Teleconference Focuses on Improving Care for Veterans Facing Illness or Death
MidMichigan Home Care, in partnership with The Hospice Foundation of America, will present “Improving Care for Veterans Facing Illness or Death,” a free, national teleconference to area clergy, volunteers and community members. The event will be held Thursday, April 25, from 1 to 3:30 p.m., at MidMichigan Home Care, 3007 N. Saginaw Road in Midland. A live panel discussion will follow from 4 to 5 p.m.
The service, rigors, values and experiences inherent to serving in the U.S. military help shape and define a veteran’s life. As veterans age, these factors may also directly influence how veterans approach serious illness and confront their own deaths.
One in four deaths in the United States today is that of a veteran. With 80 percent of veterans dying in the care of health care institutions outside of the Veterans Administration Health Care System, there is a need to increase understanding of veterans’ needs in all health care settings, and particularly for those caring for dying veterans.
The teleconference will address: The unique components of military culture and experiences; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and ways that PTSD might affect veterans; unique experiences and health risks associated with WWII, Korea and Vietnam War veterans; issues that arise during end-of-life care of veterans, such as pain management and forgiveness; sensitivities and interventions such as reminiscing and life review for veterans and families; systems of care that serve veterans at the end of life; and ways that policies and systems could enhance care.
The presentation provides an opportunity for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for many professions. In order to be eligible to receive CEUs, participants must stay for the local panel discussion from 4 to 5 p.m. and pay the required fee. Local experts will host the panel, facilitating a brief question-and-answer period following the teleconference. Instructions for acquiring CEUs will be given at the teleconference.
Pre-registration for the event is required and due by Friday, April 12. Those interested in attending may call MidMichigan Health Line toll-free at (800) 999-3199.
