| News Releases |
At a Glance
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For Immediate Release: Ocala, March 01, 2008 |
How Children Grieve: Insights on Helping Youngsters Cope |
Hospice of Marion County is the host site for the 15th Annual Living with Grief® Teleconference on April 16, 2008, 1:30-4 p.m. The event will be held at the Center for Caring and Education, 3231 SW 34th Ave., Ocala. Each recipient who RSVPs will receive a beautiful keepsake book with articles by experts in the field. This year, the bereavement teleconference focuses on the experience of grieving children and adolescents and the ways that all hospice professionals, educators and counselors, parents, social workers, physicians, grief counselors, funeral directors, and clergy can best support these populations as they cope with loss and grief. The program has been approved for 3 contact hours of continuing education (CE) credits for some disciplines; a $25 processing fee and required participation in a 30-minute discussion after the broadcast. Frank Sesno, Professor, Media and Public Affairs, George Washington University and Special Correspondent with CNN, will lead a panel of noted authorities that includes: Kenneth J. Doka, PhD, MDiv from The College of New Rochelle, Nancy Hogan, PhD, RN, FAAN from Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Rita Milburn-Dobson, MA, RNC, FT from Precious Gems Supportive Services, Laura E. Olague, MEd, CT from Children’s Grief Center, Stacy F. Orloff, EdD LCSW from The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, and J. William Worden, PhD, ABPP from Harvard Childhood Bereavement Study. Pre-registration is required, either online at www.hospiceofmarion.com/news.html or call 352-854-5230. |
| For Immediate Release: Ocala, February 6, 2008 |
“Hoofin’ It for Hospice” Benefits Hospice of Marion County |
Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. followed by an aerobic warm-up lead by Adela Anderson, of Anadela in Motion at 7:45 a.m. The walk begins at 8:00 a.m. and walkers will enjoy a delicious continental breakfast upon return—provided by Scrambles Restaurant. Participants can also look forward to the opportunity to win some great prizes. Donations of $15.00 or more will receive a “Hoofin’ It” T-shirt. The largest donations returned to the Hospice of Marion County Volunteer Services Department by March 3 will be awarded prizes at the event. Pledge forms may be obtained at any of the Hospice Thrift Store Locations: Jasmine Square at 6116 SW State Road 200, Ocala, 352.237.7707 Proceeds from the event go directly to patient care at Hospice of Marion County. Last year’s event raised a net total of $7498.00 - thanks to our sponsors and participants. Sponsorship is provided by the Ocala Star-Banner, Scrambles Café and Adela Anderson. For more information, call Jan Hathaway at 352.873.7441. |
| For Immediate Release: Ocala October 30, 2007 |
The Tuscany House: Winner in Healthcare Design’s Architectural Showcase |
The 24-bed Tuscany House is located one mile north of The Villages in Summerfield, FL, and was extensively re-designed by Johnson, Peoples Architects of Ocala. The panel of judges was appointed by The Center for Health Design, and based the award on excellence in:
The Tuscany House meets and exceeds all these requirements, and features an innovative design with four hubs that create intimate areas for visitors, such as family gathering rooms and serenity gardens. “No detail was spared in meeting family needs in an environment that does not look or feel like a medical facility,” says Hospice of Marion County President/CEO Alice J. Privett. “The goal was to remodel the existing structure and produce maximum efficiency for staff and comfort for families.” Walls were removed and eight units closed to create spacious, non-clinical appearing nursing stations that serve 10 suites and 14 private rooms. Each wing is monitored by a nursing to patient ratio of 1 to 4, so more time is spent at the bedside. Although it is equipped with a high level of care, no apparatus is visible. Even the hospital beds are disguised by custom-designed cherry wood frames. The authentic Tuscan theme includes the furnishings and architecture, as well as the lighting, detailing and fountains. Families feel as if they’ve entered the coziness of a bed ‘n breakfast, rather than a sterile medical facility. Amenities include: lighted art therapy ceiling murals, a Sirius sound system, Skype live videoconferencing, plasma TVs, kitchenettes, hydrotherapy, wireless call systems and a full back-up generator with a 7-day food/water supply. Hospice of Marion County has four hospice houses with a total of 64 beds, the most of any hospice its size in the nation. A video tour of the Tuscany House is available online; ask for a free DVD by calling 352.854.5230 or a personal guided tour by appointment, 352.307.3417. |
| For Immediate Release: Ocala October 27, 2007 |
Local Physician Named a “Top Doc” by Florida Hospital Association |
Palliative Care Manager Bonnie Parsons congratulates
fellow Team Leader Dr. Picky Pares on his award. Dr. Segismundo “Picky” Pares was recognized as a “Hospital Hero” by the Florida Hospital Association at its annual meeting held October 17 in Orlando. This distinguished honor was awarded to 10 outstanding healthcare professionals from across the state who have performed service “above and beyond” to care for those in need. Dr. Pares, a medical director for Hospice of Marion County, Inc., also has privileges at Munroe Regional Medical Center; where has was Chief of Staff, 2002; and a Physician Board Member, 2000-2007 (Chairman, 2003). By year’s end, Dr. Pares envisioned a collaborative program between hospice and acute care facilities that would serve patients hospital-wide, not just in the ICU or Emergency Room. With the full support of both the hospitals and hospice, he pulled together a team from both entities to attend a workshop at the Palliative Care Leadership Center in Kentucky to study a hospital/hospice program that most closely resembled the situation in Ocala. The program has proven to be very successful in its six months and year to date, Dr. Pares and the program’s manager, Bonnie Parsons, RN, MSN, GNP, (pictured below at the award ceremony) have conducted 400 consults on patients in hospitals and nursing homes. |
| For Immediate Release: Ocala September 25, 2007 |
AARP Names Local Healthcare Company as One of the Best Employers for Workers Over 50 – Two Years in a Row |
In its announcement today, AARP said it is “…proud to honor outstanding companies for having the foresight to institute policies and practices that value experienced employees.” “During our 25 years as an organization, we have noted that more mature workers are ideally suited for hospice care,” says company President/CEO Alice J. Privett. “The varied and high level of experience they bring to the job, combined with keen insight and a deeply caring manner are the qualities of the ideal hospice employee.” Key areas of consideration in selecting the winners are: recruiting practices; opportunities for training; education and career development; workplace accommodations; alternative work options, such as flexible scheduling, job sharing, and phased retirement; employee health and pension benefits; retiree benefits; and age diversity of the workforce. Fifty-nine percent of Hospice of Marion County and its companies’ employees are over 50; 48 percent of the new hires in the past 12 months are 50+. “Recruitment of experienced workers is critical to a company’s success,” adds HR Director Roy J. Hoxworth. “Employees in this age group have experienced the discretion and judgment required for our patients and caregivers in demonstrating caring and compassion at the end of life. Again, experience is the key word.” Hospice of Marion County, Inc. and Its Affiliated Companies employ 415 people and have more than 500 trained volunteers, serving some 1,200 patients every day. Privett and Hoxworth are in New York City to accept the award during AARP’s annual meeting September 26-28, 2007. |
| For Immediate Release: March 21, 2007 |
New Research Finds Patients Do Live Longer Under Hospice Care |
(Alexandria, Va) – A new study published in the March 2007 issue of the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management reports that hospice care may prolong the lives of some terminally ill patients. Among the patient populations studied, the mean survival was 29 days longer for hospice patients than for non-hospice patients. In other words, patients who chose hospice care lived an average of one month longer than similar patients who did not choose hospice care. Researchers selected 4,493 terminally ill patients with either congestive heart failure (CHF) or cancer of the breast, colon, lung, pancreas, or prostate. They then analyzed the difference in survival periods between those who received hospice care and those who did not. Data came from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and represented a statistically valid five percent sampling from 1998-2002. Longer lengths of survival were found in four of the six disease categories studied. The largest difference in survival between the hospice and non-hospice cohorts was observed in CHF patients where the mean survival period jumped from 321 days to 402 days. The mean survival period also was significantly longer for the hospice patients with lung cancer (39 days) and pancreatic cancer (21 days), while marginally significant for colon cancer (33 days). “There’s an inaccurate perception among the American public that hospice means you’ve given up,” said J. Donald Schumacher, NHPCO president and CEO. “Those of us who have worked in the field have seen firsthand how hospice can improve the quality of and indeed prolong the lives of people receiving care. Benefits of hospice have been reinforced by positive stories like that of Art Buchwald who seemed to thrive under the care of hospice." Researchers cited several factors that may have contributed to longer life among patients who chose hospice. First, patients who are already in a weakened condition avoid the risks of over-treatment when they make the decision to receive hospice care. Second, hospice care may improve the monitoring and treatment patients receive. Additionally, hospice provides in-home care from an interdisciplinary team focused on the emotional needs, spiritual well-being, and physical health of the patient. Support and training for family caregivers is provided as well. This may increase the patient’s desire to continue living and may make them feel less of a burden to family members. “There is a perception among some healthcare providers that symptom relief in hospice, especially the use of opioids and sedatives, could cause patients to die sooner than they would otherwise. This study provides important information to suggest that hospice is related to the longer, not shorter length of survival – by days or months – in many patients,” said Dr. Stephen Connor, NHPCO’s vice president of research and international development, and lead author of the study. “This additional time may be valuable to patients and families to give more time for resolution and closure.” Co-author Bruce Pyenson, an actuary at Milliman in New York, added, “We believe this study helps support the growing quality movement within healthcare. For some patients, hospice care is not a choice about cure, it is a choice for the best care.” More information about hospice and care at the end of life is available online at www.caringinfo.org or by calling the HelpLine at 800/658-8898. The Spanish-language HelpLine, Cuidando con Cariño, is 877/658-8896.
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News Archives |
It’s often said that children are not just small adults. When it comes to experiencing or expressing grief, this statement could not be truer. The public is invited to a free teleconference that will provide insights on helping children deal with the loss of a loved one. This information could prevent a child from being burdened with unnecessary misunderstanding well into adulthood.
Saturday, March 8 is the date for the Tenth Annual “Hoofin’ It for Hospice.” A relaxing two-mile walk will take place at Jervey Gantt Park in Ocala—rain or shine.
Exceptional form and equally outstanding function—that’s the criteria for the highest achievement in a national design competition sponsored by Healthcare Design magazine. The 
Hospice of Marion County, Inc. and Its Affiliated Companies are again among the top employers nationally according to AARP. The Best Employers for Workers over 50 award, now in its seventh year, was established by AARP to honor companies that demonstrate enlightened policies toward 50+ employees.