I received this email from the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Partnership, a member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). These proposed cuts would drastically affect hospice for Medicare beneficiaries. (Hope its o.k
Read more…When I was a resident Chaplain at the University of Kentucky, I would often baptize those who were dying. On one occasion, I was given the task of baptizing an aborted child that did not make it through labor. I was given a small fetus in an empty ro
Read more…One of the situations that many of us in hospice often find challenging are visiting nonverbal patients. By "nonverbal," I mean patients who are awake, but not able to verbally communicate. I would like to know how others respond to similar situation
Read more…
People sometimes make assumptions about hospice-palliative care volunteers. A common one is that we are all depressed saints. They probably say this because death in our society has so much sadness surrounding it. The truth is that most of us don’t
I have been present at several death rituals of hospice patients. As a hospice volunteer in Detroit nursing homes, I seldom see my patients’ relatives and friends until there is a death ritual. Most of my patients have few visitors. The closure tha
I have received multiple comments from new volunteer training evaluations about making volunteer training more hands-on or interactive. However, I don't have specifics about what new volunteers are looking for, other than probably more than just havi
Read more…Hi, my name is Kelly McAndrew and I'm the Volunteer Coordinator for Hospice Community Care. I am thrilled that I have over 20 new volunteers from two Universities near our In Patient Unit located in Scranton Pa. Most are pre-med and counseling majors
Read more…In the history of Ayurveda, one of India’s great gifts to human kind, aromatherapy and incense have played a very vital part. The incense is in the first place the simplest product in Aromatherapy and the most basic in Ayurveda. All of the natural in
Read more…I have been in the Hospice world for over 3yrs now and found it very diffcult to find any kind of stats on Hospice Volunteers. Why is that? I can find the basic stuff such as the mandated hours but anything hard like the average size of a volunteer p
Read more…
Some hospice patients are still energetic enough to join other nursing home residents in a Red Hat Society group. Terminally ill patients often maintain their sense of humor. Being part of an invigorating group is an excellent way to uplift spirits
Hospice work is not for everyone. Those who continue to be involved on some level with direct care of patients, as volunteers or paid staff, stay for various reasons. In spite of all the good things said about hospice work, there is always the possib
Read more…
If you are involved in hospice work, you have probably heard about spirit sightings. Hospice patients sometimes discuss their experiences with these sightings. I have had several patients tell me about spirits coming to see them. Patients also spok
As a new Volunteer Coordinator I would like some tips on documentation for IDG meetings as well as general notes in patients files. I would appreciate any tips you can give. Thanks!
Read more…by Rashani Rea & Kathy Douglas
Those who companion suffering daily, such as hospice nurses and volunteers, will surely appreciate this beautiful work. With 62 original art collages by Rashani Réa, five beautiful chapters by Kathy Douglas, and a foreword by Jean Watson, this exquisite book is a peaceful refuge for contemplation, inquiry, reflection and inspiration for those who traverse the joys and sorrows of nursing.
Kathy Douglas, RN, MPH-HA is a nationally recognized nurse leader, filmmaker and entrepreneur.
Rashani Réa is a prolific artist and musician, a creatrice of sanctuaries and a respected spiritual mentor.
“This is a beloved book and beyond a book. It is an evocative, poetic, ecstatic, and inspirited sacred, experiential calling. A calling to you--YES, YOU.”
— Jean Watson, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, FAAN, Living Legend (AAN)
“Those who companion suffering daily need to turn inward to metabolize what they have witnessed. This exquisite book, filled with beautiful images and poetic wise words, is the inspiration and support needed to grow a wise heart.”
— Frank Ostaseski, founder and director of the Metta Institute and author of The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully
“In this unique time of the COVID-19 pandemic, this book should be considered a tribute to the tremendous courage being displayed by nurses around the world. There is much wisdom conveyed throughout by those who have been there serving others with such grace.”
— Greg Schneider President, HVA, co-author of The Changing Face of Hospice Volunteering in Hospice and Palliative Care
