We
have created this website to help the people of Grand
Island learn about the support services available
to the seriously ill and their caregivers. Caring
for an ailing relative can be one of the saddest
and most difficult experiences in a family’s
history together. But it can also be one of the most
fulfilling, meaningful and intimate, a time of great
healing and tenderness as the patient and family
learn to live fully now, yet plan for tomorrow.
Our purpose is to guide you to
community programs so
you can get help with the day-to-day demands of serious
illness. We also have information here to assist you in
understanding more about the medical
aspects of care, as well as
common emotional
and spiritual issues.
The section on Important
Decisions can help you address legal
and financial matters. There’s even an article on
health care planning, and one on starting a conversation
with the person you care for so you will indeed know more
about what he/she values in life and can be sure to respect
those wishes.
You
can download
an advance directive from
this website. Or, request a Respect
My Wishes Kit which
helps you organize all your important medical information
in one, easy-to-find place. If you are interested in
other websites dedicated to end of life issues, check
out our resource page for families.
Have a question? Ask
our expert! Within 2 business days you will receive
an e-mail answer from a qualified social worker, nurse or chaplain. Interested
in research on serious illness and end of life care? Check out our section
on Research Results.
You can even access the report on the 2004 Nebraska
End of Life Survey.
For
professionals, we have resource materials
available to assist you in learning more about advances in palliative care. Doctors and nurses will
be interested in the referenced citations and opportunities for Continuing
Medical Education units. Attorneys and social
workers each have a page of resources including
links for continuing education units and articles relevant to their professions.
We have a page on resources for clergy,
as well as a page devoted to resources for long
term care administrators. Also in
our professionals' section, members of the media will
find news releases and background information, including referenced statistics.
How ever it is that you have
come to be involved with serious illness, we hope that
this website will serve as your resource for compassionate, practical
and well-researched information. If you would like to
be a part of supporting the seriously ill and their families,
please consider joining our coalition.
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What
is an Advance Directive?
This
is a document that tells people your wishes
regarding life support should you be in
a situation where you are unable to speak
for yourself. It spares your family the
heartbreak of having to guess what you
would want. It also makes your wishes known
to your health care providers. |
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Respect
My Wishes Kit
Help
emergency personnel care for your loved
one. This orange and brown folder sticks
to your refrigerator and contains all the
medical documents needed to quickly determine
treatments based on your loved one's wishes. Order
the kit today, from our
website. It's FREE!
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