There are many myths surrounding hospice and while most people would prefer not to talk about the D word, many times this can be to their detriment or that of a loved one.

During this interview with Chaplin Orr of Kindred Hospice, we’ll dispel some of the myths surrounding hospice and gain an understanding of the important role hospice and bereavement services play in enriching our lives during a difficult time.

Expert Panelist:

• • Chaplin Robert Orr, Kindred Hospice
    Kindred Hospice services can be reached by calling (775) 825-5008

Resources:

• • Grief Poem – Kindred Hospice (PDF)
    Below the video, you will also find the Grief Poem written out.

 

–Grief Poem–

“Grief is the last act of love we give to our loved one.
Where there is deep grief there is great love. Grief is a great rite of passage, it is a hero’s journey of courage, of sacred battles, sorrow, love, joy and loss.
Through the darkness of grief we can see the light of love which transcends death. And with the pain can come gratitude for the gift of time we had, the love that was shared and the power to become a better person because they loved us.”

Telehealth has become a lot more common in the past few years. Now with the COVID-19 outbreak, it is a tool that a lot more people are starting to use.

In this interview with Dr. Traci Biondi, with Prominence Health Plan, we learn about the differences between telehealth, telemedicine and a Teladoc.

Dr. Biondi helped us better understand when to use this telehealth and why we all should consider utilizing this service as well as when it may not be appropriate.

We also received some great insights on the coronavirus from a local M.D.s perspective.

Expert Panelist:

• • Dr. Traci Biondi, Medical Director, Prominence Health Plan

Today we spoke with two prominent experts from the University of Nevada, Reno who are an integral part of the Nevada response effort for supporting home-bound elders during the COVID-19 crisis.

Dr. Jennifer Carson and Dr. Peter Reed shared a wealth of information with us about how their programs are supporting our home-bound elders during this crisis.

As we learned, the Nevada CAN program is focused on maintaining the quality of life of over 450,000 homebound older adults in Nevada during the COVID19 pandemic. The goal is to help coordinate aging network partners to ensure Nevadans have access to medical, social, and daily essential items at home.  More information available at: www.nevada211.org

Our key takeaway from our time with Dr Carson and Dr Reed was that if someone is in need of help during the crisis, for themselves or someone they know, there should be no hesitation in reaching out to the CAN Rapid Response team by calling 2-1-1 or visiting the web site at www.Nevada211.org/seniors-covid19-resources.  More information and resources are below along with a recording of the webinar.

Expert Panelists:

• Dr. Jennifer Carson, Dementia Engagement, Education and Research (DEER) Program, University of Nevada, Reno
• Dr. Peter Reed, Sanford Center for Aging, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno

Resources:

• To ensure that Nevadans have access to medical, social, and daily essential items at home, reducing risk of exposure to and impact of COVID-19, those in need should reach out in one of the following ways:
  • DIAL 2-1-1 or 1-866-535-5654
  • TEXT your zip code to 898211
  • VISIT www.nevada211.org
• Link to donate supplies for Nevada elders through Nevada CAN is: https://www.nevada211.org/donate-supplies-nevada-elders/
• Link to request assistance for Nevada CAN social support (and other resources) is https://www.nevada211.org/seniors-request-for-assistance/

Downloads:

• Nevada CAN Rapid Response Presentation (PDF)
• Nevada CAN – NEST Flyer (PDF)
• Nevada CAN – Telehealth Flyer (PDF)

If you pride yourself on being independent and making your own life choices, you’ll want to watch this 90-minute panel discussion about staying independent as you age.

Our expert panelists answered the following questions and much more:

• What happens if I can no longer manage on my own?
• Who is available to help me?
• Are my kids or other family members the best choice?
• What are the most important considerations in order to maintain my independence as I age?

Expert Panelists:

• Barbara Seiler, Revel Rancharrah, (775) 300-6200
• Diane Ross, Continuum, (775) 829-4700
• Ryan Hart, Amada Senior Care, (775) 432-6022

With all that is happening around us, we’ve already heard stories of individuals and families who haven’t adequately addressed an unpredictable event like this or the plan they thought they had in place has gone awry. In this interview we did with Elder Law Attorney Richard Schulze of the Schulze Law Group, we asked Richard about what we need to know about COVID-19 and its impact on our legal and estate plans.