Hospice Foundation of America: Providing Help for Family Caregivers
~ A Guest Post by Amy Tucci, Hospice Foundation of America
When a loved one is facing a life-threatening illness, family members and friends are suddenly thrust into the role of caregiver with little preparation, and without knowing what to expect. Caregivers need support in adjusting to the news while providing a respectful experience for their loved one. Hospice can help.
AGIS has asked Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) to be its new “Ask the Expert.” Here at HFA, we provide leadership in the development and application of hospice and its philosophy of care with the goal of enhancing the U.S. health care system and the role of hospice within it. We’ve put together a mini-tour of HFA’s website as a way of introducing us to you.
Vital info: You’ll want an expert on your side as you are faced with seemingly overwhelming decisions when a loved one or patient’s illness no longer responds to curative treatments. HFA’s website offers a wealth of information that will guide you through the process of grief and loss, as well as choosing and finding a hospice near you.
Learn and share with HFA’s blog: Caregivers will find a blog devoted to many important issues that affect the quality of care, such as a post on communicating with hospice patients and their families, and another on patient needs around managing pain, instilling hope and managing sibling relationships.
Teaching those who care: HFA educates caregivers and the public about issues surrounding end-of-life. Our website offers a one-stop-shop for books, a newsletter about grief and grieving, DVDs and a guide for caregivers about the dying process.
Professional education: Perhaps most well known is our annual National Bereavement Teleconference that is broadcast live-via-satellite. Shown to over 1,200 sites across the country, the program provides low-cost continuing education credit to nurses, social workers, physicians, funeral directors, counselors, clergy, EMS workers and others. HFA also provides home-study courses and free, continuing education programs for clergy and faith leaders.
Got a question? HFA has an answer. You can send any question to our esteemed panel of experts via AGIS on call to answer all questions from the general public.
So give a look and feel free to comment on this new caregiver resource.
Filed under: Caregiving, End of Life Issues, hospice
Hello -
I just read the information from Hospice Foundation of America on your website.
I wanted to let you know I am a documentary maker and hospice volunteer in Atlanta, Georgia.
I’ve produced a short documentary about end-of- life decision making, palliative care, caregiving and hospice.
It’s called 203 Days.
You can view it in its entirety at the following University of Connecticut website along with a study guide.
It is an unflinching look at the day-to-day interactions between patient and caregiver, in this case an 89 year old woman who is living with her daughter.
http://fitsweb.uchc.edu/Days/days.html
203 Days just won the First Place 2007 Film Award from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO).
If you’d like more information please go to my website
http://bbarash.com/bb_203days.htm
I hope this film is helpful to people who want to know more about some of the most common experiences for caregiver and patient at this difficult time.
Bailey Barash