Get Palliative Blog

A Focus on Cancer Patients (A Chat with Dr. Diane Meier, MD – Part IV via Michael Curtis Films)

March 4, 2013

Quality of life issues are getting such focus in medicine these days that it’s easy to assume things were always this way. They weren’t. Patient-centered care was uncommon in most hospital settings even a decade ago.  In the final part of my interview with Dr. Diane Meier, we talk further about the role of palliative care in medicine both now and in the future.
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Palliative Care and the Human Connection: Ten Steps for What To Say and Do

February 20, 2013

Dr. Diane E. Meier is Director of the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC,) a national organization devoted to increasing the number and quality of palliative care programs in the United States.

In this video, Dr. Meier discusses 10 important steps in palliative care from over a decade of research. This video will serve as a valuable training tool and guide for medical professionals and their families.

Under her leadership the number of palliative care programs in U.S. hospitals has more than doubled in the last 5 years.

Portraits of Life, Love and Legacy through Pediatric Palliative Care

February 13, 2013

This project was inspired by the extraordinary spirit and legacy of countless children with severe illness and disability and their families. It is also a testament to the compassion and dedication of palliative care team members who have helped the families navigate the complexities of care.

The goal of this film is to increase awareness and understanding of pediatric palliative care. It showcases what care can be and should be for every family facing these challenges. The program at Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron, Ohio, is presented as a model of care that can be successfully developed and sustained in communities and pediatric hospitals across the country.

The film is appropriate for current and future health care professionals, educators, health care administrators, legislators and the community.

To order the DVD, fill out the order form and return, along with payment information to:

•Email: [email protected]
•Fax: 330.325.5903
•Mail: Office of Palliative Care, NEOMED, St. Rt. 44, PO Box 95, Rootstown, Ohio 44272

For more information, please contact:
Office of Palliative Care
330.325.6360 or 330.325.6359

Morphine: Myths and Reality

February 2, 2013

The mere mention of “Morphine” can be enough to conjure up all sorts of negative thoughts in patients and their family members. Some people may be afraid of becoming a drug addict while others may think that only people who are ready to die should take Morphine. Doctors, too, can be afraid of using Morphine (and similar drugs), largely due to misinformation and lack of training. … Read More

Quality of Life

December 2, 2012

The term Quality of Life is often used at a time when patients, families and health care professionals are trying to understand the impact of a serious illness. … Read More

Planning for the Future: A Living Will Update

December 2, 2012

What if you suffered a traumatic head injury or a heart attack and ended up in a hospital intensive care unit with little hope of regaining your former way of life or even the ability to communicate with your loved ones? What kind of medical treatments would you choose for yourself? Would you want aggressive medical intervention?

Obviously, these are situations most people would rather not contemplate while they are healthy. And yet a number of high-profile legal cases have recently arisen from such circumstances. These ethical conflicts and controversies of end-of-life care underscore how difficult it can be for families and medical professionals to make life-and-death decisions for people who are no longer physically able to speak for themselves. … Read More

Being a Happier, Healthier Caregiver

December 1, 2012

When Helen’s mother had a stroke in 1994, Helen became her caregiver. Working full-time as a teacher and living an hour’s drive from her mother, each visit takes at least half a day.

Fortunately, Helen’s mom’s stroke left few physical side effects, so she was able to remain independent for awhile. Even so, she still needed someone to help her be more attentive to her blood pressure and the rest of her medical care. … Read More

Are you caring for a loved one? You don’t have to do it alone.

November 23, 2012

Does someone you love have a serious illness? If so, you are one of the millions of Americans caring for a sick family member. You may be just checking in and picking up the groceries, or you may be taking care of your loved one around the clock. It’s never easy. Palliative care can help. … Read More

The Journey of Palliative Care

October 4, 2012

Explore palliative care, and follow the experience of Joyce Jann and her family, as they work with the palliative care team at Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, Florida.

Early Palliative Care: Improving Quality of Life

September 14, 2012

A landmark study on the integration of palliative care during early onset of a cancer diagnosis was recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Jim Windhorst, a stage IV lung cancer patient, describes how palliative care helped him cope with his illness.

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