Dementia Patients Suffer Burdensome Transitions - New study in New England Journal of Medicine

Today’s issue of the New England Journal of Medicine includes a study co-authored by NHPCO board member Joan Teno, MD. The study, with researchers from Harvard University and Dartmouth Medical School, found that one-fifth of Medicare nursing home patients with advanced Alzheimer's or other dementias were sent to hospitals or other nursing homes for questionable reasons in their final months, often enduring tube feeding and intensive care that prolonged their demise.

This study is receiving a good deal of media coverage. The abstract of the article is available on the NEJM website. http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa1100347

Volunteer Leadership is the Focus of NHPCO’s Virtual Conference Set for Summer 2012

NHPCO is pleased to announce the dates for a unique educational event focused on volunteerism. Ignite the Future is the theme for NHPCO’s Volunteer Leadership Virtual Conference being held July 30-August 3, 2012.

Hosted online, this educational program is exclusively focused on the art and science of hospice volunteerism. This virtual conference will offer all the benefits of an in-person conference without the added time and expense of travel. Highlights include:

· Live-broadcast plenary sessions featuring national speakers.

· Specific sessions for both new and seasoned volunteer leaders/managers.

· Specific day, August 2, dedicated to Volunteers affording them the opportunity to enhance their skills and participate in a national hospice event.

· Poster presentations and an exhibit hall online.

· Real-time networking in easy-to-use chat rooms.

Being introduced for the first time at an NHPCO conference are IGNITE! Sessions – a new presentation format gaining popularity with many educational institutions. Each of the IGNITE! Sessions will last exactly 5 minutes long with presenters focusing on a single, simple and innovative message that shares personal and professional passions or unique strategies and approaches.

Registration fees for this virtual event are based on the number of Internet connections that your organization uses to access the content. In order to ensure that programs of all size are able to participate, NHPCO has created a sliding-fee scale based on a program’s 2010 Annual Patient Census (which is also used to calculate provider organization’s NHPCO dues).

Visit the conference webpage to learn more and be sure to save the dates to attend this virtual event.

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A Message from Don Schumacher on the Anniversary of 9-11

As we approach the tenth anniversary of 9-11 this weekend, many hospices are hosting events to help their communities deal with the memories of that tragic day. While we reflect on this day that profoundly changed our nation, there are other communities across the country coping with destruction resulting from recent flooding, hurricanes, wildfires and other life-altering events. Whether you are remembering the legacy of September 11 or facing more recent tragedies let me share the pride that I feel from being a part of the hospice and palliative care community. I continue to be inspired by lessons of strength and resilience that I learn from you all. During the upcoming weekend, take time to acknowledge those you love and the community you are a part of.

Don Schumacher
NHPCO President & CEO