Video: Advance Healthcare Directives

To have your healthcare wishes followed you need to have an Advance Healthcare Directive. Some people want to have as much medical care as possible if they are near the end of life, and others wish to have as little as possible.

SpiritsofCaring.com Plans Fundraisers for Hospice, Women's Shelter, Central Coast Seniors Center

At SpiritsofCaring.com you can read about the caring people who are raising money to make a difference for Hospice Partners of San Luis Obispo, the Women's Shelter of San Luis Obispo, and the Central Coast Seniors Center. Spirits of Caring is a component of the Center for Creative Thought, located at the Central Coast Seniors Center.

The two part fundraiser will include the following.

1. Saturday, August 2, 2008 there will be a Tri Tip BBQ, a Creative Auction, Entertainment and Live Music and Door Prizes at the Central Coast Seniors Center.

2. Saturday Nov. 15, 2008, there will be a Raffle, Live Music, and a salad luncheon, also at the Central Coast Seniors Center.

Christmas and Bereavement

Coping with the loss of a loved one and with holidays at the same time can be one of the most isolating and painful situations. While red bows and words of joy are part of the decorations everywhere, the grieving person feels many mixed emotions. People who are bereaved can feel pain over loss, sometimes guilt over being here without the loved one, relief that someone is no longer suffering, and isolation from the cheerful shoppers and festive music and events. It can be a roller coaster emotionally.

Hospice all over America provides workshops as the holidays are coming up to help bereaved people cope. There are grief groups for every type of loss. In a typical group each member might introduce herself or himself, and describe the loss and the loved one. Facilitators from Hospice provide guidance. It's a time to open up with others who have also experienced a loss and who will understand.

Each loss is completely different. Everything in the groups is confidential, so members feel free to share safely. There is no judging, just unconditional acceptance and listening. Sharing with a group helps to relieve the tension, stress and pain of the grief and people are able to work through the grief.

When the loss of a loved one has occurred during the Autumn or early Winter the comparison of the pain of loss and the festivities make it especially difficult to cope, for many people. Hospice provides a place that is a safe haven for sharing with others, and individual counseling is available also.

National Home Care and National Hospice Month is November

November is National Home Care and National Hospice Month, and an article at Medical News Today says that over "7.5 million American's receive daily assistance from nearly one million caregivers." Val Halamandaris, president of the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, says , "Dedicated people spend their days taking care of those who can no longer care for themselves, making them silent heroes who should be recognized and thanked all year round."

The article, dated November 9, 2007, provides tips to help family members know when it's time to get help from Home Care or Hospice.

It also provides questions to ask when choosing a home care provider.

At the home page for the National Association for Home Care and Hospice you will find information on legislation, caregiving, education, and other consumer information.

The opening page has a quote from Mother Theresa, "Yesterday has gone, Tomorrow has not yet come, We have only today, Let us begin."

There are suggestions for ways to celebrate Home Care and Hospice this month, including recognizing the physical and emotional support that dedicated home care workers provide for those who can no longer take care of themselves alone.