Everyone has a role to play in speaking out for better hospice and palliative care policies. But for many providers, participating in legislative advocacy can be intimidating. How do you get started? Who has the time? Can you really make a difference? At this year’s NHPCO IDC Virtual Conference, three MyHospice Ambassadors discussed these issues, sharing their experiences and insights as frontline providers and frontline advocates.
Trey Gibson encourages advocates to not shy away from showing emotions when telling their stories. “It’s okay to cry. Bring some tissues,” he says. “It’s hard for me to tell Emilie’s story without my nose twitching. I miss her terribly, and that’s okay.”
“Emilie’s illness felt like a race in many ways,” Trey Gibson recalls, “At one point during that race, someone asked me about how things were going, and I replied that I don’t like to lose.” After Emilie’s death, the Gibsons were determined to continue Emilie’s legacy. “My wife Candi and I just decided that we needed to keep running. We needed to contribute. We didn’t want our daughter to die in vain.”
The holiday season can be particularly difficult for those who have been impacted by loss and grief. It can include stressors like increased pressure to be happy or participate in activities. In this edition of the HAN blog, we offer advice for those who are coping with loss and those who know someone who is grieving this year.
We Honor Veterans (WHV) is an ideal example of a program that can connect hospice care—including patients, families, and providers—with their members of Congress.
I never expected to be talking to congressional staff on my second day of work. I especially didn’t expect to sit in on meetings with congressional staff during one of HAN’s biggest weeks of the year, “Hospice Action Week”.
On Wednesday, June 7 hospice and palliative care advocates from across the nation made a difference and presented a united voice in Washington, DC. As a part of the annual Hospice Action Hill Day, over 70 NHPCO and HAN advocates gathered to make legislative visits on Capitol Hill in support of key policy priorities impacting…
As you gather with loved ones this holiday season, seize the opportunity to ensure you are in the driver’s seat when it comes to your care. We at NHPCO are here to help you make informed decisions and take the steps to make sure your wishes are followed at end of life. Start the Conversation Discussing and determining your preferences for health care is called Advance Care…
As families gather this holiday season, they often find themselves in some uncomfortable conversations: politics, religion, or when they plan to have kids. For some, end-of-life planning can be uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to be. It is important to to communicate your wishes to family. We at NHPCO are here to help you and your family make informed decisions and take the steps to make sure your wishes are followed at end of life. This process of discussing and determining your preferences for health care is called Advance…
You should know that grief is often exacerbated around the holidays which can make this time of year especially difficult for you. As we enter the holiday season, consider these strategies, from “What’s your Grief?” to help you cope. Keep in mind, this advice is not one-size-fits-all. Take what works for you and leave the rest. As you navigate this holiday season be gentle with yourself…
