November marks the observance of Hospice and Palliative Care Month (Join the conversation: #HospiceMonth), and Ohio’s Hospice affiliates are actively engaged in offering education about hospice and palliative care to other clinicians who care for those facing life-limiting illnesses. Continuing education credits are available for nurses and social workers on a variety of topics being presented by Ohio’s Hospice staff members.

Community Care Hospice highlights heart disease in a program November 1 called “Recognizing the Progression and Improving Outcomes in Heart Failure.” Participants will learn to identify the progression of heart disease and what community resources are available to help improve care for heart patients.

“Compassion Fatigue/Vicarious Trauma (When Caring Hurts)” is the focus of a presentation planned at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton on November 8. Caregivers are particularly susceptible to burnout resulting from compassion fatigue. This presentation helps participants recognize symptoms and define strategies to avoid the negative effects of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.

In Springfield, Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice will offer clinicians insights on November 8 on how to help those struggling with grief to better cope during the holiday season and recognize the challenges presented to professional caregivers supporting those experiencing loss. The session is called “Coping With Grief at the Holidays.”

Palliative care will be the focus of a November 9 presentation at Ohio’s Hospice of Butler & Warren Counties. “Follow the Yellow Brick Road: the Heart, the Brains, the Courage in the Provision of Exceptional Palliative Care” will define the difference between palliative and hospice care and discuss pain management principles, communication skills and barriers to effective care.

Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County will feature physician Amy Mestemaker, MD, in a November 14 program focused on “Conducting a Compassionate Advance Directive Conversation.” Participants will gain strategies for introducing the topic, sharing information about options available in Ohio and possible consequences if no advance directives are in place.

Each of the programs qualifies for continuing education credits for either social workers or nurses. For additional information, contact Lillian Stratton at lstratton@ohioshospice.org or 937.603.9336.

Check back to our website for hospice & palliative care topics all month long in honor of #HospiceMonth!