Three Hospice of the Red River Valley employees have successfully completed National Hospice Certification Exams.

Shelley Windels, CNA, of Detroit Lakes, Minn., completed the Palliative Nursing Assistant Certification.

Kelly Haneca, RN, of Moorhead, Minn., and Rebecca Baird, RN, of Fargo, N.D., completed the Hospice and Palliative Nurse Certification.

The purpose of certification is to promote delivery of comprehensive palliative nursing care through the certification of qualified hospice and palliative professionals. Certification in hospice and palliative care is highly valued and provides formal recognition of hospice and palliative nursing or administration knowledge.

The 9^th annual Fargo-Moorhead Caregiver Conference will be held on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Hjemkomst Center, 202 1^st Ave. N. in Moorhead.

The seminar is free and recommended for anyone who is caring for an aging loved one. The schedule of events includes presentations on caregiver stress, burnout and depression. There will also be time for participants to visit with area vendors. Brunch will be provided. Space is limited and pre-registration is required by Oct. 22. To reserve your spot, please contact Julie Marxen at (218) 299-5514.

The conference is sponsored by the ND Family Caregiver Support Program, Hospice of the Red River Valley, Senior Connections, Lutheran Social Service MN, Caregiver Support & Respite Program, Clay County Seniors and the Land of the Dancing Sky Agency on Aging.

 

Derek Martin, RN, CHPN, manager of clinical development – CNA/CCN at Hospice of the Red River Valley, has been appointed to a two-year term on the North Dakota Board of Nursing.

In this role, Martin will serve on the Nurse Practice Committee, which will review the Nurse Practices Act and Rules. He was selected based on his expertise in nursing.

About the North Dakota Board of Nursing
The North Dakota Board of Nursing strives to proactively regulate the practice of nursing by providing timely information that gives registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse assistants and medication assistants the knowledge they need to remain compliant with the laws and rules.

About Hospice of the Red River Valley
Hospice of the Red River Valley is an independent, not-for-profit hospice serving all or portions of 29 counties in North Dakota and Minnesota. Hospice care is intensive comfort care that alleviates pain and suffering, enhancing quality of life for terminally ill patients and families by addressing their medical, emotional, spiritual and grief needs. For more information, call toll free 800-237-4629, e-mail questions@hrrv.org or visit www.hrrv.org.

Hospice of the Red River Valley is offering the following grief program this fall, specifically for youth. Registration is required and space is limited. 

Youth Journeys will be held Saturday, November 3 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Fargo office of Hospice of the Red River Valley, 1701 38th St. S, Fargo, N.D. This program is for young people, ages 6-18, who have lost a loved one through death. A portion of the day will include parent/guardian participation. Registration is required by October 29.

Even if a young person’s loved one was not cared for by Hospice of the Red River Valley, they are still eligible to attend this day-long grief program.

For more information or to register, contact the Journeys Department at (701) 356-1500, or visit our website www.hrrv.org.

Hospice of the Red River Valley seeks individuals to join its volunteer team, specifically as friendly companionship volunteers. Join us to learn more about volunteer opportunities at an information session.

Deb Kluck, manager of clinical development – volunteer services, will share information about Hospice of the Red River Valley’s volunteer program and the opportunities available in Wahpeton, Breckenridge and the surrounding communities on Wednesday, October 10 at 11 a.m. at the Wahpeton Senior Center, 520 3rd Ave S., Wahpeton.

The volunteer program at Hospice of the Red River Valley provides essential support in our day-to-day work. Our volunteers can choose how they would like to help provide compassionate end-of-life care to patients and their families, through providing companionship visits, running errands, doing light housekeeping, fixing meals, and many other ways. Please join us, or contact us, for more information.

Hospice provides a flexible volunteer schedule. For more information, please contact Deb Kluck at 701-356-1514 or dkluck@hrrv.org.

Hospice of the Red River Valley’s Journeys program presents a free, three-session workshop for those who are recently bereaved:

Understanding Grief will be held from 2-3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 2. This introductory session will help identify losses, define grief and discuss the importance of grieving.

Exploring Common Grief Reactions will be held from 2-3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 9. This session will explore the variety of reactions that may accompany grief-physical, emotional cognitive and behavioral.

Taking Care of Yourself While Grieving  and Embracing Your Memories: Holidays, Special Days & Any Days will be held from 2-3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 16. This session will address key areas of self-care and wellness and explore resourceful ways to help ourselves work toward healing while remembering our loved ones.

These sessions are free and will be held at Hospice of the Red River Valley, 415 Main Street, Lisbon, N.D. The registration deadline is September 24, 2012; registration is required and space is limited. For more information or to register, call Traci Issendorf at (701) 899-0559 or (800) 237-4629 or email tissendorf@hrrv.org.

The third annual Ole’s Ride was held August 25, 2012, and raised $9,100 to benefit Hospice of the Red River Valley.

The event was in memory of Ole Barton, who lost his battle to cancer in February 2011. Hospice of the Red River Valley cared for Ole during his last months, and the family wanted to use the event as a way to give back to an organization that cares for so many families in the area.

The ride kicked off from Billy’s Corner Bar in Vergas. More than 100 registered motorcycles and 161 registered riders participated in the 125-mile ride. In addition, countless people took part in the various events throughout the day, either as riders, volunteers, road guards or other participants.

Kris Barten, Ole’s widow and one of the event organizers said, “It just feels so good to do this. Vergas is a great little community that always pulls together, and when people hear the ride benefits Hospice, they’re happy to give.”

According to Kris Barten, “We hope to make it bigger and better each year.”

Hospice of the Red River Valley seeks individuals to join its volunteer team, specifically as companionship volunteers. Join us to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Jodi Rae Ingstad will share, “The Joys of Becoming a Hospice Volunteer” on Monday, September 24 at 11 a.m. at the Lisbon Senior Center, 625 Main St., Lisbon, N.D. Sign up forms will be available.

The volunteer program at Hospice of the Red River Valley provides essential support in our day-to-day work. Whether assisting patients and families or helping in the office, our volunteers make a difference. Our volunteers can choose how they would like to help provide compassionate end-of-life care to patients and their families, through running errands, doing light housekeeping, fixing meals or providing companionship visits. Other volunteer opportunities include helping out in the office or promoting Hospice through fundraising activities.

Hospice provides a flexible volunteer schedule. For more information, please contact Jodi Rae Ingstad, volunteer coordinator, at 701-490-2605 or jodi.ingstad@hrrv.org.

Redeemer Lutheran Church will be holding its 22^nd  annual Spaghetti Dinner to benefit Hospice of the Red River Valley on Monday, October 1, 2012 from 5-7 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1300 Nora St. E., Thief River Falls, Minn.

A freewill offering will be collected. The event is co-sponsored by Redeemer and Black River Parish.

Hospice of the Red River Valley invites health care professionals to its September 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, September 18, 2012, from noon – 1 p.m. Christi McGeorge, associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at North Dakota State University, will present, “Playful Techniques for Working with Families and Children in the Context of Grief and Loss.” Attendees will learn directive play therapy interventions that can be used with children and families experiencing grief and loss, and the benefits of play therapy.

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 three Hospice of the Red River Valley locations: Fargo – 1701 38th St. SW, Fargo, N.D.; Lisbon – 415 Main Street, Lisbon, N.D.; or Valley City – 1240 W Main Street, Valley City, N.D. The Lisbon and Valley City 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 one week 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.