Library Programs Focus on National Hospice Month
Posted By: Liz Goodrich
Date Posted: 11/1/2002
Join local experts and special guests at 6:00 p.m. on November 13th, 2002 at the Bend Public Library for a program celebrating National Hospice Month and end-of-life care in Central Oregon.
It is appropriate that the definition for the word hospice means shelter or lodging for travelers. Today, hospice is a program that provides medical and other care for the terminally ill, but the original definition is still applicable. Although it is not necessarily a place, hospice provides much needed shelter and respite along the sometimes bumpy road families face caring for loved ones at the end of their lives.
In honor of National Hospice Month, Deschutes Public Library and Hospice of Bend-LaPine join together to open the sometimes taboo topic of death and dying for discussion. According to Sharon Strohecker, Director of Hospice of Bend-LaPine “death is not something people like to talk about.” However, these types of programs are critical, states Strohecker. “By bringing end-of-life-issues out into the open, people are given the opportunity to share their desires and wishes about something very important, how they want their last days to be.”
“Americans want to die at home,” states Ann Jackson, Director of Oregon Hospice Association who will join the discussion at the Library. Jackson sites statistics gathered in 1998 that identifies Oregon as the national leader in end-of-life care. Oregonians enjoy the lowest hospital death rate, choosing over and over again to live their final days at home, surrounded by family and friends.
The program includes a screening of “Journey’s: Compassionate Care at the End of Life,” a video produced by St. Charles Medical Center, Center For Health & Learning followed by a panel of speakers with time for questions. This program is free and open to the public. For additional information about this program, please contact Liz Goodrich at 617-7072.
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