have hospice provide them with the comforting care that makes everyday special even when more days cannot be added to life. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <span style="font-family: Arial">So if you or someone you love has an illness or a medical condition that’s not cancer you still will want to check into the benefits of hospice. It’s not easy facing the end of life, but it is easier with hospice care.</span> <br><br>Jul 27, 2009 11:00 AM Hospice: Not Just for Cancer <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">When you are feeling bad or have a new health problem you go to the doctor for tests and a diagnosis. While you are waiting for that diagnosis it is human nature to worry…to worry about what might be wrong with you…what is the problem, what is the disease, what is the diagnosis. One of the reasons for worry is the scariest diagnosis of all—cancer.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">For any of us cancer just seems to be that terrible medical word that is associated with death. So much so that when someone has a diagnosis of cancer and they fight the good fight, take all of the treatments and survive we celebrate them. Who hasn’t seen the ladies in pink shirts who are breast cancer survivors? All of us have heard stories of friends or family members who have had colon cancer and survived, men who have had prostate cancer and survived. We celebrate survivors of cancer. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">With new and modern technology hopefully we will celebrate more of those survivors because today cancer isn’t a death sentence. In fact, more people with cancer survive than succumb. Still, it is a devastating diagnosis and usually the first reaction is shock and disbelief that it could happen to us or someone we love. The second reaction is what can we do about it? What treatments are available, what are our chances for a cure? Those are absolutely the right questions and the right emotions. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">What becomes apparent over days, weeks, even months is that there is hope for patients with cancer. Truly, there is no end to that hope. Initially, we hope and work for a cure, but if that is impossible then we hope and strive for control, at least, we might live longer with this disease. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Finally, if the cancer increases or spreads and starts to consume our energy patients and their families learn that there is still hope and that’s the hope of having the final days of their lives enriched and comforted by hospice care. Hospice care is end of life care that is aimed at pain control, comfort, and care at home with family if that is at all possible. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Hospice makes wishes come true. Maybe not the wise to have the cancer go away but the wish to die with dignity, with self respect, without pain, at home, with family. Hospice had its beginnings and foundation built on the respectful, comforting care of cancer patients. But times are changing. People are living longer and often living and finally dying of chronic disease. Like strokes, heart attacks, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, heart disease, lung disease, and fewer patients with a cancer diagnosis are dying because of the cancer. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Now days, hospice isn’t just for cancer patients anymore. Anyone who has a diagnosis, cancer or otherwise, who is facing the last weeks or months of their life can have hospice provide them with the comforting care that makes everyday special even when more days cannot be added to life. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <span style="font-family: Arial">So if you or someone you love has an illness or a medical condition that’s not cancer you still will want to check into the benefits of hospice. It’s not easy facing the end of life, but it is easier with hospice care.</span> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/35/ Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT Articles http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/36/ Hope <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">When it comes to our health “hope” is a very strong and even intense word. For minor illnesses, we hope we get over them soon. For chronic, long term medical conditions, like high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis we hope to control them. We hope the patient can follow the doctor’s orders and have a good quality of life. For life threatening diseases like cancer, strokes, serious heart attacks we hope the patient can fight the disease and beat it. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Generally we hope that the patient can have a cure and not die. That kind of hope, along with support and perhaps mixed with prayer, can make a world of difference in a patient’s life. They know that they are important. They know that they are being cared for and being cared about. That kind of hope often gives the patient the emotional support to be brave and courageous in the face of serious disease or difficult treatment. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Hope, when realized along with good medical treatment and lots of support may mean that the disease is cured. Or medical conditions are controlled and the patient, the person we are hoping for, can live a long life that is also filled with quality. Sometimes our hopes are not answered and disease shortens life. Even when our hopes are answered life is not endless. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Now theologians and spiritual leaders may say that life is endless and that we can experience immortality. Well I’ll leave that to your own personal faith. However, we can all agree that in our present body we will come to the end of our life. For ninety percent of us, those of us who don’t die very suddenly, we may have an opportunity actually to see before us into the future the last days, weeks, or months of our lives.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">When our days, weeks or our months are numbered, and whether we are very old and a cure was effective or whether we are still young and the cure was not effective, how can we anticipate the end of our life, understand it, plan for it, and still nurture the most quality for whatever time we have left? For decades now, hospice has focused on exactly this issue. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <span style="font-family: Arial">When life is limited the quality of life does not automatically have to be limited. Covenant Hospice provides care and compassion when curing a disease is no longer possible. Covenant Hospice is not a place to give up… it’s a place to live up.   Live up to our maximum potential for as long as we possibly can. With symptoms controlled, individuality respected, and family supported, hospice focuses on life. In Covenant Hospice when a cure is no longer possible, care is always possible.</span> <br><br>Jul 27, 2009 11:00 AM Hope <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">When it comes to our health “hope” is a very strong and even intense word. For minor illnesses, we hope we get over them soon. For chronic, long term medical conditions, like high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis we hope to control them. We hope the patient can follow the doctor’s orders and have a good quality of life. For life threatening diseases like cancer, strokes, serious heart attacks we hope the patient can fight the disease and beat it. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Generally we hope that the patient can have a cure and not die. That kind of hope, along with support and perhaps mixed with prayer, can make a world of difference in a patient’s life. They know that they are important. They know that they are being cared for and being cared about. That kind of hope often gives the patient the emotional support to be brave and courageous in the face of serious disease or difficult treatment. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Hope, when realized along with good medical treatment and lots of support may mean that the disease is cured. Or medical conditions are controlled and the patient, the person we are hoping for, can live a long life that is also filled with quality. Sometimes our hopes are not answered and disease shortens life. Even when our hopes are answered life is not endless. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Now theologians and spiritual leaders may say that life is endless and that we can experience immortality. Well I’ll leave that to your own personal faith. However, we can all agree that in our present body we will come to the end of our life. For ninety percent of us, those of us who don’t die very suddenly, we may have an opportunity actually to see before us into the future the last days, weeks, or months of our lives.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">When our days, weeks or our months are numbered, and whether we are very old and a cure was effective or whether we are still young and the cure was not effective, how can we anticipate the end of our life, understand it, plan for it, and still nurture the most quality for whatever time we have left? For decades now, hospice has focused on exactly this issue. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <span style="font-family: Arial">When life is limited the quality of life does not automatically have to be limited. Covenant Hospice provides care and compassion when curing a disease is no longer possible. Covenant Hospice is not a place to give up… it’s a place to live up.   Live up to our maximum potential for as long as we possibly can. With symptoms controlled, individuality respected, and family supported, hospice focuses on life. In Covenant Hospice when a cure is no longer possible, care is always possible.</span> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/36/ Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT Articles http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/47/ Can My Doctor Provide Hospice Care? <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">The short answer is yes, of course but now days no answer could be quite that simple. Family doctors, internists, geriatricians, even pediatricians, specialists like surgeons and cancer specialists can all provide hospice care. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">Doctors who know their patients very well may know hospice care only to a limited degree. Oh, doctors, any doctors, understand that hospice care is comfort care and symptom control near the end of life. Most doctors, whether they know much about hospice or not, seem to understand that comfort and compassion are the foundation principles of hospice care. Therefore, doctors certainly can provide comfort. Most doctors understand how to relieve pain, calm anxiety, improve depression, and provide compassion to their patients.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">Doctors are confident professionals and frequently I am told that doctors don’t need a hospice organization to provide hospice care. They explain to me that hospice is not only an organization of doctors and nurses but rather hospice is a philosophy of care. A philosophy that embraces acceptance of a life limiting illness or disease, a philosophy that focuses on comfort and compassion, and therefore any doctor can embrace the hospice philosophy. And, I have to agree with them. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">Hospice is absolutely a philosophy of care. It’s a philosophy of embracing the patient and family. Not the test. Not the x-ray results. Not a new medication. But focuses absolutely and completely on the patient and family needs. The patient’s need to cope with their illness and disease. The family’s need to support someone they love. The patient’s need for symptoms control, pain management, and attention to depression and loss. But what the hospice organization has that the philosophy alone does not are people. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">We’ve got people. We’ve got people with the philosophy, we embrace and endorse that philosophy that family doctors and cancer doctors speak of. But with that philosophy we’ve added people. We’ve added doctors and nurses and hospice aides to give a gentle bath. We’ve added chaplains, not to preach, but to listen and support the patient and their family with whatever their personal needs and their spiritual needs might be. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">We’ve got social workers who want to understand the patient as a person, where are they in their life because after all it’s life that’s important not just the dying. Social workers focus on supporting and family with whatever their needs might be. Grief counselors and bereavement specialists are there because any terminal illness comes with a sense of loss—often despair, anxiety, stress, fear, and depression. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">For the patient’s while they are still living who may be grieving about their disease or their terminal illness bereavement specialists are there for them and for the families long after the patient is gone. Our grief counselors are supporters. We have nurses in hospice who understand the symptoms, the common symptoms, the severe symptoms that they are specially trained to understand and doctors, hospice physicians, who are specialists in their field but compassionate and caring as well.   Hospice physicians are not remote, sterile specialists. They are hands on, heart on doctors who care about the patients and families they serve.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial">So doctors who know the hospice philosophy but don’t understand the hospice organization fully can provide connected care, compassionate care, and comfort care but only as one physician. When they use that wonderful hospice philosophy and join it to a hospice organization now that family doctor, that internist, that geriatrician or cancer specialist can connect their own personal philosophy to the hospice people that can join with the family and loved ones to provide the care and support that any patient with life limiting illness deserves.</span></span> <br><br>Jul 27, 2009 11:00 AM Can My Doctor Provide Hospice Care? <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">The short answer is yes, of course but now days no answer could be quite that simple. Family doctors, internists, geriatricians, even pediatricians, specialists like surgeons and cancer specialists can all provide hospice care. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">Doctors who know their patients very well may know hospice care only to a limited degree. Oh, doctors, any doctors, understand that hospice care is comfort care and symptom control near the end of life. Most doctors, whether they know much about hospice or not, seem to understand that comfort and compassion are the foundation principles of hospice care. Therefore, doctors certainly can provide comfort. Most doctors understand how to relieve pain, calm anxiety, improve depression, and provide compassion to their patients.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">Doctors are confident professionals and frequently I am told that doctors don’t need a hospice organization to provide hospice care. They explain to me that hospice is not only an organization of doctors and nurses but rather hospice is a philosophy of care. A philosophy that embraces acceptance of a life limiting illness or disease, a philosophy that focuses on comfort and compassion, and therefore any doctor can embrace the hospice philosophy. And, I have to agree with them. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">Hospice is absolutely a philosophy of care. It’s a philosophy of embracing the patient and family. Not the test. Not the x-ray results. Not a new medication. But focuses absolutely and completely on the patient and family needs. The patient’s need to cope with their illness and disease. The family’s need to support someone they love. The patient’s need for symptoms control, pain management, and attention to depression and loss. But what the hospice organization has that the philosophy alone does not are people. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">We’ve got people. We’ve got people with the philosophy, we embrace and endorse that philosophy that family doctors and cancer doctors speak of. But with that philosophy we’ve added people. We’ve added doctors and nurses and hospice aides to give a gentle bath. We’ve added chaplains, not to preach, but to listen and support the patient and their family with whatever their personal needs and their spiritual needs might be. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">We’ve got social workers who want to understand the patient as a person, where are they in their life because after all it’s life that’s important not just the dying. Social workers focus on supporting and family with whatever their needs might be. Grief counselors and bereavement specialists are there because any terminal illness comes with a sense of loss—often despair, anxiety, stress, fear, and depression. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">For the patient’s while they are still living who may be grieving about their disease or their terminal illness bereavement specialists are there for them and for the families long after the patient is gone. Our grief counselors are supporters. We have nurses in hospice who understand the symptoms, the common symptoms, the severe symptoms that they are specially trained to understand and doctors, hospice physicians, who are specialists in their field but compassionate and caring as well.   Hospice physicians are not remote, sterile specialists. They are hands on, heart on doctors who care about the patients and families they serve.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"> </span></p> <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial">So doctors who know the hospice philosophy but don’t understand the hospice organization fully can provide connected care, compassionate care, and comfort care but only as one physician. When they use that wonderful hospice philosophy and join it to a hospice organization now that family doctor, that internist, that geriatrician or cancer specialist can connect their own personal philosophy to the hospice people that can join with the family and loved ones to provide the care and support that any patient with life limiting illness deserves.</span></span> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/47/ Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT Articles http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/50/ Alzheimer's Disease and Your Family <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Alzheimer’s. It’s all in the family. If you had to name one disease or medical condition that affected the family more than the patient it would likely be Alzheimer’s disease.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">In the very early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, the patient often realizes that something has gone wrong. There is memory loss and often impaired judgment and decision making. During this early phase the patient may realize that things just aren’t right. However, the patient with Alzheimer’s, because of the memory and judgment impairment, cannot evaluate the situation correctly. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">So if the patient has an awareness of the disease, it is often demonstrated by an increased level of anxiety. That is, the patient knows something is wrong but they don’t know what it is that is wrong and because their thinking and memory isn’t clear they become anxious about the changes. As the disease progresses the patient often loses all concept of the memory loss or change in judgment. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">The patient may still be anxious because of change or depressed because of a sense of loss, but for many patients with advancing Alzheimer’s they actually become oblivious to the disease itself. This is certainly not true of the family. Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects the entire family. First, there is the dismay with the initial diagnosis. No one wants their grandfather, mother or spouse to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Most of us know enough about Alzheimer’s. It is a memory loss disease, a disease of declining function and ultimately patients with Alzheimer’s will come to the end of their life. Even if the patient doesn’t know all of this, the family does. They watch their loved one with Alzheimer’s forget, then decline, then diminish both in a mental and physical sense. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Loved ones become care givers as the disease progresses. Then, care givers in some instances may actually have to place the Alzheimer’s patient in a special unit or nursing home.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Alzheimer’s has been called a “cruel thief” and it should be. The disease certainly takes away memory and judgment from the patient, but it also takes away dreams, hopes, and future plans for the patient’s loved ones. Instead of dreams of travel, gardening or lazy afternoons on the porch, the family is now planning how to take care of the Alzheimer’s patient. That is the disease stealing away hopes, dreams, and plans.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">In other diseases the family certainly surrounds the patient as they fight for their health, as they fight against the disease such as cancer or heart disease. The difference with Alzheimer’s is that the patient doesn’t know to fight, doesn’t know how to fight or what to do. The chore of caring, medicating, and nursing usually falls squarely to the family.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <span style="font-family: Arial">Fortunately, more and more is learned about Alzheimer’s every day. Support groups and associations are there to help with explanations and planning and even though Alzheimer’s is a cruel thief, there are opportunities to give the patient and their loving family quality time. Maybe even time measured in years.</span> <br><br>Jul 27, 2009 11:00 AM Alzheimer's Disease and Your Family <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Alzheimer’s. It’s all in the family. If you had to name one disease or medical condition that affected the family more than the patient it would likely be Alzheimer’s disease.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">In the very early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, the patient often realizes that something has gone wrong. There is memory loss and often impaired judgment and decision making. During this early phase the patient may realize that things just aren’t right. However, the patient with Alzheimer’s, because of the memory and judgment impairment, cannot evaluate the situation correctly. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">So if the patient has an awareness of the disease, it is often demonstrated by an increased level of anxiety. That is, the patient knows something is wrong but they don’t know what it is that is wrong and because their thinking and memory isn’t clear they become anxious about the changes. As the disease progresses the patient often loses all concept of the memory loss or change in judgment. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">The patient may still be anxious because of change or depressed because of a sense of loss, but for many patients with advancing Alzheimer’s they actually become oblivious to the disease itself. This is certainly not true of the family. Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects the entire family. First, there is the dismay with the initial diagnosis. No one wants their grandfather, mother or spouse to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Most of us know enough about Alzheimer’s. It is a memory loss disease, a disease of declining function and ultimately patients with Alzheimer’s will come to the end of their life. Even if the patient doesn’t know all of this, the family does. They watch their loved one with Alzheimer’s forget, then decline, then diminish both in a mental and physical sense. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Loved ones become care givers as the disease progresses. Then, care givers in some instances may actually have to place the Alzheimer’s patient in a special unit or nursing home.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Alzheimer’s has been called a “cruel thief” and it should be. The disease certainly takes away memory and judgment from the patient, but it also takes away dreams, hopes, and future plans for the patient’s loved ones. Instead of dreams of travel, gardening or lazy afternoons on the porch, the family is now planning how to take care of the Alzheimer’s patient. That is the disease stealing away hopes, dreams, and plans.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">In other diseases the family certainly surrounds the patient as they fight for their health, as they fight against the disease such as cancer or heart disease. The difference with Alzheimer’s is that the patient doesn’t know to fight, doesn’t know how to fight or what to do. The chore of caring, medicating, and nursing usually falls squarely to the family.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <span style="font-family: Arial">Fortunately, more and more is learned about Alzheimer’s every day. Support groups and associations are there to help with explanations and planning and even though Alzheimer’s is a cruel thief, there are opportunities to give the patient and their loving family quality time. Maybe even time measured in years.</span> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/50/ Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT Articles http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/51/ AIDS Update: Chronic or Terminal Disease <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">In the early 1980’s an epidemic struck America, one that is still with us today. That is the epidemic of HIV/AIDS. Many doctors practicing during this time remember seeing young men in their 20’s and 30’s coming to the hospital and just wasting away to their death. In 1983 this disorder was called Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">This meant that the immune system of these young men, and a few women, failed to protect them from ordinary and even unusual infections. About that same time the virus that caused this disease, the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, was detected and identified.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">HIV/AIDS was deadly. It was certainly a terminal disease. It seemed clear very early on that it occurred frequently in homosexual men. It also occurred in intravenous drug users—those people using drugs who shared needles. When children, women, and heterosexual men came down with HIV/AIDS it was identified that blood transfusions, blood products, and in one famous case, dirty dental instruments could transfer the disease. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">For the first several years treating HIV/AIDS really meant treating the infections like eye infections, lung infections, skin infections, and blood infections, but not directly treating the HIV virus itself. Therefore, the complications of HIV/AIDS could be treated and somewhat managed but the disease was ultimately still terminal. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">We turned the corner in the 90’s after Ryan White became a famous child victim of HIV/AIDS. His national notoriety led to a government commitment to understand and treat the disease. One of the first effective medications was AZT. It actually seemed to slow the progress of the disease itself. But it wasn’t a cure.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">The focus wasn’t just the treatment of HIV/AIDS but the prevention. Gay men were educated, needle sharing drug abusers had programs and education, and blood transfusions and other blood products were tested completely so that they no longer represent a risk of HIV/AIDS transmission. Those preventative measures are ongoing today and they have made a difference. It is estimated that thousands of at risk people do not have HIV/AIDS today because they paid attention to the safety warnings. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Yet, when someone contracted the disease it was still considered terminal. End of life and hospice organizations were established to care for the dying HIV/AIDS patients. Then, surprisingly and rather suddenly, a whole new class of drugs was identified. The anti-retroviral drugs and proteace inhibitors used in combination actually seemed to reduce the infective HIV virus. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Then, famous celebrities with HIV, like the basketball player Magic Johnson, didn’t die. In fact, they seemed to live normal lives. Medicine and research had a victory over this disease. Although many experts in the area are cautious when they speak, HIV/AIDS isn’t the terminal disease it once was. The infection may persist but it is controlled. HIV/AIDS patients don’t automatically die. They are living and with continuous medication and treatment, they are even thriving.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <span style="font-family: Arial">Today HIV/AIDS is still a terrible disease. There is the social stigma related to it and it requires continuous, everyday treatment. But it has changed from a terminal disease to a chronic, controllable disease.</span> <br><br>Jul 27, 2009 11:00 AM AIDS Update: Chronic or Terminal Disease <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">In the early 1980’s an epidemic struck America, one that is still with us today. That is the epidemic of HIV/AIDS. Many doctors practicing during this time remember seeing young men in their 20’s and 30’s coming to the hospital and just wasting away to their death. In 1983 this disorder was called Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">This meant that the immune system of these young men, and a few women, failed to protect them from ordinary and even unusual infections. About that same time the virus that caused this disease, the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, was detected and identified.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">HIV/AIDS was deadly. It was certainly a terminal disease. It seemed clear very early on that it occurred frequently in homosexual men. It also occurred in intravenous drug users—those people using drugs who shared needles. When children, women, and heterosexual men came down with HIV/AIDS it was identified that blood transfusions, blood products, and in one famous case, dirty dental instruments could transfer the disease. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">For the first several years treating HIV/AIDS really meant treating the infections like eye infections, lung infections, skin infections, and blood infections, but not directly treating the HIV virus itself. Therefore, the complications of HIV/AIDS could be treated and somewhat managed but the disease was ultimately still terminal. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">We turned the corner in the 90’s after Ryan White became a famous child victim of HIV/AIDS. His national notoriety led to a government commitment to understand and treat the disease. One of the first effective medications was AZT. It actually seemed to slow the progress of the disease itself. But it wasn’t a cure.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">The focus wasn’t just the treatment of HIV/AIDS but the prevention. Gay men were educated, needle sharing drug abusers had programs and education, and blood transfusions and other blood products were tested completely so that they no longer represent a risk of HIV/AIDS transmission. Those preventative measures are ongoing today and they have made a difference. It is estimated that thousands of at risk people do not have HIV/AIDS today because they paid attention to the safety warnings. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Yet, when someone contracted the disease it was still considered terminal. End of life and hospice organizations were established to care for the dying HIV/AIDS patients. Then, surprisingly and rather suddenly, a whole new class of drugs was identified. The anti-retroviral drugs and proteace inhibitors used in combination actually seemed to reduce the infective HIV virus. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Then, famous celebrities with HIV, like the basketball player Magic Johnson, didn’t die. In fact, they seemed to live normal lives. Medicine and research had a victory over this disease. Although many experts in the area are cautious when they speak, HIV/AIDS isn’t the terminal disease it once was. The infection may persist but it is controlled. HIV/AIDS patients don’t automatically die. They are living and with continuous medication and treatment, they are even thriving.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <span style="font-family: Arial">Today HIV/AIDS is still a terrible disease. There is the social stigma related to it and it requires continuous, everyday treatment. But it has changed from a terminal disease to a chronic, controllable disease.</span> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/art/51/ Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT Release http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/114/ Covenant Hospice and National Association of Social Workers Celebrate National Social Work Month <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 150%"><strong>Pensacola</strong><strong> </strong>– Covenant Hospice, along with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) proudly celebrates National Social Work Month 2010. This year’s theme is “Social Workers Inspire Community Action.” In every community, there are people who go above and beyond their usual work to make a significant difference in the lives of thousands. These advocates can come from every discipline, but many times they are social workers.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 150%"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 150%">For example, throughout 34 counties in South Alabama and Northwest Florida Covenant Hospice social workers help patients and families to live with dignity and the highest degree of physical, emotional, social and spiritual comfort. They provide emotional support to the patients and loved ones assist in dealing with closure issues, help in understanding and completing advanced directives, and help in understanding and utilizing Medicare, Medicaid or other insurance benefits. Covenant Hospice social workers may also help patients and families who need financial assistance by identifying and accessing community resources.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 150%"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 150%"> “Social workers are essential to our organization, providing services across a wide range of needs,” says Pam Edwards, VP of Clinical Services for Covenant Hospice. “They are individuals with passion and an inherent sense of purpose, who truly inspire.”</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 150%"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 150%">Covenant Hospice is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate services to patients and loved ones during times of life-limiting illnesses.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 150%"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 150%" align="center">###</p> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/114/ noemail@covenanthospice.org Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:00:00 GMT Release http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/113/ Covenant Hospice receives grant from Red Ribbon Foundation <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 150%"><strong>Pensacola</strong><strong>, FL</strong><strong> –</strong> Covenant Hospice recently received a grant in the amount of $14,000 from the Red Ribbon Foundation to purchase two new state-of-the-art Hill-Rom Care Assist beds and mattresses for the Joyce Goldenberg Hospice Residence.  With the generous support of the community during a recent capital campaign, the Residence was expanded from six semi-private rooms to 16 private suites.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 150%"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 150%">In addition to allowing patients dealing with end-of-life issues to sit up while eating, watching TV or visiting, the beds can also be rolled into a common room for meals or outside onto the porch so that patients can enjoy nature.  The beds also assist with the prevention of falls, because they are equipped with an alarm that alerts patients trying to get out of bed unassisted.   </p> <br> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 150%">Red Ribbon Charitable Foundation, Inc. is based in Pensacola, Florida and operates as a 501(c)(3) Public Charitable Foundation. The foundation was endowed in 1995 by Dr. Garry P. Bergeron to support healthy and responsible living through community initiatives for persons living with HIV and AIDS.</p> <div> </div> <div></div> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 150%">Covenant Hospice has received grants and personal gifts over the last 7 months to purchase 11 of the 16 beds needed for the newly expanded Residence.   </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 150%"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 150%">Covenant Hospice is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate services to patients and loved ones during times of life-limiting illnesses.  </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 150%" align="center"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 150%" align="center">###</p> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/113/ noemail@covenanthospice.org Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:00:00 GMT Release http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/110/ Covenant Hospice receives grant to increase access to hospice and palliative care for rural and homeless Veterans Pensacola, FL – Covenant Hospice recently received a Reaching Out grant from The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). Funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the grants program is designed to increase access to hospice and palliative care services for rural and homeless Veterans. Covenant Hospice was one of 18 community-based organizations across the nation to receive the grant. Covenant is working collaboratively with its own community partnerships on innovative programs that aim to provide care and services to veterans at the end of life. The grant will contribute funding to Covenant Hospice for nine months to not only support the success of individual programs, but to ultimately assist the VA in discovering new ways to reach homeless veterans and veterans living in rural areas. Volunteers are needed to help Covenant Hospice reach and serve rural and homeless veterans. For more information please call Keelea LeJeune at 202-0353. Many Americans... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/110/ noemail@covenanthospice.org Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:00:00 GMT Release http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/109/ Covenant Hospice and National Association of Social Workers Celebrate National Social Work Month <p style="line-height: 150%"><strong>Pensacola</strong><strong> </strong>– Covenant Hospice, along with the National Association of Social Workers<br> (NASW) proudly celebrates National Social Work Month 2009. This year’s theme, Social Work: Purpose and Possibility, highlights the special characteristics of individuals who choose social work as a profession. Social workers are purpose-driven, compassionate individuals who work across a range of areas to help those most vulnerable in our society. </p> <p style="line-height: 150%">Covenant Hospice social workers help patients and families to live with dignity and the highest degree of physical, emotional, social and spiritual comfort. They provide emotional support to the patients and loved ones, assist in dealing with closure issues, help in understanding and completing advanced directives, and help in understanding and utilizing Medicare, Medicaid or other insurance benefits. Social workers may also help patients and families who need financial assistance by identifying and accessing community resources.</p> <p style="line-height: 150%"> “Social workers are essential to our organization, providing services across a wide range of needs,” says Pam Edwards, VP of Clinical Services for Covenant Hospice. “They are individuals with passion and an inherent sense of purpose.”</p> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/109/ noemail@covenanthospice.org Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:00:00 GMT Release http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/108/ Grants to Increase Access to Hospice and Palliative Care for Rural and Homeless Veterans Awarded by National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (Alexandria, Va) – The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization is pleased to announce the recipients of its Reaching Out grants. Funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the grants program is designed to increase access to hospice and palliative care services for rural and homeless veterans. Grants have been awarded to eighteen providers that represent a range of community-based organizations. These providers are working collaboratively with their own community partnerships on innovative programs that aim to provide care and services to veterans at the end of life. The grants will contribute funding to each grantee provider for nine months to not only support the success of individual programs, but to ultimately assist the VA in discovering new ways to reach homeless veterans and veterans living in rural areas. Grant Recipients: * Arkansas Hospice, Inc., Hot Springs, AR * California Hospice Foundation, Sacramento, CA * Colorado Center for Hospice &... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/108/ noemail@covenanthospice.org Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:00:00 GMT Release http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/107/ Dr. Java Coffee House in Mobile supports Covenant Hospice <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">During the month of February, Dr. Java Coffee House will be donating 20% of all art sales from their Spring Exhibit to charity!</span></strong><strong> </strong> <div> </div> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">Dr. Java Coffee House has come up with a very special idea to encourage art sales and support our local artists in a less than perfect economy.  The Spring Exhibit at Dr. Java runs from February 6th - March 31st and will feature work by local artists Derald Eastman and Josh Ashley.  Their hope is to inspire fine art sales in support of local artists while boosting support for some of the best and most needy organizations in our community which need our support now more than ever.  Buyers will have an opportunity to choose from a number of participating charities, to include Alabama CARES, Covenant Hospice and The Arthritis Foundation.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; color: black">   </span> <div> </div> <div>Dr. Java is located at 5821 Old Shell Road in Mobile.</div> </div> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/107/ noemail@covenanthospice.org Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:00:00 GMT Release http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/106/ CUTTING MEDICAID HOSPICE BENEFIT WOULD COST FLORIDA MORE, PENSACOLA – The State of Florida’s proposed elimination of the Medicaid benefit that provides hospice care to some of the state’s most fragile individuals actually would cost Florida millions more than the state currently spends – adding to the state’s budget deficit rather than reducing it – according to a newly released study commissioned by Florida Hospices and Palliative Care (FHPC), the statewide group representing all of the state’s hospice providers including Covenant Hospice. FHPC engaged The Moran Company, a Washington-based health care research and consulting firm, to examine the state’s financial assumptions and develop an independent evaluation of the impact of eliminating the Medicaid Hospice Benefit, as recommended by Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). The study reviewed actual state data for fiscal year 2007 and concluded that if the cut had been in place at that time, the state’s health care budget would have been $3.7 million more. In contrast... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/106/ noemail@covenanthospice.org Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:00:00 GMT Release http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/103/ Covenant Hospice celebrates National Hospice Month Covenant Hospice celebrates National Hospice Month by wearing the hospice awareness ribbon Pensacola, FL - In celebration of National Hospice Month, Covenant Hospice staff and volunteers will be wearing purple and green ribbons designed to create awareness and to promote the outreach of end-of-life care. The purple and green hospice ribbon will focus attention on the special compassionate care available when people need it most. This local ribbon campaign is part of a broader national campaign launched by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) reminding people that hospice is not about how you die, but how you live. There will be a range of activities across the country throughout November focusing on living as fully as possible up until the end of life. Far too many families who have been served by Covenant Hospice reflect back upon the experience and question why they did not seek out hospice care sooner, commented Dale O. Knee, President and CEO of... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/103/ noemail@covenanthospice.org Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:00:00 GMT Release http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/101/ Blue Jean & BBQ: Tickets now available PRESS RELEASE Sept. 8, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Don Ruth Director, Communications 850-438-9714 or don.ruth@covenanthospice.org 2nd Annual Blue Jeans & BBQ to benefit Covenant Hospice: Bull riding competition returning to Milton Milton, FL – Tickets are on sale now for Covenant Hospice’s Blue Jeans & BBQ Festival and Bull Riding Competition held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 at Hayes Ranch, located at 5097 Berryhill Rd. in Milton. Tickets are only $12 prior to the event and $15 at the gate, and children 12 and under are free and eat for only $5. Blue Jeans & BBQ will feature a family festival from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will include a Kiddie Korral complete with games, pony rides, face painting as well as a bar-b-que dinner and special prize drawings including a John Deer lawn mower. The highlight of the festival will be a bull riding competition, which begins at 7:00 p.m. The competition features riders from all over the east... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/101/ noemail@covenanthospice.org Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:00:00 GMT Release http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/94/ Covenant Hospice seeks teen volunteers PRESS RELEASE May 28, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Don Ruth (850) 438-9714 (850) 293-2029 Cell Covenant Hospice seeks teen volunteers Pensacola, FL- Covenant Hospice is seeking compassionate teen volunteers who are interested in making a difference in the lives of patients and families facing end-of-life issues. A teen volunteer training workshop will be held from Noon to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 11 and June 13 at the Pensacola Covenant Hospice branch office, located at 2001 N. Palafox St. The workshop will educate teens on Covenant Hospice services, and prepares them for volunteering in many areas, including patient/family companionship, nursing home visits, fundraising events, administrative support and much more. The workshop is free and open to the public, and lunch will be provided. The contributions made by volunteers allow Covenant... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/rel/94/ noemail@covenanthospice.org Wed, 28 May 2008 12:00:00 GMT Jobs http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?665 Hospice Aide - PRN (5 positions available) Tallahassee, FL Title: Hospice Aide - PRN (5 positions available) Tallahassee, FL Description: Responsible for providing personal patient care and related services for terminally ill patients in home or home-like settings. A. Competently performs all basic Hospice Aide skills as listed on the “New Employee and Annual Hospice Aide Skills List.” This Hospice Aide Skills List must be completed annually and submitted with the annual performance evaluation. B. Assists the patient with personal care which may include bathing, oral hygiene, hair care, routine skin care, catheter care, feeding, dressing, grooming, transfers from bed to chair, bedside commode, or wheelchair and helping with ambulation. C. Assists the patient/family with incidental household tasks essential to the patient’s health needs such as light housekeeping, making and changing beds, dusting and vacuuming patient’s room, dish washing, tidying kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, delivering... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?665 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:25:15 GMT Jobs http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?664 Licensed Practical Nurse - PRN (5 positions available) Tallahassee, FL Title: Licensed Practical Nurse - PRN (5 positions available) Tallahassee, FL Description: A team nurse specially trained in the Hospice concept to provide for the personal, physical, emotional and social needs of the patient/family unit. He/she works with the interdisciplinary team to provide continuous care in order to meet the care and needs of the patient/family unit. A. Provides continuous care to a designated patient up to 12 hours per shift in a 24-hour period following the established Plan of Care formula by the primary or on-call RN. B. Reassesses the patient/family unit at planned intervals, contributing to the ongoing updating and maintenance of a written Hospice Care Plan. C. Maintains complete, accurate and up-to-date medical records. Documents per Plan of Care, each shift prior to completing shift. Signature and title are required on all documentation. D. Participates in IDTcare conferences upon request. E. Communicates on a... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?664 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:22:29 GMT Jobs http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?661 RN - FT (Mon - Fri, some weekend call) Crestview, FL Title: RN - FT (Mon - Fri, some weekend call) Crestview, FL Description: The RN is a professional nurse specially trained in the Hospice concept to provide for the personal, physical, emotional and social needs of the patient/family unit. He/she works with the Interdisciplinary Team to facilitate patient care activities; provide advice, support and assistance to the team members as needed and is responsible for ongoing patient/family evaluation and assessment. The RN is an active participant in the Hospice program including community education. A. Competently performs all basic nursing skills. (See attached “New Employee Nursing Skills Lists”). B. Conducts initial physical assessment of patient in the home. C. Makes home visits for physical and emotional assessments of patient/family units. D. Develops and maintains a written Hospice Care Plan for each patient and updates twice monthly and as needed. E. Maintains... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?661 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT Jobs http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?663 Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner - Pensacola/Milton/Inpatient Facilities Title: Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner - Pensacola/Milton/Inpatient Facilities Description: Internal Applicants Only ARNP will cover the Pensacola, Milton areas and Inpatient Facilities. The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practitioner performs history and physicals, works closely with other members of the interdisciplinary teams, and assists physicians to initiate and modify interventions to relieve patient suffering. A. Performs history & physical exams focused on relief of suffering which include the following areas: disease history, social & spiritual history, physical & psychological symptoms, physical exam, decision making capacity & review of living will, information sharing and identification of goals of therapy. B. Works closely with the other members of the interdisciplinary teams, including Hospice Physicians, in the development, review and modification of comprehensive plans of care. C. Works closely with the collaborating... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?663 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT Jobs http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?662 Partners In Care Program Coordinator - Marianna & Panama City, FL Title: Partners In Care Program Coordinator - Marianna & Panama City, FL Description: Posting End Date: 3/26/10 Internal Applicants Only Will cover Marianna and Panama City area An RN, SW or marketing staff member specially trained in the Hospice concept and knowledgeable about regulations governing long-term care facilities, adult living facilities, and hospitals. This position is a member of the Marketing and Outreach Team. A. Educates all Covenant staff on PIC procedures. B. Stays abreast of rules and regulations guiding Hospice care in facilities. C. Helps to develop and implement a plan for in-servicing contracted facilities, in collaboration with the Community Education staff assigned to the territory. D. Develops in-services for Covenant Hospice Staff and facility staff, as needed, based on surveys, PI Committee meeting suggestions and issues brought to the Internal PIC PI Committee meetings. E. Develops ongoing relationships with and provides education... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?662 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT Jobs http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?660 RN Case Manager - Tallahassee, FL (Madison and Perry area) Title: RN Case Manager - Tallahassee, FL (Madison and Perry area) Description: RN Case Manager needed to cover the Madison and Perry area. The RN is a professional nurse specially trained in the Hospice concept to provide for the personal, physical, emotional and social needs of the patient/family unit. He/she works with the Interdisciplinary Team to facilitate patient care activities; provide advice, support and assistance to the team members as needed and is responsible for ongoing patient/family evaluation and assessment. The RN is an active participant in the Hospice program including community education. A. Competently performs all basic nursing skills. (See attached “New Employee Nursing Skills Lists”). B. Conducts initial physical assessment of patient in the home. C. Makes home visits for physical and emotional assessments of patient/family units. D. Develops and maintains a written Hospice Care Plan for each... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?660 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT Jobs http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?657 Clinical Manager - Tallahassee, FL Title: Clinical Manager - Tallahassee, FL Description: Posting End Date: 03/27/10 Responsible for the overall management of the Interdisciplinary Team. Provides overall supervision of staff as well as providing support and assistance as needed. Facilitates patient care activities. A. Manage the Interdisciplinary Team, ensuring appropriate delivery of Hospice services to patient/family units. Coordinate and supervise field staff to provide optimum quality patient/family care. Direct Administrative Staff in the management of office business. B. Ensure appropriate development and maintenance of a written plan of care for each patient/family unit and update as needed. Make periodic visits to patient/family units for the purpose of: 1. Evaluating nursing care, volunteers, the interdisciplinary team and general quality of service provided. 2. Performing annual supervisory visits with all field nurses on team, and Hospice Aides. 3. Assessing to ensure that appropriate... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?657 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT Jobs http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?659 Hospice Aide - FT - Crestview, FL Title: Hospice Aide - FT - Crestview, FL Description: Responsible for providing personal patient care and related services for terminally ill patients in home or home-like settings. A. Competently performs all basic Hospice Aide skills as listed on the “New Employee and Annual Hospice Aide Skills List.” This Hospice Aide Skills List must be completed annually and submitted with the annual performance evaluation. B. Assists the patient with personal care which may include bathing, oral hygiene, hair care, routine skin care, catheter care, feeding, dressing, grooming, transfers from bed to chair, bedside commode, or wheelchair and helping with ambulation. C. Assists the patient/family with incidental household tasks essential to the patient’s health needs such as light housekeeping, making and changing beds, dusting and vacuuming patient’s room, dish washing, tidying kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, delivering needed supplies, and... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?659 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT Jobs http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?658 Health Information Technician - Tallahassee, FL Title: Health Information Technician - Tallahassee, FL Description: Posting End Date: 03/29/10 Maintains medical records for patients admitted to Covenant Hospice. A. Responsible for providing all medical records services in a manner consistent with the mission statement of Covenant Hospice and according to Covenant’s Policies and Procedural Manuals, especially the Medical Records/Health Information Procedure Manual. B. Responsible for providing outstanding customer services to all who use the services of medical records/health information. C. Responsible for answering inquiries regarding medical records/health information. D. Responsible for protecting the integrity and confidentiality of all medical records/health information. E. Responsible for 100% concurrent review of daily documentation to ensure completion of the Medical Record. F. Responsible for requesting & obtaining required documentation for daily compliance of Policy & Procedure guidelines. ... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?658 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT Jobs http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?655 Hospice Aide - FT (2 available positions) Milton, FL Title: Hospice Aide - FT (2 available positions) Milton, FL Description: Responsible for providing personal patient care and related services for terminally ill patients in home or home-like settings. A. Competently performs all basic Hospice Aide skills as listed on the “New Employee and Annual Hospice Aide Skills List.” This Hospice Aide Skills List must be completed annually and submitted with the annual performance evaluation. B. Assists the patient with personal care which may include bathing, oral hygiene, hair care, routine skin care, catheter care, feeding, dressing, grooming, transfers from bed to chair, bedside commode, or wheelchair and helping with ambulation. C. Assists the patient/family with incidental household tasks essential to the patient’s health needs such as light housekeeping, making and changing beds, dusting and vacuuming patient’s room, dish washing, tidying kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, delivering... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/j/?655 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT Content Managers http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cms/152/ Partners In Care Newsletters PIC Home Newsletter Education Staff PIC Toolkit Summer 2008 Issue If you have any ideas, articles, or shout-outs you would like to see published in our upcoming PIC Newsletter, we want to know! Please contact us by emailing karen.cash@covenanthospice.org . Archives: 2008 Spring 2007 Fall 2007 Summer 2006 Summer 2005 Fall 2005 Spring 2004 Fall 2004 Spring 2003 Fall 2003 Spring http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cms/152/ Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:34:53 GMT Content Managers http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cms/462/ A Message from President & CEO, Dale O. Knee On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and volunteer of Covenant Hospice, I would like to personally thank you for visiting our website to learn more about Covenant Hospice and the services we provide. We feel so fortunate to be able to provide care to almost 1,300 patients throughout 35 counties each and every day. I hope that our website has provided you helpful information about end-of-life issues, and I hope that when the times comes, that you will entrust your loved one to our care. I am going to address some questions below that we receive frequently here at Covenant Hospice. However, if you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us. Sincerely, Dale O. Knee President & CEO of Covenant Hospice About Dale Knee Frequently Asked Hospice Questions Who is eligible for hospice? Do patients have to give up their own doctors? Is hospice care only for cancer patients? I live in an assisted living facility or nursing home. Why would I... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cms/462/ Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:55:45 GMT Content Managers http://www.covenanthospice.org/servicearea Service Area <img height="394" alt="" src="http://www.covenanthospice.org/attachments/files/65/ServiceArea08.gif" width="700" border="0" /> http://www.covenanthospice.org/servicearea Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:12:32 GMT Content Managers http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cms/156/ Partners In Care Educational Resources PIC Home Newsletter Education Staff PIC Toolkit As you make educational preparations during the year 2008, Covenant Hospice would like to continue to be available to you as an educational resource. The Partners In Care Program is able to offer the following in-services to the community. You may schedule in-services by speaking with your local area Covenant Community Educator. If you need to know how to contact your Community Educator or have questions about the in-services, you may call the Education Department at 800-541-3072 or 850-202-0913. We look forward to hearing from you! Teamwork between Teams: Different Personalities, Collaborative Care – Illustrates how bringing together two teams of people with different personality types affects the dynamics of work interaction and provides tips on working together and resolving conflict. Target audience: All... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cms/156/ Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:25:46 GMT Content Managers http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cms/86/ Studer Group, a national healthcare leadership and management development group, and Covenant Hospice announce an exciting new partnership, which will include collaboration for multiple services for health care organizations. The new services will include training programs for leaders involved with providing end-of-life care (including palliative, home health, long term care and hospice care), specialized consultation services, and an Institute concentrating on end-of-life issues. The two organizations will also harvest and develop new tools and teaching material. Studer Covenant Alliance Mission and Vision Statements Excellence in End-of-Life Care The Alliance combines the hardwired processes of Studer Group with the expertise of Covenant Hospice in providing end-of-life care to help others in this arena make a greater difference. The Alliance will provide evidence-based tools and processes that hospice and palliative care organizations can immediately use to create and... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cms/86/ Fri, 21 Sep 2007 18:47:47 GMT Content Managers http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cms/363/ About Covenant - Video <p> <object codeBase="http://activex.microsoft.com/activex/ controls/mplayer/en/nsmp2inf.cab#Version=6,0,02,902" type="application/x-oleobject" height="200" standby="Loading Microsoft Windows Media Player components..." width="200" classid="CLSID:22D6F312-B0F6-11D0-94AB-0080C74C7E95"> <param name="FileName" value="/attachments/wysiwyg/1/module2.mpg" /><param name="autoStart" value="1" /><param name="showControls" value="1" /><embed name="MediaPlayer1" src="/attachments/wysiwyg/1/module2.mpg" autostart="1" showcontrols="1" width="200px" height="200px" type="application/x-mplayer2" pluginspage="http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/MediaPlayer" ></embed> </object> module 2</p> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cms/363/ Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:27:15 GMT Content Managers http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cms/121/ Covenant Hospice Inpatient and Palliative Care Center at West Florida Hospital Rooms and Amenities Family Suites Accommodations for one patient with an electric bed and a private restroom. Each suite will have a comfortable family area for visiting and sleeping accommodations for one family member. Semi-Private Rooms Accommodations for two patients with two electric beds. Each room will have a comfortable seating or sleeping area for both families. Private Rooms Accommodations for one patient with an electric bed and a private restroom. Each room will have a leather recliner for sitting or sleeping. Family Room A place where family and loved ones can spend time together. The room has a table to seat four, a television cabinet with television, a hutch to hold children's toys, a washer/dryer for personal use, snacks and drinks, and comfortable seating. Conference Room A place where staff can hold group meetings with three workstations, two square tables, eight conference chairs, two wing chairs and tables to match, lamps, pictures, and... http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cms/121/ Mon, 27 Aug 2007 19:20:25 GMT Content Managers http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cms/91/ Defining Principles for Employee and Volunteer Values <p class="style3">As an Employee or Volunteer of Covenant Hospice, I will: </p> <ul class="style3"> <li>Respect the worth, dignity and diversity of each individual, and not discriminate against or refuse to treat any patient for any reason;   </li> </ul> <ul class="style3"> <li>Be honest and adhere to high ethical and professional standards by fulfilling all my commitments to the organization, job applicants, our patients and their loved ones;   </li> </ul> <ul class="style3"> <li>Be responsible to my profession, my patients, my co-workers and my job functions by seeking appropriate assistance for issues or problems that could impair my performance or judgment;   </li> </ul> <ul class="style3"> <li>Be judicious in the use of all resources, while providing a high quality of care and services, and strive for continuous quality improvement in order to support the organizations integrity and reputation;   </li> </ul> <ul class="style3"> <li>Be supportive of a creative atmosphere in which individual and team initiatives for innovative care and services will flourish, and provide due recognition for individual and team performance;   </li> </ul> <ul class="style3"> <li>Be sincere, candid and open in my communication with coworkers, affirming a sense of cooperation and respect within our organization;   </li> </ul> <ul class="style3"> <li>Be flexible, supportive and responsive to changing circumstances to enable our organization to maintain its position as a leader in hospice care. <b> </b> </li> </ul> <p class="style3"><a href="/en/cms?14">Covenant's Mission Statement</a></p> <p class="style3"><a href="/en/cms?90">Defining Principles for Patient Care Values</a></p> <p class="style3"><a href="/en/cms?93">Defining Principles for Organizational Values</a></p> <p class="style3"><a href="/en/cms?10">Who is Covenant Hospice? </a></p>  http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cms/91/ Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:50:11 GMT Content Managers http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cms/90/ Defining Principles for Patient Care Values <p class="style3">As a not-for-profit provider of hospice services, Covenant Hospice:</p> <ul class="style3"> <li>Affirms life and neither hastens or postpones death;   </li> </ul> <ul class="style3"> <li>Without discrimination, serves individuals with any life-limiting illnesses or condition who reside within the authorized service area;   </li> </ul> <ul class="style3"> <li>Understands the patient, family, life partner and network of friends are a “unit of care” and are all active participants in the development of a comprehensive care plan;   </li> </ul> <ul class="style3"> <li>Respects the choices and values of those we serve concerning the quality of life they seek to maintain;   </li> </ul> <ul class="style3"> <li>Strives to relieve suffering through focusing on the whole person physically, emotionally and spiritually through an interdisciplinary team of staff, volunteers and other community resources;   </li> </ul> <ul class="style3"> <li>Provides support services for the family, life partner and friends, and continuing after the death of the patient;   </li> </ul> <ul class="style3"> <li>Acts within a consistent set of ethical principles embracing autonomy, beneficence, non-malfeasance, justice and integrity of the hospice provider; and,   </li> </ul> <ul class="style3"> <li>Monitors and assesses quality of care, services and programs on an ongoing basis to assure continuous quality improvement and corporate compliance with laws, regulations and procedures. </li> </ul> <p class="style3"><a href="/en/cms?14">Covenant's Mission Statement</a></p> <p class="style3"><a href="/en/cms?91">Defining Principles for Employee and Volunteer Values</a></p> <p class="style3"><a href="/en/cms?93">Defining Principles for Organizational Values</a></p> <p class="style3"><a href="/en/cms?10">Who is Covenant Hospice? </a></p> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cms/90/ Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:47:14 GMT Content Managers http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cms/93/ Defining Principles for Organizational Values <p class="style3">As An Employer, Covenant Hospice: </p> <ul class="style3"> <li>Respects the worth, dignity and diversity of all individuals. Covenant Hospice will not discriminate in employee selection or refuse employment on the basis of race, color, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or disability if reasonable accommodations can be made;   </li> </ul> <ul class="style3"> <li>Expects staff and volunteers to adhere to high ethical and professional standards;   </li> </ul> <ul class="style3"> <li>Recognizes the value of employees and volunteers who foster cooperation and consensus within our multi-disciplinary organization;   </li> </ul> <ul class="style3"> <li>Supports a creative atmosphere which encourages individual initiative, open communication, personal responsibility and employee growth;   </li> </ul> <ul class="style3"> <li>Respects confidentiality toward patients, families, colleagues, applicants, and any sensitive situation arising within the organization;   </li> </ul> <ul class="style3"> <li>Believes in providing just and fair recognition for individual, team and departmental performance; and,   </li> </ul> <ul class="style3"> <li>Expects each employee and volunteer to fulfill their obligations and commitments so that effective, courteous and efficient care and services are provided each patient, family member, co-worker, vendor, supplier and other customers. </li> </ul> <p class="style3"><a href="/en/cms?14">Covenant's Mission Statement</a></p> <p class="style3"><a href="/en/cms?90">Defining Principles for Patient Care Values</a></p> <p class="style3"><a href="/en/cms?91">Defining Principles for Employee and Volunteer Values</a></p> <p class="style3"><a href="/en/cms?10">Who is Covenant Hospice? </a></p> http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/cms/93/ Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:45:10 GMT Survey http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/sur/?1 Lorem ipsum survey Objectives: <p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diem nonummynibh euismod tincidunt ut lacreet dolore magna aliguam erat volutpat. Ut wisis enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tution ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis te feugifacilisi. </p> <p>Duis autem dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit au gue duis dolore te feugat nulla facilisi. </p> <p>Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci taion ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex en commodo consequat. Duis te feugifacilisi per suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex en commodo consequat.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diem nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut lacreet dolore magna aliguam erat volutpat. </p> <p>Ut wisis enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci<br><br>Release Date: Jul 17, 2006 11:23 AM<br>Expiration Date: Oct 17, 2006 11:23 AM<br><p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diem nonummynibh euismod tincidunt ut lacreet dolore magna aliguam erat volutpat. Ut wisis enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tution ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis te feugifacilisi. </p> <p>Duis autem dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit au gue duis dolore te feugat nulla facilisi. </p> <p>Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci taion ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex en commodo consequat. Duis te feugifacilisi per suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex en commodo consequat.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diem nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut lacreet dolore magna aliguam erat volutpat. </p> <p>Ut wisis enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci http://www.covenanthospice.org/en/sur/?1 noemail@covenanthospice.org Mon, 17 Jul 2006 16:23:35 GMT