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Covenant Hospice Volunteer Orientation on Sep 8, 2010 1:00 AM

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Covenant Hospice Volunteer Orientation
Start Date: Sep 8, 2010 1:00 AM
End Time: Sep 8, 2010 3:00 PM
Location: Covenant Hospice marianna Office, Marianna, FL 32446
Event Details:

Covenant Hospice Volunteer Orientation

This two hour training is required for all volunteers. Session topics include:

An overview of hospice, including history, philosophy, ethics, goals, services and programs.
An explanation of the Interdisciplinary Team and the concept of palliative care.
An introduction to Covenant Hospice and our “special kind of caring” for patients and families.
An explanation of the role of hospice volunteers, including requirements, guidelines and opportunities.
An opportunity to get to know one another and learn from others’ experiences and volunteer guidelines.

Covenant Hospice marianna Office

4215 Kelson Avenue Suite E

Marianna, FL 32446

Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training- DAY ONE on Sep 8, 2010 1:00 PM

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:00:00 GMT

Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training- DAY ONE
Start Date: Sep 8, 2010 1:00 PM
End Time: Sep 8, 2010 5:00 PM
Location: Covenant Hospice- Pensacola Branch, Pensacola, FL 32501
Event Details:

Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training- DAY ONE

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.

THIS IS DAY ONE OF A TWO-DAY TRAINING.

Covenant Hospice- Pensacola Branch

2001 North Palafox Street

Pensacola, FL United States 32501

Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training- DAY TWO on Sep 10, 2010 1:00 PM

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:00:00 GMT

Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training- DAY TWO
Start Date: Sep 10, 2010 1:00 PM
End Time: Sep 10, 2010 5:00 PM
Location: Covenant Hospice- Pensacola Branch, Pensacola, FL 32501
Event Details:

Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training- DAY TWO

THIS IS DAY TWO OF A TWO-DAY TRAINING

Covenant Hospice- Pensacola Branch

2001 North Palafox Street

Pensacola, FL United States 32501

Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training on Sep 14, 2010 8:30 AM

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training
Start Date: Sep 14, 2010 8:30 AM
End Time: Sep 14, 2010 4:30 PM
Location: Covenant Hospice Defuniak Springs Support Center, Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
Event Details:

Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training

Covenant Hospice Defuniak Springs Support Center

1147 U.S. Highway 90

Defuniak Springs, FL 32433

Covenant Hospice Volunteer Orientation on Sep 15, 2010 5:30 PM

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 22:30:00 GMT

Covenant Hospice Volunteer Orientation
Start Date: Sep 15, 2010 5:30 PM
End Time: Sep 15, 2010 7:30 PM
Location: Covenant Hospice Daphne Branch, Daphne, AL 36526
Event Details:

Covenant Hospice Volunteer Orientation

This two hour training is required for all volunteers. Session topics include:

An overview of hospice, including history, philosophy, ethics, goals, services and programs.
An explanation of the Interdisciplinary Team and the concept of palliative care.
An introduction to Covenant Hospice and our “special kind of caring” for patients and families.
An explanation of the role of hospice volunteers, including requirements, guidelines and opportunities.
An opportunity to get to know one another and learn from others’ experiences and volunteer guidelines.

Covenant Hospice Daphne Branch

1040 Stanton Road, Suite D

Daphne, AL 36526

Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training on Sep 16, 2010 9:00 AM

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training
Start Date: Sep 16, 2010 9:00 AM
End Time: Sep 16, 2010 5:00 PM
Location: Covenant Hospice Perry Branch, Perry, FL 32347
Event Details:

Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training

Covenant Hospice Perry Branch

2057 South Bryon Butler Parkway, Suite 9

Perry, FL 32347

Teen Volunteer Training on Sep 18, 2010 9:00 AM

Sat, 18 Sep 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Teen Volunteer Training
Start Date: Sep 18, 2010 9:00 AM
End Time: Sep 18, 2010 5:00 PM
Location: Covenant Hospice Panama City Branch, Panama City, FL 32405
Event Details:

Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training

Covenant Hospice Panama City Branch

107 West 19th Street

Panama City, FL 32405

Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training on Sep 30, 2010 9:00 AM

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Patient and Family Support Volunteer Training
Start Date: Sep 30, 2010 9:00 AM
End Time: Sep 30, 2010 5:00 PM
Location: Covenant Hospice Tallahassee Branch, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Event Details:

Patient and Family Support Training

Covenant Hospice Tallahassee Branch

1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 102

Tallahassee, FL 32308

Holiday of Hope Marketplace Preview Party on Oct 7, 2010 6:00 PM

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 23:00:00 GMT

Holiday of Hope Marketplace Preview Party
Start Date: Oct 7, 2010 6:00 PM
End Time: Oct 7, 2010 9:00 PM
Location: Dothan Civic Center, Dothan, AL
Event Details:

Covenant Hospice is pleased to announce our 6th Annual Holiday of Hope Marketplace at the Dothan Civic Center. The event will kick off with a Preview Party on Thursday, October 7 and shopping days Friday, October 8 & Saturday, October 9.

This shopping extravaganza includes vendors from across the tri-state area bringing fine gifts, unique specialty items and boutique treasures. Proceeds from this special event benefit the Dothan Branch of Covenant Hospice.

As a Preview Party guest, you will be the first to shop all of the priceless treasures at this one of a kind event.

Shop early before doors open to the general public
Dance to live music
Bid on silent auction items
Take home great door prizes
Enjoy food from local restaurants and a cash bar
Tickets to the Preview Party are $30

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Jennifer Griffin, toll free (877) 244-7379 or (334) 794-7847. Visit the Holiday of Hope Marketplace website for more information.

Dothan Civic Center

Blue Jean Ball on Oct 9, 2010 6:00 PM

Sat, 09 Oct 2010 23:00:00 GMT

Blue Jean Ball
Start Date: Oct 9, 2010 6:00 PM
End Time: Oct 9, 2010 11:00 PM
Location: Crestview Community Center, Crestview, FL 32539
Event Details:

Please join us Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 6 pm at the Crestview Community Center. Dine and dance the night away in the comfort of your favorite blue jeans! Enjoy a delicious steak dinner, decadent dessert buffet, available bar, and silent auction.

Entertainment by:

Jaded Klark
Special performance by The Northwest Florida State College Show Choir "The Soundsations" and
A special performance of "Dancing with the Covenant Stars Competition"

Tickets are $40 each or $70 per couple. All proceeds from this event benefit the caring services of Covenant Hospice in North Okaloosa and North Walton Counties. Purchase your tickets online or by phone at (850) 598-5003.

For more information, visit the Blue Jean Ball website at http://support.covenanthospice.org/bluejeanball

Crestview Community Center

100 Hathaway Street North

Crestview, FL 32539

Grief Support Group on Sep 21, 2010 11:00 AM

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:00:00 GMT

Start Date: Sep 21, 2010 11:00 AM
End Time: Sep 21, 2010 12:00 PM

First United Methodist Church

214 S. Partin Dr

Niceville, FL 32578

Holiday of Hope Marketplace on Oct 8, 2010 9:00 AM

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Start Date: Oct 8, 2010 9:00 AM
End Time: Oct 8, 2010 6:00 PM

Dothan Civic Center

Holiday of Hope Marketplace on Oct 9, 2010 9:00 AM

Sat, 09 Oct 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Start Date: Oct 9, 2010 9:00 AM
End Time: Oct 9, 2010 6:00 PM

Dothan Civic Center

Grief Support Group on Oct 19, 2010 11:00 AM

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:00:00 GMT

Start Date: Oct 19, 2010 11:00 AM
End Time: Oct 19, 2010 12:00 PM

First United Methodist Church

214 S. Partin Dr

Niceville, FL 32578

Grief Support Group on Nov 16, 2010 11:00 AM

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:00:00 GMT

Start Date: Nov 16, 2010 11:00 AM
End Time: Nov 16, 2010 12:00 PM

First United Methodist Church

214 S. Partin Dr

Niceville, FL 32578

Grief Support Group on Dec 21, 2010 11:00 AM

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:00:00 GMT

Start Date: Dec 21, 2010 11:00 AM
End Time: Dec 21, 2010 12:00 PM

First United Methodist Church

214 S. Partin Dr

Niceville, FL 32578

Grief Support Group on Jan 18, 2011 11:00 AM

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:00:00 GMT

Start Date: Jan 18, 2011 11:00 AM
End Time: Jan 18, 2011 12:00 PM

First United Methodist Church

214 S. Partin Dr

Niceville, FL 32578

Covenant Hospice awards Heart of Hospice to Eden Springs Nursing Home

Don Ruth — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:00:00 GMT

Tallahassee, FL - Covenant Hospice recently presented the Heart of Hospice Award to Eden Springs Nursing Home upon receipt of a hospice consult at Capital Regional Medical Center on a very sick patient with specific needs. Covenant Hospice worked with the case manager in trying to obtain options for placement and care for the patient. After extensive review of the patients’ needs and multiple attempts at placement of the patient fell through, Eden Springs Nursing Home was positively receptive to evaluating the patient for placement and was willing to accept her even though her case was complex.

Covenant Hospice along with Eden Springs Administrator, Chuck Cascio, were able to coordinate and initiate nursing care, respiratory care and education to the staff with regards to the patients special needs. Inpatient care was extended to the patient by the Covenant Hospice staff in collaboration with Eden Springs staff.

The patient, for the first time in months, was actually smiling and was happy to be at the facility and out of the hospital. She had a wonderful weekend with her family and was content. The patient unfortunately did pass away just a few days later. The compassionate dedicated employees for the Eden Springs Nursing Home were instrumental in providing this patient with loving care in her last days for this we are grateful.

Thank you to Eden Springs for allowing Covenant Hospice to work with you as a team to provide our patient and her family happiness and peace in her last days, which is the intended mission for both of us.

PHOTO:

Cathy Benardella, RN, DON, Chuck Cascio, NHA, Barbara Sutherland, LPN, evening supervisor, Nancy Peters, LPN, MDS Coordinator, Laura Register, RN, unit manager, Elizabeth Schlein, DBO, Covenant Hospice, Donna Davis, RN, ADON

Jun 22, 2010 10:00 AM

Common Hospice Myths

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:30:00 GMT

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.

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.

Myth: Hospice is a place. 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.

Myth: The hospice myth that patients will die immediately when hospice care begins. 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”.

Myth: Hospice patients have to give up their own doctor. 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.

Myth: Hospice is only for cancer patients. 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.

Myth: Hospice is too expensive for most families. 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.

Myth: All hospice organizations are the same. 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.

Jul 27, 2009 11:30 AM

IDG: A Team Approach to Care

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:15:00 GMT

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jul 27, 2009 11:15 AM

Hospice Physician: Not a Replacement

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jul 27, 2009 11:00 AM

Hospice or Home Health

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jul 27, 2009 11:00 AM

Hospice Inpatient Facilities

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

Jul 27, 2009 11:00 AM

Hospice: Not Just for Cancer

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jul 27, 2009 11:00 AM

Hope

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jul 27, 2009 11:00 AM

Can My Doctor Provide Hospice Care?

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jul 27, 2009 11:00 AM

Alzheimer's Disease and Your Family

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jul 27, 2009 11:00 AM

Covenant Hospice launches pilot program to help bereaved children

noemail@covenanthospice.org — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Pensacola- Covenant Hospice announced today the launch of a new pilot program to help children who are dealing with the loss of a loved one. The Butterfly Bag pilot project is part of the Covenant Hospice Children’s Support Services program. The Butterfly Bag is a specialized grief kit to help children express and process their feelings of grief and loss. The Butterfly Bag contains age-appropriate materials that were carefully selected for use with children who have experienced a loss. Also included in the bags is a Parent Pack, which contains helpful information about how to talk to children about issues related to death and dying. The Butterfly Bag program has been generously funded by the Switzer Foundation, the Dugas Family Foundation, and the Community Services Foundation of Bay County. As part of the pilot program, bags will be distributed to children by Covenant Hospice staff in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay Counties in Florida. In the future, the...

Covenant Hospice Help Patients, Families and Friends Stay Connected with New CarePages.com Services

noemail@covenanthospice.org — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:00:00 GMT

Pensacola, FL - Covenant Hospice now offers patients, their families and friends direct access to CarePages.com, an online community of millions of people coming together to share the challenges, hopes and triumphs of anyone facing a life-changing health event.

Through free, personalized CarePages websites, Covenant patients and caregivers relate their stories, post photos and update friends and family instantly. In turn, visitors can send messages of love and encouragement. Carepages will also connect people to Alzheimer’s Family Services (AFS) and the patients and families of the Partners in Care Together for Kids program of Covenant Hospice.

In addition to giving patients and families emotional support, CarePages.com makes it easy for patients and families to recognize Covenant Hospice staff members who have provided superior levels of care. The service also gives them the opportunity to support Covenant Hospice and volunteer efforts.

With this new service, Covenant Hospice is in the forefront of a growing trend among health care providers to improve the overall patient experience by recognizing and meeting their emotional needs.

“CarePages helps Covenant Hospice move forward on one of our key priorities-increasing patient well-being and overall patient and family satisfaction,” said Dale O. Knee, president and CEO of Covenant Hospice. “It’s very easy to use, since we’ve integrated CarePages.com with our own Web site www.Carepages.com/CovenantHospice and other patient services,” said Knee.

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Covenant Hospice receives award for Tuck-in Program

noemail@covenanthospice.org — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 19:00:00 GMT

Pensacola, FL - Covenant Hospice received the Award of Excellence in Program Innovation for its Tuck-in Program. The award was presented to Sandra Huster, Director of Volunteer Services at the Florida Hospices and Palliative Care’s 2010 Conference, recently held in Orlando. Florida Hospice and Palliative Care (FHPC) created the Awards of Excellence program in order to identify, recognize and showcase outstanding and innovative work of programs and individual staff members across the state of Florida. Covenant Hospice Tuck-in Volunteer Program began in 2008 with just two branches, then quickly grew to all 11 branches by the end of 2008. The program led by volunteers calls patients that reside at home, at weeks end to follow up and prepare the patients for the up-coming weekend. Volunteers ask questions concerning equipment, supplies, medications and pain management. This program helps to ensure Covenant’s promise of quality end-of-life care. The Tuck-in Program reduced...

Covenant Hospice to celebrate National Nurses Week May 6-12

noemail@covenanthospice.org — Mon, 03 May 2010 14:00:00 GMT

PENSACOLA – Covenant Hospice will honor the work of its registered and licensed nurses who provide compassionate hospice and palliative care to individuals facing end-of-life issues during this year's National Nurses Week, celebrated annually May 6-12 throughout the United States. This year, the American Nurses Association has selected "Nurses: Caring Today for a Healthier Tomorrow as the theme for 2010.

Covenant Hospice nurses are specially trained in pain and symptom control techniques that help to alleviate the suffering often associated with a life-limiting illness. Covenant nurses make regularly-scheduled visits, provide patient and family education, skilled patient care, and are available on a 24-hour per day on-call basis for emergencies.

Annually, National Nurses Week begins on May 6, marked as RN Recognition Day, and ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of nursing as a modern profession. During this week, nurses at Covenant Hospice will be honored by the non-for-profit organization.

Traditionally, National Nurses Week is devoted to highlighting the diverse ways in which registered nurses, the largest health care profession, are working to improve health care. From bedside nursing in hospitals and long-term care facilities to the halls of research institutions, state legislatures, and Congress, the depth and breadth of the nursing profession is meeting the expanding health care needs of American society.

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National Health Care Decision Day - April 16

noemail@covenanthospice.org — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:00:00 GMT

PENSACOLA – Covenant Hospice along with other national, state and community organizations, are leading a massive effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making—an effort that has culminated in the formal designation of April 16 as National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD). As a participating organization, Covenant Hospice is providing information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers, and execute written advance directives, or living wills in accordance with state laws. NHDD is a grassroots effort to promote advance care planning and healthcare decision making. All Americans are encouraged to voice their wishes and take steps to ensure that their choices are known and protected. The process does not take long and it is free. An advance directive is a legal document that tells healthcare providers who it is that you wish to make medical decisions for you and what treatments you would...

Covenant Hospice and National Association of Social Workers Celebrate National Social Work Month

noemail@covenanthospice.org — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:00:00 GMT

Pensacola – 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.

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.

“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.”

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.

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Covenant Hospice receives grant from Red Ribbon Foundation

noemail@covenanthospice.org — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Pensacola, FL – 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Covenant Hospice receives grant to increase access to hospice and palliative care for rural and homeless Veterans

noemail@covenanthospice.org — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:00:00 GMT

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...

Covenant Hospice and National Association of Social Workers Celebrate National Social Work Month

noemail@covenanthospice.org — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Pensacola – Covenant Hospice, along with the National Association of Social Workers
(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.

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.

Grants to Increase Access to Hospice and Palliative Care for Rural and Homeless Veterans Awarded by National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

noemail@covenanthospice.org — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:00:00 GMT

(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 &...

Administrative Assistant, Branch Office - Panama City, FL

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:35:00 GMT

Title: Administrative Assistant, Branch Office - Panama City, FL Description: Posting end date: 09/15/10 This position is responsible for performing secretarial duties in support of the branch office. Act as Human Resources liaison between corporate Pensacola Human Resources department and branch office staff. A. Compile patient list and make copies for their branch office staff. Complete Daily Census and forward it to the Pensacola office. B. Document monthly call schedule from Branch Office Manager and fax to answering service. Mail or fax Official Death Reports and Medication Disposal forms to appropriate Sheriff's or Coroner's offices. Update Monthly Disaster Call Back List and forward to Pensacola office. C. Liaison between branch office and the Pensacola office for support needs and work with Continuous Care Scheduler in each area. D. Answer...

RN Case Manager - Panama City, FL

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Title: RN Case Manager - Panama City, FL Description: RN Case Manager 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. ...

Hospice Aide - PRN - Dothan, AL

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Title: Hospice Aide - PRN - Dothan, AL 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...

Partners in Care Together for Kids (PIC-TFK) Hospice Aide - Tallahassee

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Title: Partners in Care Together for Kids (PIC-TFK) Hospice Aide - Tallahassee Description: INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY Responsible for providing personal patient care and related services for terminally ill patients in home or home-like settings. 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. 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. 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,...

Partners in Care-Together for Kids (PIC-TFK) Registered Nurse - Tallahassee, FL

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Title: Partners in Care-Together for Kids (PIC-TFK) Registered Nurse - Tallahassee, FL Description: The RN is a professional nurse specially trained in the palliative and hospice care concept to provide for the personal, physical, emotional and social needs of the patient/family unit. The RN is an active participant in the PIC-TFK program including community education. Competently performs all basic nursing skills, to include pediatrics. (See attached New Employee Nursing Skills Lists). Conducts initial physical assessment of patient in the home within 10 days of admission to PIC-TFK Program and quarterly (at minimum) thereafter and/or on an as needed basis. Makes home visits for physical and emotional assessments of patient/family units. Maintains complete, accurate and up-to-date medical records. Documents all contacts and has documentation in office per policy. Communicates on a regular basis to the PIC-TFK Assistance Program Manager, Director of...

Hospice Aide - FT - Crestview, FL

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 05:00:00 GMT

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 caregiver respite. ...

Receptionist - PT (20 hrs week) Tallahassee, FL...Perry Area

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Title: Receptionist - PT (20 hrs week) Tallahassee, FL...Perry Area Description: Posting Close Date: 09/13/10 Responsible for receiving all telephone calls, greeting visitors to Hospice and the proper routing to appropriate person. As this position is usually the first point of contact with Hospice, it is imperative that callers or visitors be met with courtesy and professionalism. A. Answer all telephone calls courteously and professionally. Route incoming calls to appropriate person. B. Responsible for taking as well as relaying messages accurately and in a timely manner. C. Greets all visitors to the office in a courteous and professional manner. Routes visitors to appropriate staff member. D. Promotes positive image of the Hospice concept to fellow employees and the community. E. Provide assistance to Administrative Assistant in regards to medical records. F. Perform...

LPN - Continuous Care - FT (3 available positions) Tallahassee, FL

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Title: LPN - Continuous Care - FT (3 available positions) 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. ...

RN Case Manager - Tallahassee, FL

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Title: RN Case Manager - Tallahassee, FL Description: RN Case Manager 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. ...

LPN - Continuous Care - FT - Niceville, FL

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Title: LPN - Continuous Care - FT - Niceville, 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...

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Wed, 04 Aug 2010 17:53:47 GMT

Partners In Care Newsletters

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:34:53 GMT

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

A Message from President & CEO, Dale O. Knee

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:55:45 GMT

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...

Service Area

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:12:32 GMT

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 18:47:47 GMT

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...

About Covenant - Video

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:27:15 GMT

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Covenant Hospice Inpatient and Palliative Care Center at West Florida Hospital

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 19:20:25 GMT

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...

Defining Principles for Employee and Volunteer Values

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:50:11 GMT

As an Employee or Volunteer of Covenant Hospice, I will:

Respect the worth, dignity and diversity of each individual, and not discriminate against or refuse to treat any patient for any reason;

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;

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;

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;

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;

Be sincere, candid and open in my communication with coworkers, affirming a sense of cooperation and respect within our organization;

Be flexible, supportive and responsive to changing circumstances to enable our organization to maintain its position as a leader in hospice care.

Covenant's Mission Statement

Defining Principles for Patient Care Values

Defining Principles for Organizational Values

Who is Covenant Hospice?

Defining Principles for Patient Care Values

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:47:14 GMT

As a not-for-profit provider of hospice services, Covenant Hospice:

Affirms life and neither hastens or postpones death;

Without discrimination, serves individuals with any life-limiting illnesses or condition who reside within the authorized service area;

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;

Respects the choices and values of those we serve concerning the quality of life they seek to maintain;

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;

Provides support services for the family, life partner and friends, and continuing after the death of the patient;

Acts within a consistent set of ethical principles embracing autonomy, beneficence, non-malfeasance, justice and integrity of the hospice provider; and,

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.

Covenant's Mission Statement

Defining Principles for Employee and Volunteer Values

Defining Principles for Organizational Values

Who is Covenant Hospice?

Defining Principles for Organizational Values

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:45:10 GMT

As An Employer, Covenant Hospice:

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;

Expects staff and volunteers to adhere to high ethical and professional standards;

Recognizes the value of employees and volunteers who foster cooperation and consensus within our multi-disciplinary organization;

Supports a creative atmosphere which encourages individual initiative, open communication, personal responsibility and employee growth;

Respects confidentiality toward patients, families, colleagues, applicants, and any sensitive situation arising within the organization;

Believes in providing just and fair recognition for individual, team and departmental performance; and,

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.

Covenant's Mission Statement

Defining Principles for Patient Care Values

Defining Principles for Employee and Volunteer Values

Who is Covenant Hospice?

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noemail@covenanthospice.org — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 16:23:35 GMT

Objectives:

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Release Date: Jul 17, 2006 11:23 AM
Expiration Date: Oct 17, 2006 11:23 AM

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