Opportunities for community work in Nicaragua

In March we went to Nicaragua for two weeks. The first week we stayed at "Monty's surf camp" on the west coast in Jiquilillo a small fishing town. We soaked in the sun, met the local people and marveled at the community work that Monty is involved in.

The camp is owned by Monty (Donald Montgomery)a Canadian teacher, is managed by a warm and delightful Gerry, and the cooking/cleaning is done by a warm and welcoming team of people.

I was totally thrilled to see the projects that they are doing in the community. They built and opened a health clinic, provide regular lunches for one of the local schools, installed water filters for families in the area. Currently they are building a community center which will house the Women's Collective and provide space for the women to sew and bake.

If you are interested in community service Monty is very approachable and can link your skills with the local needs. They have had students, interns, physicians, nurses, builders, architects, etc... come to work there.
(Disclaimer and pride filled announcement - Monty is my dear cousin!)

(http://www.montysbeachlodge.com/default.htm)

The Final Disposition De-Mystifying Death, Funerals, Cemeteries & Ceremonies

I received notice of this interesting one day forum titled:

The Final Disposition De-Mystifying Death, Funerals, Cemeteries & Ceremonies.
Mountain View Cemetery is a wonderful location with a beautiful celebration hall where this forum will be held. I have attended a seminar there before, sponsored by Lees and Associates on Cemeteries, and was so impressed with the content and the location.

This particular session will provide a screening of the film "A Family Undertaking: Home Funerals in America." When I was a student I studied with a woman who was involved in the making of this film. It is a very interesting film.

The speakers who I know are all quality presenters.... (Romayne Gallagher, from "our" HPC community is an engaging and fabulous speaker. Stephen Olson is one of the real gems in the Cemetery field!)

But mostly, I am impressed at the topics that are being addressed. The topics reflect current issues, and will stimulate fascinating discussion. These topics have been brought forward by professionals working with funerals and cemeteries themselves! Way to go!

If you attend, please be sure to let me know how you find it. I will be returning from a conference in Ontario and on route to the birth of a grandbaby... so doubt I will make it in person ! :)

Saturday, April 24, 2010
10:30 am - 4:30 pm
Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.

11:00 am – Noon Film Screening
“A Family Undertaking: Home Funerals in America”
A one hour, provocative documentary exploring the psychological,
cultural, legal and financial issues surrounding the home funeral movement

12:30 – 1:15 pm Romayne Gallagher
Romayne Gallagher is Providence Health Care’s Division Head of Palliative
Care, and the Physician Program Director for the Palliative Care Program at
Providence.
What is hospice palliative care, what services are available to those living with
a life-limiting illness in Vancouver, dying at home and useful information resources
for patients and families.

1:15 – 2:00 pm Barry Jeske
Barry Jeske is an independent funeral director and co-owner of Wiebe & Jeske
Burial & Cremation Care Providers in Abbotsford.
The Funeral Home, the Funeral Director. What do they do? Does a bereaved
family really need one? Can someone “do it themselves” in British Columbia?

2:00 – 2:45 pm Glen Hodges
Glen Hodges is the Manager of Mountain View Cemetery.
The cemetery is much more than just a place to bury our dead. Learn about the
many roles of the cemetery and how they can help future generations. Even if
your loved ones are not buried here, find out how the cemetery can become an
important place for you, your family and friends.
2:45 – 3:00 pm Break

3:00 – 3:45 pm Stephen Olson
Stephen Olson is the Executive Director of Royal Oak Burial Park in Victoria
Green burial, is it a fad or a trend? From concept to reality, the story behind
Canada’s first urban natural burial site in Victoria’s Royal Oak Burial Park. For
the ecologically minded green burial is regarded as the final act of selflessness
for the benefit of environment.

3:45 – 4:30 pm Paula Jardine and Marina Szijarto
Paula Jardine is the Artist in Residence at Mountain View Cemetery
Marina Szijarto is a contemporary rites of passage celebrant, artist & designer
As long time celebration artists and the creators of MVC’s Night For All
Souls, Paula and Marina have a deep understanding and appreciation for the
power of community experience and expression. They were led to their work
in honouring the dead through personal experience, and a need to understand
- and reclaim - the role of the artist in the sacred life of the community.
They will give an overview of what they have learned about various cultural
practices, and each will talk about ceremonies they have led.

Refreshments: Tea and cookies will be available but please bring your
own snacks/lunch as there are no restaurants on site.
Mountain View Cemetery
Celebration Hall & Courtyard
5445 Fraser St

Registration: The event is free, but registration is mandatory as seating
is limited. Please phone or email the office to confirm your space.
604.325.2646 mountainview.cemetery@vancouver.ca

BCHPCA conference, May 2010, Vancouver/Surrey BC

Hi all, I am excited to announce the upcoming BCHPCA conference in Vancouver BC.

Several years ago I attended the International Congress on the Care of the Terminally Ill in Montreal. I was greatly influenced as I heard internationally renown speakers address the issues that face people dying with non-cancer diagnosis, the challenges that these people experience when they need HPC services but do not qualify, and the challenges we will face in the coming years as the majority of us die following progressive chronic illnesses. (This conference influenced me my development of my presentation titled "Unprecedented! We have never died like this" addressing dying with chronic illness, the changing demographics, and the coming of the Baby Boomers!)

Della Roberts, nurse consultant extraordinaire, and chair of the BCHPCA conference planning committee was also in attendance. When we met in the planning sessions for this conference, we discussed the Montreal conference, the great speakers that we heard there, and some of the speakers who presented at the National Hospice Palliative Care Organization conference in Denver Colorado in Sept 2010. I am thrilled to announce that some of these great presenters will be providing keynote addresses at the BC conference!

This will be an excellent conference for those individuals who may not necessarily be working IN hospice palliative care, but who ARE caring for the dying across the continuum of care, in diverse settings.

I hope to see some of the LDMonline students and some of the college students who are using "Essentials in Hospice Palliative Care" resources at the conference!

BCHPCA Annual Conference

Raising the Torch – Expanding the Vision
May 14-15, 2010
Sheraton Guildford, Surrey, B.C.

Professional and Volunteer Care Providers Working in Hospitals, Hospices
Residential Care, Community Care, Chronic Disease Services, Critical Care,
This Conferences is for you!

We invite all physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals to join with Hospice Palliative Care providers,
administrators, lay leaders, and Hospice volunteers for two days of educational sessions and networking opportunities.

Did you know?

· 2/3 will die with 2 or more chronic diseases after months or years in a state of vulnerable frailty - only 1/5 of us will die with a recognizable terminal phase

· Those sick enough to die, but not sure to die within months, will not be referred to palliative care programs but would benefit from a palliative approach to care

· 260,000 die each year in Canada – projected to increase to 430,000 in just 20 years

· For each death that occurs 5 others are affected – 1.5 Million this year in Canada

Key Speakers:

Dr. Graeme Rocker, Respirologist, “Palliative Care: Expanding the Vision”

Bev Foster, performer & music educator “ENDNOTES: How music can be used as a means of care for both care receivers and caregivers”

Dr. Sara N. Davison, Nephrologist, “A Palliative Approach in End Stage Renal Disease: Shifting the Focus from Aggressive Life Prolongation”

Barbara Morningstar, Hospice Program Director, “What I know now that I didn’t know then”

Camara van Breemen, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Play Therapist & Nurse Practitioner “Care of children & families”

Antony Holland, One of Canada's most acclaimed actors, performing “Tuesday's with Morrie”

For More Information: Call 604-267-7024

To Become a Sponsor: To become a sponsor contact, Dan Levitt, Director, Fundraising and Development, Tel: 604-341-0445

Update from the Quality End of Life Care Coalition of Canada

This morning I received a Press Release from the QELCCC (Quality End of Life Care Coalition of Canada). I am just going to include the statistics on deaths in Canada and projections of death in the coming decades, their priorities, and the link for you to check for further information:

"More than 259,000 Canadians die each year.[1] Of those, only a small proportion receive hospice palliative care. By 2026, with the aging population, the number of Canadians dying each year will increase by 40% to 330,000. By 2036, Canada will see more than 425,000 deaths a year.[2]"

The QELCCC has identified their priorities:

"To continue to improve care at the end of life for all Canadians, the progress report outlines four priorities of the QELCCC over the next 10 years.

• Ensure all Canadians have access to high quality hospice palliative end-of-life care.
• Provide more support for family caregivers.
• Improve the quality and consistency of hospice palliative end-of-life care in Canada. Canadians should expect to receive high quality care in all parts of the country.
• Encourage Canadians to discuss and plan for end of life. Hospice palliative end-of-life care will not be a priority in our health care system until it is a priority for Canadians.
  

For more information on the QELCCC, or to download a copy of the 10 Years Later: A Progress Report on the Blueprint for Action, please visit: www.qelccc.ca.

[1] Population Projections for Canada, Provinces and Territories - 2000 - 2026, Statistics Canada, Catalogue #91-520, p. 110.

[2] Population Projections for Canada, Provinces and Territories - 2000 - 2026, Statistics Canada, Catalogue #91-520, p. 124.

Haiti - There are no words ....

Together with the rest of humanity, we share the sorrow of the people of Haiti and their loved ones wherever they are.

Over the past weeks I have reflected on this tragedy from the perspective of a thanatologist, a hospice nurse, a mom, and a neighbour. Each of these perspectives brings me new thoughts, new questions, and new wonder about how the community is coping, and what they have yet to face.
I am sure that through the rubble, stories of sorrow and stories of triumph will emerge. My concern is for those stories that are not told, not held, and not shared.

Stephen Lewis spoke at the ADEC (Association for Death Education and Counseling) conference a few years ago. He spoke beautifully, in his passionate way - what an orator! He thanked the "grief counselors" for the work that they do - not only locally but internationally. He concluded with a call to respond to individuals who face tragedy and such significant losses in the international community.

I was intrigued by his call to action. I often wonder what we can do to support those whose grief is far beyond any loss or grief that we can begin to comprehend. I was heartened to hear from his perspective, as one so immersed in the losses experienced in Africa, in particular, that despite cultural and language barriers, there is a need for our skills.

As nations reach out to help Haitians rebuild, individuals experienced with grief and death can help survivors face life.

Kath

Meeting with the Gerontology Nurses and Allied Caregivers....Victoria BC

Tonight I had a sweet experience. I met with a group of people specializing in gerontology. Most were nurses, some were Resident Care Assistants, and we were fortunate to have a Social Worker in our midst. In the group were a few leaders who have led the way and set a great example to follow. Their commitment to excellent care for our seniors is and always has been evident in their work. In the group there were many nurses and caregivers that I had not met before. The group oozed with enthusiasm for their work.

I reflected on the fact that almost 100% of people who go to live in a long term care facility will die in that facility unless they transfer to another facility. Very few return to independent living. In BC the length of stay has decreased due to shortage of beds and an attempt to keep people in the homes as long as possible. Residents are admitted with more complex issues. This work is "big", this work is "complex". This work is challenging.

I reflect on the concept of a "hospice palliative approach", and the need to address end of life issues from time of admission onward. Palliative Care Australia suggests that 65% of the dying do not need the services of a specialty hospice palliative care service, but can be cared for well with the skills of primary care team. I agree, that many of our dying can be cared for beautifully in the long term care facilities. But adequate funds are necessary to provide this care!

My heart goes out to this team of people who work hard and do so much with so few resources. I wish them the best, and salute them for the great work of care giving that they do!

Way to go!

Warm regards,

Kath

Announcing two NEW WORKBOOKS

In response to feedback from college instructors and hospice colleagues we fine tuned the "Essential in Hospice Palliative Care Workbook". We created one workbook specifically for students in the Practical Nurse program, and a second workbook specifically for Health Care Workers. Both workbooks are companions to the "Essentials" manual, link with the DVDs, PPTs and Podcasts and can serve as a self study guide or for integration into core curriculum. The answer keys for the workbooks will be available in February.

Thanks to all who provided feedback and who reviewed the materials. Thanks to Terry Downing and Kelly Townsend for their contributions!