Hospice of the Red River Valley is pleased to offer, “Season of Sorrow, Season of Joy: Facing Loss During the Holiday Season.” This free presentation will be held on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 2:30 p.m. at Hospice of the Red River Valley, 415 Main Street, Lisbon.

This presentation will explore strategies to help you cope with loss and discuss how to channel your individual strengths into “active grieving.” The presenter will also discuss how one can move forward in their grief yet continue to carry the memories of a loved one in meaningful ways.

Prior to the grief presentation, the Lisbon office will host an Open House; the public is invited to enjoy refreshments and conversation with Hospice staff, including our new physician, Dr. Lisa Henry. The Open House begins at 1 p.m.

“This year marks 17 years of providing care in Lisbon and the surrounding communities,” shares Kimberly Rud, patient care manager for the Lisbon office of Hospice of the Red River Valley. “We know the holiday season can be particularly difficult for those who are grieving, and are so pleased to offer this information. Please join us.”

Hospice of the Red River Valley invites health care professionals to its November Lunch and Learn as we continue to explore various topics related to end-of-life care.

The next Lunch and Learn will take place on Tuesday, November 19, 2013, from noon – 1 p.m. Brenda Munson, project coordinator from North Dakota Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), will present, “Medicare Scams and the Elderly.” Attendees will learn how seniors can be empowered to prevent health care fraud, protect themselves from health care fraud and identify Medicare scams and identity theft.

Hospice of the Red River Valley is an approved provider of continuing education for social workers in North Dakota. This program has been approved for 1 contact hour for social workers.

For your convenience, Lunch and Learns will be held at four Hospice of the Red River Valley locations:
Fargo – 1701 38th St. SW, Fargo, N.D.;
Lisbon – 415 Main Street, Lisbon, N.D.;
Valley City – 1240 W Main Street, Valley City, N.D; or
Detroit Lakes – 1102 West River Road, Detroit Lakes, Minn.

The Lisbon, Valley City and Detroit Lakes office locations will be connected via video conference to the Fargo office where the live presentation will take place.

Space is limited; pre-registration is required. Contact Missy at melissa.haut@hrrv.org or 701-356-1563 prior to the lunch and learn and indicate which location you will be attending. Participants may bring their own lunches; coffee and water will be provided.

Lunch and Learns are free and open to all health care professionals. They will be held on an ongoing basis every other month (January, March, May, July, September and November) on the third Tuesday of the month from noon – 1 p.m. Specific topics and descriptions will be shared closer to each date.

For more than 30 years, Hospice of the Red River Valley has been providing compassionate care to individuals and families as they navigate life’s final journey. Despite our longevity and reputation for exceptional care, year after year, one of the most common sentiments we hear is, “We wish we had known about hospice sooner.”

November is National Hospice Month—a time to learn about hospice care, and celebrate this end-of-life care option.

Most people have heard about hospice, but don’t fully understand the depth of care. At the end of life, people are often encouraged to seek continuous medical treatments in an attempt to lengthen their number of days with little focus on their quality of life. And, too often, families wait until a medical crisis before learning of this option.

Hospice care is not intended to be a last resort.

“Hospice is not brink-of-death care intended for the last days of life only,” stresses Dr. Don Schumacher, CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. “Hospice care is most effective for patients and families in the final months of life when families can take full advantage of the range of services hospice provides.”

Considered the gold standard for end of life care, hospice care is intensive comfort care for those faced with a life-limiting illness and a prognosis of six months or less. Hospice care is delivered by a team of experts, and addresses an individual’s medical, emotional and spiritual needs. Additionally, the family receives grief support after a death. All care is expressly tailored to each patient and family.

The concept of hospice was founded in the belief that each of us has the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and our loved ones will receive the necessary support to allow us to do so. Day in and day out, that’s what we do; Hospice of the Red River Valley offers comfort, dignity and support. We rally around families during one of life’s most significant experiences.

It’s never too early to learn about Hospice of the Red River Valley’s compassionate care.

Kevin Provost, Executive Director
Hospice of the Red River Valley