NewsLine - February 2012 - (Page 1)

The Monthly Membership Publication of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization February 2012 Inside Caring for LGBT Patients Sexual orientation and gender identity are complex constructs that aren’t easy to make sense of. So what are the wrong questions to ask and what are the right ones when caring for patients at the end of life? Kimberly Acquaviva, a noted authority on LGBT aging, provides valuable guidance. Gearing Up for Hospice Advocacy in 2012 Hospice in the Continuum In partnership with the local faith community, Family Hospice and Palliative Care launched a Transitions program in 2011 to improve access among African Americans in Pittsburgh’s Greater North Side. Learn more about the partnership and the results so far. The Voice of NCHPP NCHPP Spiritual Caregiver Section leader, Bonnie Meyer, discusses the need for a standardized tool to measure spiritual suffering— but also shares a tool now in use at Hospice of the Bluegrass. Two Free Events to Help You Hone Your Skills and Hit the Hill Running ith every member of the House of Representatives, one third of the Senate and the White House up for election in 2012, the new year is going to be another political nail-biter—especially with issues like the national budget crisis and entitlement reform hanging in the balance. So what does this mean for hospice advocacy? It means that engaging members of Congress, both on the Hill and in their home states, is going to be even harder than last year. While the summer months are generally the height of legislative activity during any Congressional session, the elections will make June and July more eventful and action-packed. To make sure “the voice of hospice” is heard through the noise, NHPCO and its affiliate, the Hospice Action Network (HAN), are offering two opportunities to help members hone their advocacy skills, network with colleagues, and begin building or developing relationships with members of Congress. And they’re making both events free for NHPCO provider-members and staff. continued on next page Meet NHPCO Hospice Ambassador, Torrey DeVitto Short Takes • Helping Families Cope With Grief • MLC Learning Journal Wins the Gold • National Center Hosts Coalition W Member News and Notes Regulatory Tip of the Month Resource Links to Bookmark News From FHSSA

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NewsLine - February 2012

Gearing Up for Hospice Advocacy
A Message From Don
MLC 2012 (display ad)
Caring for LGBT Patients
The Voice of NCHPP
Measuring Spiritual Suffering
Spiritual Caregiver Section Monthly Chats
NHF 2012 Gala (display ad)
FHPC’s Transitions Program for African Americans
State Hospice Profiles (display ad)
Experience the ACHC Difference (display ad)
Meet NHPCO’s Hospice Ambassador, Torrey DeVitto
FHSSA Partnership Program (display ad)
Short Takes
Member News and Notes
Regulatory Tip of the Month
Educational Offerings
Resource Links to Bookmark
Videos Worth Watching
News From FHSSA

NewsLine - February 2012