Making Choices About Hospice

Making Choices About Hospice

What is hospice?

Hospice is a special healthcare option for patients and families faced with a terminal illness.

Hospice care is for patients who have a terminal illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less; those who are no longer receiving curative treatment; have a focus on pain and symptom management with the goal of enhancing the quality of life.

Hospice is a team that takes many people to meet the unique needs of each patient, including the patient, the family, physicians, nurses, hospice aides, social workers, counselors, and trained volunteers.

Why choose hospice care?

Hospice specializes in control of pain and other symptoms so patients and families can focus on making the most of the time they have left together. When a person is diagnosed with a terminal illness, family and friends share their illness. Counselors can assist patients and families, with not only the physical pain and symptoms, but emotional and spiritual needs too.

Not all hospices are the same. All hospices have a set of guidelines and regulations to follow, but beyond those each hospice, just like a doctor’s office or pharmacy, have specific services and programs to better assist their patients and families to provide them with the individualized care they deserve.

Who pays for hospice?

Hospice is covered under Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance company’s. Some hospices have programs or accept donations or memorials to help provide care regardless of ability to pay.

Where is hospice care provided?

Hospice care is provided in the setting that best meets the need of the patient and family. People often think hospice is a place; actually, hospice is a service that comes to the patient and is provided in the home or home-like setting, including Private Home, Home Care, Nursing Home Care, Assisted Living, Hospice Home (like Relais Bonne Eau), or Inpatient Hospital Care.

When is it time to call hospice?

The best time to learn about hospice is before it is needed. Understanding the healthcare options, the hospice process, and end-of-life journey before it happens can relive lots of anxiety and stress that can be associated with death. Most hospices provide educational presentations or will meet with no obligation to answer any questions individuals have.

Making a referral is appropriate when the patient has a terminal illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less, wants comfort care rather than curative treatment, or curative treatment is no longer the choice or option of the patient. Hospice is a service provided to individuals with many diagnoses. Cancer patients are most known to call hospice, but hospice care can benefit those dealing with all end-stage diseases, including heart disease, lung disease, Alzheimer’s, stroke, AIDS, and others. Referrals to hospice can be made by physicians, social workers, discharge planners, nursing home employees, family members, friends, clergy, and patients.

Too often referrals are not made until the patient has uncontrolled symptoms or is near death. Although hospice can do much to assist at this time, the patient and family can benefit more if hospice is called early in the end-of-life journey. No one has to die alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help. Call 1-800-233-1708 to speak with a member of our team to talk about any questions concerning hospice care, our expertise since 1981. 

Black Friday Cyber Monday #GivingTuesday

Black Friday, Cyber Monday… #GIVINGTUESDAY

            Hospice of Southern Illinois has joined #GivingTuesday, a first of its kind effort that will harness the collective power of a unique blend of partners – charities, families, businesses and individuals – to transform how people think talk about, and participate in the giving season. Coinciding with the Thanksgiving Holiday and the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to charities and causes they support and help create a better world. Taking place December 3, 2013 – the Tuesday after Thanksgiving - #GivingTuesday will harness the power of social media to create a national moment around the holidays dedicated to giving, similar to how Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become days that are, today synonymous with holiday shopping.

Currently, more than 6,500 corporate and non-profit organizations have committed to participate in the initiative, including Hospice of Southern Illinois, your community not-for-profit hospice. Consider Hospice of Southern Illinois as not-for-profit of choice to give to this holiday season. You can donate online at www.hospice.org, call 1-800-233-1708 and ask for the development department, or download our app and donate from your cell phone. Please help us spread the word about #GivingTuesday and the true meaning of the holiday season! Here are a few ways you can join the global movement!

1. Donate to your favorite not-for-profit.

2. Take an #unselfie photo and post it to social media. (see photo above)

3. Donate your time.

4. Share this message.  

#GivingTuesday is endorsed by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, Dorothy A. Johnson Center on Philanthropy, Giving Institute, Giving USA Foundation and InterAction. Charity Navigator, Givewell and Guidestar are serving as Charity Advisors. VolunteerMatch is a volunteer advisor to #GivingTuesday. Hospice of Southern Illinois is committed to being with our patients and their loved ones through the changing needs of the end-of-life process and the grief experience. For more information contact Christine Juehne, 618-235-1703 or cjuehne@hospice.org, or visit www.givingtuesday.org. 

Every day Is A Bonus

Hospice of Southern Illinois joined the We Honor Veterans program not knowing how we could better serve the veteran population. Yesterday was the perfect example of why we became a partner and how to show appreciation to Veterans who have served this country. In honor of National Hospice Month and Veteran’s Day, Hospice of Southern Illinois sponsored Honor Flight The Movie. Honor Flight The Movie, a heartwarming documentary about living WWII Veterans who were privileged to go to the WWII memorial at no cost due to efforts by the Honor Flight Network, is undefined by words.

Not only did we show the movie, but also so many organizations and companies came together to make this a day to remember with lots of pomp and circumstance. Veterans, admitted into the movie at no cost thanks to the Veteran Corps of America, were escorted on a red carpet by ROTC members and Hospice of Southern Illinois' volunteers. They were then provided free popcorn and soda due to generous donations. Finally, they were greeted as they entered the Wehrenberg O’Fallon 15 Cine theater. They attended a powerful ceremony filled with special guests, patriotic music, and celebrations of each branch of service (click here to watch a clip). After the ceremony, Honor Flight The Movie played, which to describe in words was emotional, triumphant, and epic. Our hearts melted for every Veteran and their family who stood in front of us that day and who we have known or lost throughout the years.

(Honoring the Branches of Service)

(Left: Our own Kim Oplet, Marine and Hospice of Southern Illinois Employee. Right: ROTC Color Guard)

(Last photo before the movie started.)

            Several said, “It was the best movie I have ever seen!” A Veteran shared, “I went on the Honor Flight. This movie was…(pause with a big smile) just like I remembered it.” Others only locked eyes and no words were needed. We feel this event was the perfect celebration and educational opportunity we could have offered as a commitment to the We Honor Veterans program.

            A special thank you to all the Veterans, donors, volunteers and attendees who made the day possible. It was a big day and for those Veterans who won’t or can’t attend the WWII memorial in Washington D.C., we hope we made this day as special to you as it was to give it. As Joe Delmer, WWII Veteran, put it, “Every day is a bonus.” Let this be a reminder of why we celebrate Veterans Day and all the sacrifices that were made because freedom is never free. 

          For more photos from the day click here. For information how to apply to get on an Honor Flight, become a guardian, or make a donation visit: http://www.honorflight.org/faq/. To support Hospice of Southern Illinois' efforts to provide end-of-life care to Veterans in your community, contact our development team at 1-800-233-1708. 

Happy Veterans Day from Hospice of Southern Illinois 

November is National Hospice Month

Hospice of Southern Illinois Helps Community Learn About Special Care Hospice Provides

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and hospices across the country are reaching out to raise awareness about important care issues for people coping with life-limiting illness. Throughout the month of November, organizations across the nation are hosting activities that focus on celebrating this unique system of support and the benefits provided by the loving care of hospice. Hospice of Southern Illinois is committed to bringing important information to the communities we serve, so we are encouraging everyone to participate in the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organizations’ social media campaign to raise awareness about what hospice is and what hospice is to them. To participate, employees, community leaders, and general public should take a photo of themselves holding a sheet of paper that says, “Hospice is… ________” and fill in the blank with a word that describes what hospice is to them. After taking the photo, post it on their personal Facebook Page and tag Hospice of Southern Illinois in the post or comment section so we can see it on the Hospice of Southern Illinois’ Facebook Page. Don’t forget to use the hash tag #hospicemonth to take part in being a hospice advocate for National Hospice and Palliative Care Month 2013!

“Every year, more than 1.65 million people living with a life-limiting illness receive care from hospice and palliative care providers in this country,” said J. Donald Schumacher, President and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. “These highly-trained professionals don’t only provide quality medical care. They work to make sure patients and families find dignity, respect, and love during life’s most difficult journey.”

Hospice is more than traditional healthcare. Hospice and palliative care programs provide pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support, and spiritual care to patients and their families when a cure is not possible. Hospice and palliative care combines the highest level of quality medical care with the emotional and spiritual support that families need most when facing the end of life.

“After working at Hospice of Southern Illinois for many years, I figured I knew what hospice was. It was not until I saw Hospice of Southern Illinois’ nurses, volunteers, and social workers in action with my own family that I realized what it really stood for. It brought forward a whole new understanding of end-of-life care. As my supervisor always says, ‘You may remember how smart or how pretty someone is, but you will always remember how kind someone is.’ When I saw the special attention and kindness my own co-workers provided my loved one, I fully understood hospice from that point forward.” said Christine Juehne, Print and Social Media Coordinator at Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Additional information about hospice, palliative care, and advance care planning is available from Hospice of Southern Illinois, your community not-for-profit hospice, at www.hospice.org. NHPCO’s Caring Connections offers information and resources for professionals and consumers at www.caringinfo.org. 

Intake Nurses Improve Customer Service

     Hospice is a special healthcare option for patients and families who are faced with a terminal illness. A multi-disciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, bereavement counselors and volunteers works together to address the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of each patient and family. The hospice team provides care to patients in their own home or a home-like setting regardless of the patient’s age or ability to pay. There are many things to consider when making a decision about hospice, including how you were treated when you called for the first time.
     Hospice of Southern Illinois focuses on patient and family-centered care and we want to make sure the transition into hospice care is a smooth one. No one has to die alone. One way we are working hard to make sure that with your first contact, whether it’s a question about hospice care or a loved one who needs hospice care, we have consistency, compassion, efficiency, effectiveness, and experience. To ensure this happens, we have hired intake nurses. The intake nurse has a responsibility to:
         
- Consistently be a point of contact for people who make a referral

- Coordinate our team and transition individuals smoothly into hospice care

- Show compassion and be friendly

- Use their hospice expertise to assist healthcare professionals and community members with the best plan for the patient’s individual needs

     This new position has proved successful and has improved our customer service. You can always be at ease calling Hospice of Southern Illinois because you know we are committed to be with our patients and their loved ones through the changing needs of the end-of-life process and grief experience, starting with the initial phone call!

{Meet Bobbie from the Belleville location and Debbie from the Marion location}

Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.

Live well, laugh often, and love much,

Christine Juehne

Hospice of Southern Illinois

Community Education

1-800-233-1708

www.hospice.org

Hospice of Southern Illinois is the Recipient of a $5,000 Wells Fargo Grant

     Hospice of Southern Illinois is the recipient of a $5,000 Wells Fargo grant which will be used to provide hospice care to patients and families. Wells Fargo Advisors team member and Hospice of Southern Illinois volunteer, Kathleen Murphy, nominated the not-for-profit for the Wells Fargo Volunteer Service Award, and received notification of the grant for her charity, earlier this month. “We are so honored to be recognized by this prestigious financial institution,” said Susan Reilmann, Development Manager of Hospice of Southern Illinois. “We want to thank Kathleen for her dedication as a volunteer, her nomination of our programs and services, and her passion for advocating hospice care.”
     Kathleen Murphy’s family called Hospice of Southern Illinois ten years ago when both her mother-in-law and father-in-law were dying. “Hospice was a Godsend to us in a very rough time,” she explains. Her in-laws died just 13 days apart. When Kathleen felt the urge to give back something to her community, hospice was the first place that came to mind.
     Today, Kathleen, who lives in Fairview Heights and works at Wells Fargo Advisors’ downtown St. Louis headquarters, assists in the mailing of over 2,000 bereavement brochures monthly to individuals who have lost someone in the past. She has worked on numerous fundraisers, health fairs, and trivia nights to raise funds for the quality patient care that Hospice of Southern Illinois provides. She also works one morning a month at the Hospice House, Relais Bonne Eau. Kathleen thoroughly enjoys the volunteer work and feels a great sense of satisfaction in knowing she’s helping to make someone's final days as comfortable as possible for them and their families.
      Hospice of Southern Illinois is your community not-for-profit hospice program serving 27 counties in southern Illinois since 1981. For more information about Hospice of Southern Illinois, visit our website, www.hospice.org, or contact Christine Juehne, 618-235-1703 or cjuehne@hospice.org.

Veteran Story - Eugene Scroggins

Meet Eugene, a patient at Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Hospice of Southern Illinois met Eugene a short time ago when his doctor recommended hospice to help him through his end-of-life journey due to terminal cancer. Eugene is just like many of us. He is full of love for his spouse, family, and dog, Miko. He smiled at little jokes I cracked and give me a hard time when I told him to share his life story in about 30 seconds for the video he was helping us with stating, “I can’t raise up a farm in 30 seconds”. Although Eugene is like us in many ways, he is, however, dealing with what we will all experience someday in life, our end-of-life journey.

I sure hope I can be as strong, positive, and humble as this man. He is also a proud Veteran. Hospice of Southern Illinois hopes Eugene’s story will help other Veterans and individuals with a terminal illness understand that hospice can help people be pain free, relieve some day-to-day stress and anxiety, and keep them in their home or home-like setting through their final days. Learn more about Eugene’s story.

Eugene, also known as Gene, was born and raised on a farm in Bunker Hill. Gene, a proud Veteran, served in the Navy from June 1951 to June 1955. Because he was getting close to the drafting age, he joined following in his brothers’ footsteps. He spent most of his service on the USS Albuquerque PF-7 in Korea. Years after he returned home to family and friends, he met his wife Shirley years later at a local diner.  

Gene had a job hauling milk from the local farmers to the dairy. During his route to the Collinsville dairy he would stop at a drive-in called Pat’s Restaurant, which Shirley’s parents owned. She’d hop into the truck and they would chat over lunch. Their first official date was in “1956… or was 1957” - Gene challenges due to the fact that it was New Year’s Eve. Gene and Shirley have lived a full life full of unexpected moments and wonderful blessings including 4 boys of their own, who are all over the world, and 2 grandchildren, who unfortunately are no longer with them. Today they are settled on a 3-acre home with their Chihuahua, Miko, and enjoy their peaceful property and large garden.

            Gene shared that he feels hospice is keeping him pain free and at home with those closest to him. He wants other Veterans and people to know that Hospice of Southern Illinois “has a lot of love and care for their patients.” He added leaning into Shirley, “and hospice saves a lot of wear and tear on her body and mine too.” They not only turn to hospice for support, but they also rely on their church family. They left us with a quote they live by everyday, “You are not discouraged unless the situation you face seems bigger than the god you serve – how big is your God?” They stressed to always tell those you love that you love them with all your heart, for it could be the last time you see them.

Thank you, Gene, for your service and for sharing your story! Gene’s story will always be remembered and that story will help reassure others that when treatment is no longer a choice or an option, Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to help.

Hospice of Southern Illinois
1-800-233-1708
www.hospice.org

Healthcare Reform 101

Healthcare reform can be a sticky subject, filled with politics, legal jargon, and layers of detail. This can make healthcare reform confusing and unapproachable. Don’t run far now that the topic is in front of you here! Blue-Cross Blue-Shield and Walgreens have teamed up to show their commitment to helping people understand Healthcare Reform, specifically the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which took effect back in 2010. Big changes are to come in 2014, so we are helping Blue-Cross Blue-Shield and Walgreens with their efforts by spreading the word here on our blog.

Instead of going into all the details here, visit www.LearnAboutReform.Com and read up on a short description of what the ACA is, how it affects the insured, uninsured and underinsured, and a very informational FAQ that breaks down the information so you know what action to take and what to hold onto as your little FYI (for your information) notes. For example, one Q & A reads:

“What is the new healthcare law? The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law in 2010. It was designed to expand access to and improve the quality of healthcare for Americans. Some of the healthcare changes took effect immediately while others are being phased in over time. Large parts of the law will become effective on January 1, 2014. The biggest effect of the ACA is that people who previously couldn't afford or qualify for coverage will now be able to sign up for health insurance.”

While healthcare reform may seem overwhelming, hopefully, this resource and educational tid-bit will ease your mind and help prepare you for the road ahead. Help us share, educate, and reach out by subscribing to our blog and suggesting it to friends who will spread our message: Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.

Live well, laugh often, and love much,

Christine Juehne

Hospice of Southern Illinois

Community Education

1-800-233-1708

www.hospice.org

We Love Social Media!

     Hospice of Southern Illinois is always working on ways to show our community involvement and commitment to be with our patients and their loved ones through the changing needs of the end-of-life process and the grief experience. That includes our online community. Read about what we are up to online!

CaringBridge
The newest resource we are promoting is through another nonprofit organization, CaringBridge. This nonprofit refer to themselves, "as an online space where you can connect, share news, and receive support. It’s your very own health social network, coming together on your personalized website... available 24/7 to anyone, anywhere, at no cost."

We want it to be an opportunity for patients, families, and friends of Hospice of Southern Illinois to have another support resource. Several health care organizations recognize www.CaringBridge.org as a reputable source, and encourage their patients and families to utilize it too. We encourage you to check it out: http://www.caringbridge.org/about. Feel free to share it with someone you know who needs it, or create your own if and when you need it! They have two services which you can explore below:

• CaringBridge Sites
  Our personal, protected sites make it easy to stay connected during any type of health event. Family and friends can visit the site to stay informed and leave supportive messages.


• SupportPlanner
  Our SupportPlanner is a calendar that helps family and friends coordinate care and organize helpful tasks, like bringing a meal, offering rides, taking care of pets and other needs.

Social Media
As most of our online community is aware we are on social media, however may not know all the places you can find us online. We want to invite you to all our social media pages because we love social media! It is a great way to learn about you, stay connected, share stories, and give you what you need! We are posting on Facebook and Twitter to connect with the community for updates on hospice news, health care topics, Hospice of Southern Illinois upcoming events, and Hospice of Southern Illinois community involvement. We have a blog page and YouTube channel to educate the community about all topics hospice and Hospice of Southern Illinois. Finally, we have just joined Pinterest as a way to interact with the community and tell stories through pictures. Find us, get to know us, and interact with us so we can be the best we can for YOU!

     Help us share, educate, and reach out by subscribing to our blog and suggesting it to friends who will spread our message: Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.

Live well, laugh often, and love much,

Christine Juehne

Hospice of Southern Illinois

Community Education

1-800-233-1708

www.hospice.org

Advance Directives, DNR, POLST: What does it all mean?

Advance Directives, DNR, POLST: What does it all mean?



     It can be difficult and overwhelming to discuss end of life choices. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help you navigate the tangled web of information surrounding all these issues and be a resource for people who need assistance making healthcare decisions. It is best to do this sooner, rather than later, so you are not called upon to make these decisions during a time of crisis. When people hear the terms Advanced Directives, or DNR, they tend to think of death and terrible circumstances. It doesn’t have to be that way. Planning for your future should make it easier for you and your family to have some control and to have a plan at a difficult time. Let us help by defining some of the terms and also to explain the newest type of Advance Directive called the POLST form.

     Advanced Care Planning involves discussing your wishes for end of life care and defining a set of legal documents stating those wishes. This includes a Healthcare Power of Attorney (POA) and a Living Will. These are also called Advance Directives. These documents clarify what you or your loved one would want to happen, if you became critically ill. In other words, if you should stop breathing or your heart would stop, what would you want done to you. Not everyone is comfortable discussing these issues. They should be discussed with your physician. You should understand what you are talking about and when these documents become effective. Among the forms being discussed are the Do Not Resuscitate Form (DNR) and a newer form called the POLST form. DNR forms differ from state to state and primarily deal with the patient’s wishes if they have no pulse (their heart stops). It directs the health care providers to either Do or Not Do CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) in the event of death.  POLST stands for Physician’s Order for Life Sustaining Treatment. It is becoming widely accepted in many states.  The purpose of developing the new POLST form was twofold: First, to standardize a DNR form from state to state that would be universally accepted; Second, to help direct care before CPR is needed, and to know the wishes of the patient at a time of medical crisis. All healthcare professionals in Illinois are now being taught how to discuss, help implement and accept the POLST form. It will eventually replace the DNR form but is just becoming known in this region. If you have a DNR form you do not need to have a POLST form, but you may be asked about it.

     The DNR form is still widely available and it is still being accepted as a legal document.  However, it limits the authority to act to a time when the patient actually dies, in other words, when their heart stops. It does not give instructions if you are critically ill, or for instance, you might require long term ventilation support and/or tube feeding/artificial food and hydration to survive.  We would like to explain the new POLST form in more detail.

·         The first difference is that it has one section (A) for CPR;

·         The second section (B) is for Medical Interventions and the extent you wish –(If you are critically ill but still have a pulse) to be treated.  It defines the following terms/levels of care;  

      - Comfort Measures to relieve pain and suffering;

      - Somewhere in the middle, you may want “Limited Additional Intervention” for IV Fluids and less invasive airway support like CPAP or BiPap, (external devices that assist with breathing);

     -  Or would you want to be Intubated and Mechanical Ventilation started; You would likely be sent to the Intensive Care Unit and everything would be done, per your wishes;

·         The 3^rd section (C) allows you to choose if you would want artificial food by feeding tube or just to be fed by mouth if possible, No Artificial Feeding, if you cannot take food by mouth;

·         Section D is for documentation of the person who signs the form: yourself, Parent, Health Care Power of Attorney; or Surrogate decision maker;

·         Section E if for the Attending Physician to sign. This document is not complete unless your Attending Doctor signs it;

·         The back of the form is optional and revolves around other forms you may have and who helped the patient fill out the form.

     When completed, any or all of your Advance Directives should be filled out and kept in a place where you can get to them quickly. Make copies and give one to your physician, your family members and possibly your closest friends.

     For more information or for help filling out these forms: Go to the following links:

http://www.caringinfo.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3287

http://www.cecc.info/resource-links/physicians-order-for-lifesustaining-treatment-polst

http://www.caringinfo.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?/pageid=3383

    

     Help us share, educate, and reach out by subscribing to our blog and suggesting it to friends who will spread our message: Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.



Big Announcement: Honor Flight The Movie is Coming to a Theater Near You!

Big Announcement:

Honor Flight 

is Coming to a Theater Near You!

Sunday, November 10, 2013

(Tickets on sale October 8, 2013)

Wehrenberg O'Fallon 15 Cine

2:00 p.m.

    

     Hospice of Southern Illinois is excited to announce that we are sponsoring the film, Honor Flight, a heartwarming documentary about four living WW II veterans and a Midwest community coming together to give them a trip of a lifetime, a visit to the World War II memorial in Washington D.C.

     Mark your calendar to view Honor Flight with Hospice of Southern Illinois on November 10, 2013 at Wehrenberg O'Fallon 15 Cine (tickets go on sale October 8th). Watch this 2 minute preview and read more about the story behind the film, http://www.honorflightthemovie.com/.

     Please contact Lisa Phillipson, 618-235-1703 or lphillipson@hospice.org, if you want to be on the pre-sale list; tickets are $10. Check out our Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/hospiceofsouthernillinois for updates as we get more information! Hospice of Southern Illinois is committed and proud to be your community not-for-profit hospice taking strides to better serve Veterans and their families. This is just another way we can say thank you to the heroes who have served us!

* * * * *

June is PTSD Awareness Month - WHV Level III Status Achieved

June is PTSD Awareness Month

            Hospice of Southern Illinois is proud to announce our Level III Partner Status in the We Honor Veterans program, a collaboration between the NHPCO, VA, and community hospices.

            As part of our commitment to the We Honor Veterans program, we are helping raise awareness about PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) because June is PTSD Awareness Month. Our involvement, like many other hospices, ensures Veterans are getting the care they are entitled to and deserve. In addition to the healthcare benefits we offer to all patients, our interdisciplinary hospice team of physician, nurses, social workers, bereavement counselors, CNAs, and volunteers has special training to address the unique and specific physical, social, and emotional needs of Veteran patients and families, which can include PTSD.

            PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and can occur immediately following a traumatic event, or even rise up years later (in the case of a hospice patient, during their final months or days). Our mission is to enhance the quality of life at the end-of-life, so it is our goal to relieve PTSD stress and help them cope with their experiences so they can leave this world free of emotional pain. Below are steps to raising awareness about PTSD in order to identify, relate, and reach out.

10 Steps to Raise PTSD Awareness

1.   Know more about PTSD.
Understand common reactions to trauma and when those reactions might be PTSD.

2.   Challenge your beliefs about treatment.
PTSD treatment can help. We now have effective PTSD treatments that can make a difference in the lives of people with PTSD.

3.   Explore the options for those with PTSD.
Find out where to get help for PTSD and learn how to choose a therapist. Also see our Self-Help and Coping section to learn about peer support and other coping strategies.

4.   Reach out. Make a difference.
You can help a family member with PTSD, including assisting your Veteran who needs care. Know there is support for friends and family too.

5.   Know the facts.
More than half of US adults will experience at least one trauma in their lifetime. How common is PTSD? For Veterans and people who have been through violence and abuse, the number is higher.

6.   Expand your understanding.
Learn about assessment and how to find out if someone has PTSD. Complete a brief checklist or take an online screen to see if a professional evaluation is needed. June 20th is National PTSD Screening Day.

7.   Share PTSD information.
Share handouts, brochures, or wallet cards about trauma and PTSD.

8.   Meet people who have lived with PTSD.
Visit AboutFace, an online gallery dedicated to Veterans talking about how PTSD treatment turned their lives around.

9.   Take advantage of technology.
Download PTSD Coach mobile app and treatment companion apps in the National Center for PTSD's growing collection of mobile offerings.

10.        Keep informed.
Get the latest information about PTSD. Sign up for our PTSD Monthly Update, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Resource is provided by: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/about/ptsd-awareness/steps_raise_awareness.asp

     Please contact Hospice of Southern Illinois to speak with one of our special trained staff members about Veteran specific hospice care or PTSD, or visit http://www.ptsd.va.gov. We will be happy to take the time to get your questions answered. Help us share, educate, and reach out by subscribing to our blog and suggesting it to friends who will spread our message: Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.

Live well, laugh often, and love much,

Christine Juehne

Hospice of Southern Illinois

Community Education

1-800-233-1708

www.hospice.org