March 2006

This March, the anniversary of Terri Schiavo’s death provides a unique opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of advance care planning. NHPCO and Caring Connections are inviting LIVE partners, coalitions and hospices to engage communities in activities to increase awareness about this issue. 

As part of this initiative NHPCO and Caring Connections have created the Advance Care Planning Awareness Ribbon.  Please help raise awareness about the importance of advance care planning beginning in the month of March by wearing the white It’s About How You LIVE ribbon – or a simple white ribbon of your own. 

The following are resources available to complement your advance care planning community outreach activities: 

• Advance care planning awareness ribbon campaign – Wear a white ribbon to promote the importance of advance care planning!  Special ribbon pins are available at NHPCO’s Marketplace 
• Media Relations Tips – offers some basic pointers to assist with media relations in your community
• Key facts about end-of-life care (coming soon) - provides reliable data for your messages to the media and others 
• Key facts about hospice care – provides reliable data for your messages to the media and others  
• Common Questions about ANH (artificial nutrition and hydration)– frequently asked questions about artificial nutrition and hydration (also, see new flyer available)
• Op-ed - a suggested article to submit to your local newspaper or print in your newsletter:  "We're Only Human"

It’s About How You LIVE Campaign Resources

• LIVE Promise card – engage others to make the LIVE Promise and talk to loved ones about their end-of-life wishes!
• Helping People LIVE flyers – gives an overview of the resources and services Caring Connections is providing to people who are dealing with end-of-life issues.   Free copies are available to distribute in your community!  To order, call the HelpLine at 800/658-8898 or e-mail your request to consumers@nhpco.org.
• PowerPoint presentations – to use for community presentations.  Content and speaking notes can be adapted as need.
  • Advance directives outreach presentation
  • Communicating end-of-life wishes outreach presentation
• State specific advance directives are available for individuals at www.caringinfo.org. 
• Caring Connections advance care planning consumer brochures - member discounts are available at NHPCO’s Marketplace. Brochure content can be viewed at www.caringinfo.org (follow the link for advance care planning resources).  Brochure titles include:
  • You have filled out your advance directive.  Now What? (2 page flyer)
  • Ask tough questions (2 page flyer)
  • Conversations before the crisis (12 page booklet)
  • Advance directive and end-of-life decisions (28 page brochure)
  • Health care agents: Appointing one and being one  (28 page brochure)
  • Artificial nutrition and hydration and end-of-life decision making (24 page brochure)
  • Artificial nutrition and hydration at the end of life (New 2 page flyer)
• It’s About How You LIVE campaign toolkit and other community outreach resources are located in at www.LIVEpartners.org.

Call for Proposals Issued for the 2006 Management Conference… NHPCO is accepting proposals for the 2006 Management and Leadership Conference - Quality: Leadership, Care and Outcomes in New York City.  Proposals for innovative “Community Outreach, Marketing and Consumer Engagement” initiatives are highly encouraged!  The deadline for proposals is April 3, 2006.  Join NHPCO’s distinguished faculty; submit your proposal today.   You can read the detailed call for proposals on the NHPCO Web page.   Proposals should be submitted via the online proposal tool.

The Caldwell Partnership for End of Life Care in Lenoir, NC partnered with their local grocery store, bank and hospital to promote conversations in their community about advance care planning.  Over 700 advance directives were distributed and notary services were provided for free!  For more information about their initiative, contact Charity Gray at prc@caldwellhospice.org.