Home

Search HFA

or Search End-of-Life Database    Help

Text Size

HFA Press Releases - 1999

Hospice Foundation of America is a non-profit, grassroots foundation dedicated to providing leadership in the application of hospice principles, informing the public about end-of-life care, and training healthcare workers and the families they serve in issues related to loss.

Current Releases | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | pre-1999

Contact:
Program Assistant
1-800-854-3402

October 27, 1999

Coping With Grief During The Holidays
Hospice Foundation of America's New Campaign Offers Advice

(Washington, DC) -- A question commonly asked by bereaved people at this time of year is, "How can I get through the holidays?" There is really no single answer of what one should or shouldn't do. Hospice Foundation of America stresses one guiding principle: do what is comfortable.

"When we are already experiencing the great stress of bereavement, the additional strains of the holidays can create unbearable pressure," commented Jack Gordon, President of HFA. "The key to coping with grief during the holidays is to find the way that is right for you." [Note: Mr. Gordon served as Chairman and CEO of HFA until his death in 2005.]

Some people find it helpful to be with family and friends, emphasizing the familiar. Others may wish to avoid old sights and sounds, perhaps even taking a trip. Others will find new ways to acknowledge the season.

Here are some key points from HFA's Holiday Grief Campaign:

Plan for the approaching holidays. Be aware that this might be a difficult time for you. The additional stress may affect you emotionally, cognitively, and physically; this is a normal reaction. It is important to be prepared for these feelings.

Recognize that holidays won't be the same. If you try to keep everything as it was, you'll be disappointed. Doing things a bit differently can acknowledge the change while preserving continuity with the past.

Be careful not to isolate yourself. It's alright to take time for yourself but don't cut yourself off from the support of family and friends.

The holidays may affect other family members. Talk over your plans. Respect their choices and needs, and compromise if necessary.

Avoid additional stress. Decide what you really want to do, and what can be avoided.

As part of their campaign to educate and assist people at this time of the year, HFA produces several resources. This includes a special Holiday issue of their Journeys bereavement newsletter, an educational feature article distributed across the country and available for reprint, and HFA's Living With Grief brochure series. A special Internet Chat Session set for December 1st, 11:00 am - 12 noon on www.healthAtoZ.com, with senior consultant Kenneth Doka, Ph.D. focuses on grief during the holidays.

####

Hospice Foundation of America, with offices in Miami Beach and Washington, DC is a non-profit, grassroots organization educating the public about loss and end-of-life care. For a copy of HFA's Holiday Grief article or other resources, or to schedule an interview with a HFA representative, please call us at 1-800-854-3402.

Back to Press Release Menu

Contact:
Program Assistant
at Hospice Foundation of America
1-800-854-3402

September 15, 1999


Hospice Foundation Of America Announces Support For National Health Council's Action Plan For Family Caregiving

(Washington, DC) -- Hospice Foundation of America strongly supports the National Health Council's newly released action plan to help family caregivers that includes a "vision of a supportive environment for American family caregivers." HFA stands behind the Council's efforts to begin to solve some of the many problems facing family caregivers in this country.

HFA was a participant in the Council's national conference held last winter that resulted in the current Agenda for Action. "We were pleased to bring the unique voice of hospice to bear on the development of this important project," commented Jack D. Gordon, President, of Hospice Foundation of America. The Agenda includes a vision of public policy that enables caregivers to have ready access to needed information, direct services, and financial assistance from government and private sector organizations, and action steps to begin to make that happen. [Note: Mr. Gordon served as Chairman and CEO of HFA until his death in 2005.]

"Those familiar with the hospice concept of care have long understood the importance of the work done by family caregivers; they're the heart of hospice. Whether it be a spouse, child, partner or close friend, these caregivers need support, resources, referral options, and validation for their efforts which can be considered truly heroic, yet often go unrecognized," added Gordon. [Note: Mr. Gordon served as Chairman and CEO of HFA until his death in 2005.]

National Health Council President Myrl Weinberg said, "We expect that this Agenda for Action will build a national agenda for caregiving issues that will incorporate the enormous contribution of the family caregiver into our changing health care system. The actions in this plan are concrete, measurable steps that can be accomplished within the next three to five years."

The Agenda for Action calls for the following types of action:

Research - identify best practices and model programs, as well as existing programs.
Advocacy - encourage federal and state legislators to enact programs of support.
Education/Awareness - develop programs to help support policy and behavior changes.
Training - help caregivers perform all aspects of their role, both medical and non-medical.
Partnerships - develop connections among groups with expertise and interest in this area.

The Agenda for Action includes a range of activities and choices for each objective to reflect the varying mandates and skills of interested organizations. Hospice Foundation of America and the National Health Council believe there are a wealth of options, all of which will help family caregivers, as they work to identify key needs and practical first steps towards meeting many of the Agenda's goals.

Care for the Caregiver has been an integral part of the educational outreach work done by HFA. "Addressing the unique needs of caregivers has been an important issue examined in our annual National Bereavement Teleconference for the past few years. We will continue to explore the ways we can support the valuable work done by caregivers and the Council's Agenda in our ongoing efforts at Hospice Foundation of America," said Gordon. [Note: Mr. Gordon served as Chairman and CEO of HFA until his death in 2005.]

Fact Sheet On Family Caregiving

Family caregivers are the immediate family, relatives by blood, marriage, or adoption, partners, or close friends who provide directly or manage the care of people who need medical and non-medical assistance, emotional support, and advocacy because they are ill or disabled. Caregivers are sometimes referred to as personal care assistants or attendants.

Most caregivers are female (73 percent) and their average age is 46 (NAC/AARP, 1997).

Typically caregivers are married (66 percent), have at least a high-school education, and are likely to be raising children under the age of 18 (NAC/AARP, 1997).

Estimates suggest that the value of family caregivers to the health care system is about $196 billion each year, compared to $32 billion per year spent for paid home care and $83 billion per year for nursing home care (Arno et. al., 1999).

More than one-third of caregivers provide assistance with activities of daily living for people ages 64 and under (Feinberg, 1995).

It is estimated that 22 million American households include an individual aged 50 or older who receives some level of at-home care (GlaxoWellcome, 1997).

In one in four American households, someone is caring for a relative age 50 or older. (NAC/AARP, 1997).

In 1990, an estimated 83% of those with chronic conditions under age 65 relied on family caregivers; for those 65 and older it was 73% (Institute for Health and Aging 1996).

The number of those needing care is expected to grow from 41 million in 1995 to 72 million by 2050 (Institute for Health and Aging,1996).

Approximately 14.4 million full- and part-time employed caregivers are now balancing work with their caregiving (and, frequently, child care) responsibilities (NAC/AARP, 1997).

The aggregate costs of caregiving in lost productivity to U.S. businesses exceed $11.4 billion (MetLife, 1997).

Close to two in three caregivers are working, 52 percent full-time and 12 percent part- time (NAC/AARP, 1997).

Nearly half (47 percent) of employed caregivers spend more than 40 hours per week on caregiving activities (NFCA/FORTIS, 1998).

Cultural differences exist in family caregiving situations. Studies have shown that Asian and Hispanic caregivers are more likely than their white counterparts to be responsible for the care of more than one person. In addition, the prevalence of family caregiving is higher among Asian and African American households than Caucasian households. Moreover, Asian and Hispanic caregivers tends to be significantly younger than Caucasian caregivers (NAC/AARP, 1997).

Compiled by National Health Council, Washington, DC, 9/15/99.



####

For more information on grief, available resources, or to contact an organization that deals with loss in your community, contact Program Assistant at 1-800-854-3402.

Back to Press Release Menu

Contact:
Program Assistant
at Hospice Foundation of America
1-800-854-3402

June 15, 1999

GRIEF IN THE WORKPLACE, SCHOOLS, AND FAITH COMMUNITIES
Hospice Foundation of America's Newest Book Offers Advice and Insight

Washington, DC - Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) has published a new volume of articles, Living With Grief: At Work, At School, At Worship, the most recent addition to their successful Living With Grief book series. With sections devoted to the unique needs of the communities in which we work, learn, and worship, Living With Grief is a valuable resource offering practical advice for organizations and individuals.

"For many years the diagnosis of a chronic or life-threatening illness meant that a person would almost inevitably leave work," said Jack D. Gordon, President of Hospice Foundation of America. "Now there are more options and even in the midst of illness it is important to continue to live life as normally as possible.For many people that includes maintaining connections to their workplaces, schools, and places of worship." [Note: Mr. Gordon served as Chairman and CEO of HFA until his death in 2005.]

Edited by Kenneth Doka, Ph.D., and Joyce Davidson, the book features chapters by sixteen highly regarded authors and clinicians in the field of grief counseling and bereavement.Living With Grief outlines model programs that work, gives practical suggestions for helping deal with grief, and features an extensive resource guide listing other support organizations and useful contacts.Contributing authors include Doka,Robert Zucker, Marcia Lattanzi-Licht, Paul Irion and Myra MacPherson.

Developed in conjunction with HFA's National Bereavement Teleconference, this comprehensive book is the newest in the series that examine such topics as sudden loss, prolonged illness, cultural diversity and ethnicity, and children mourning.The initial run of 50,000 books has already sold out and a second printing has begun.

"Grief spills over, affecting all dimensions of our life," commented Doka."The ways that others respond and support that grief can either complicate or facilitate the grieving process."

###

For more information or to set up an interview with Jack D. Gordon, e-mail Program Assistant or call 202-638-5419. [Note: Mr. Gordon served as Chairman and CEO of HFA until his death in 2005.]

Hospice Foundation of America is a non-profit, grassroots foundation dedicated to providing leadership in the application of hospice principles, informing the public about end-of-life care, and training health care workers and the families they serve in issues related to loss.

Back to Press Release Menu

Contact:
Program Assistant
at Hospice Foundation of America
1-800-854-3402

May 26, 1999

Shattering Myths About Grief:
HFA Offers Practical Advice for Dealing with Loss

In conjunction with their ongoing educational programs, Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) has begun an initiative to dispel common myths about grief. "Violent incidents across the country and around the world have focused our nation's attention on issues of loss," said Jack D. Gordon, President of HFA. "In order to deal with loss, and to help others who are struggling, it's important to get past some of the common misconceptions about grief." [Note: Mr. Gordon served as Chairman and CEO of HFA until his death in 2005.]

Grief is a response to any loss, not just the death of a loved one; traumatic changes in our lives, illness, divorce, and job changes are all losses that can affect us deeply. Violence in schools and natural disasters across the Midwest are recent examples of tragedies that have touched us all. To shatter some of the myths surrounding grief, HFA offers practical advice for dealing with loss.

In discussing grief and bereavement during HFA's recent National Bereavement Teleconference, Cokie Roberts, correspondent to ABC News and National Public Radio commented, "Over time, people learn to live with the loss, but it's not something you get over. The grieving process is a series of ups and downs, and often it's more intense in the early years."

An integral part of the hospice philosophy includes grief counseling and support for caregivers. In many communities, hospices serve as important resources to help those who may be grieving and can provide valuable links to other support organizations. HFA works with hospices and local agencies across the country to provide resources to those struggling with grief and loss.

"The thing that we need to remember is that you never have to like a loss," Roberts said. "You just have to learn to accept it and deal with it." A more accurate understanding of the way grief affects us can facilitate healing.

Shattering Eight Myths About Grief

Myth 1:
Reality:

We only grieve deaths.
We grieve all losses.

Myth 2:
Reality:

Only family members grieve.
All who are attached grieve.

Myth 3:
Reality:

Grief is an emotional reaction.
Grief is manifested in many ways.

Myth 4:
Reality:

Individuals should leave grieving at home.
We cannot control where we grieve.

Myth 5:
Reality:

We slowly and predictably recover from grief.
Grief is an uneven process, a roller coaster with no timeline.

Myth 6:
Reality:

Grieving means letting go of the person who has died.
We never fully detach.

Myth 7:
Reality:

Grief finally ends.
Over time most people learn to live with loss.

Myth 8:
Reality:

Grievers are best left alone.
Grievers need opportunities to share their memories and grief, and to receive support.



####

For more information on grief, available resources, or to contact an organization that deals with loss in your community, contact Program Assistant at 1-800-854-3402.

Back to Press Release Menu

Contact:
Program Assistant or Lisa Veglahn.
at Hospice Foundation of America
1-800-854-3402

April 23, 1999

HFA Comes to Aid in Wake of Colorado Tragedy
Makes Available National and On-site Consultants and Printed Resources

 

In response to the shooting at Columbine High School, Hospice Foundation of America is providing professional expertise and resources to help those affected by the shooting. In conjunction with HFA's National Bereavement Teleconference, Living With Grief: At Work, At School, At Worship, seen in more than 2,500 communities less than a week before the tragedy, HFA offers numerous resources for those struggling with grief and loss.

HFA support includes:

Professional Expertise:

  • Marcia Lattanzi-Licht, RN, LPC; psychotherapist and author, on-site in Colorado working with victims advocacy groups; interviewed on MSNBC concerning shooting.

  • Kenneth Doka, Ph.D.; HFA Senior Consultant, President of International Work Group on Death and Dying, instrumental in development of support resources.

  • Senator Jack Gordon, President, Hospice Foundation of America. Seen on MSNBC commenting on Colorado tragedy. [Note: Mr. Gordon served as Chairman and CEO of HFA until his death in 2005.]

Donated Support Materials:

  • To every School Counselor in the state of Colorado, through the assistance of the American School Counselor Association.

  • To state hospices and community mental health organizations, with the cooperation of Colorado Hospice Organization.

  • To Jefferson County School District.

Available Resources:

  • Living With Grief: After Sudden Loss: book of essays by experts in the field, topics include:

  • sudden violent death

  • importance of grief counseling for survivors of traumatic loss

  • role of law enforcement, criminal justice system, and the media in assisting those struggling with loss

Living With Grief: At Work, At School, At Worship: book examines:

  • the grieving child in the school environment

  • advice for schools, workplaces and faith communities to aid those struggling with grief

  • a primer on loss and grief

Living With Grief Brochures, 8 page guidebooks with practical suggestions:

  • Living With Grief: At School

  • Living With Grief: At Work

  • Living With Grief: in Faith Communities

"HFA expresses our sincere condolences to all those affected by this tragedy and it's our hope that these resources will supplement the important work being done by people throughout the state of Colorado," commented Jack Gordon, President, Hospice Foundation of America. [Note: Mr. Gordon served as Chairman and CEO of HFA until his death in 2005.]

####

For more information, or to set up an interview with HFA consultants, contact Program Assistant or Lisa Veglahn at 202-638-5419.

Back to Press Release Menu

Contact:
Program Assistant
1-800-854-3402

April 21, 1999

Hospice Foundation of America offers resources to assist schools struggling with traumatic loss and grief

Washington, DC: Violent events have recently rocked school communities in Washington, DC and Flint, Michigan. There has been a great amount of media attention focused on these tragedies and the effects of these violent events affect not only the school population and local community but resonates across the nation.

"It is important to be aware of some the basic steps that can be taken to help young people cope with the losses that touch their lives," commented Jack D. Gordon, President of HFA. "Whether it’s the unusual occurrence of a school shooting or more common tragedies involving an automobile accident or serious illness, we must recognize that children and adolescents are significantly affected by these situations." [Note: Mr. Gordon served as Chairman and CEO of HFA until his death in 2005.]

Key points to keep in mind include:

- recognize the unique ways that young people grieve

- acknowledge the loss and offer appropriate support

- be sensitive to the behavior of classmates

- make appropriate referrals when necessary

- communities should work together to provide assistance

Hospice Foundation of America’s initiative for the year 2000 is Children, Adolescents, and Loss. Resources include their newest publication, Living With Grief: Children, Adolescents, and Loss, and their annual televised National Bereavement Teleconference of the same name, moderated by Cokie Roberts, going out live-via-satellite to more than 2,000 communities across the country on April 26, 2000.

Resources include:

- Living With Grief: At Work, At School, At Worship book and videotape

- Living With Grief brochure series offering advice to schools, workplaces, and churches

- Journeys bereavement newsletters

- other videotapes, audio tapes, and educational publications

More information about available resources or HFA’s upcoming National Bereavement Teleconference can be found by contacting Hospice Foundation of America or visiting their Web site at: http://www.hospicefoundation.org.

####

Back to Press Release Menu

Contact:
Program Assistant
at Hospice Foundation of America
1-800-854-3402

April 19, 1999

Hospice Foundation of America Announces New Brochure Series
Practical Advice For Workplaces, Schools, and Faith Communities

Hospice Foundation of America is pleased to announce the release of its newest series of brochures: Living With Grief: At Work, Living With Grief: At School, and Living With Grief: At Worship. These practical guides offer suggestions for workplaces, schools, and faith communities as to how they can better recognize and address the special needs of grievers in their midst.

The series has been developed in conjunction with HFA's Annual National Bereavement Teleconference, "Living With Grief: At Work, At School, At Worship," which is being broadcast live-via-satellite to more than 2,300 communities across the country. The brochure series joins the teleconference broadcast and HFA's "Living With Grief: At Work, At School, At Worship" companion textbook as the newest resources reflecting the most current ideas in the field of illness, loss and bereavement.

A worker's spouse dies. An executive is diagnosed with cancer. A student is killed in a drunk driving accident. HFA's Living With Grief brochures are written in straightforward, concise language that offers practical advice and basic guidelines in dealing with these difficult situations from which no organization is immune. Written by Kenneth Doka, Ph.D., senior consultant to Hospice Foundation of America, the brochures are invaluable resources for workplaces, schools and faith communities across the country.

###

For more information regarding HFA, available resources, or to find a teleconference site in your community, contact Program Assistant at 202-638-5419. Or visit the HFA Website. Hospice Foundation of America is a non-profit, grassroots foundation dedicated to providing leadership in the application of hospice principles, informing the public about end-of-life care, and training health care workers and the families they serve in issues related to loss.

Back to Press Release Menu

Contact:
Program Assistant
at Hospice Foundation of America
1-800-854-3402

March 18, 1999

VISION FOR BETTER CARE ON END-OF-LIFE CARE INTRODUCED
Hospice Foundation of America Part of National Coalition
Urging Emphasis on Hospice Care, Not Physician-Assisted Suicide

A national coalition of more than 300 organizations, including the Hospice Foundation of America, today introduced a vision for better care at the end-of-life, calling for care that tends to "the whole person, body, mind and feelings-heart and soul." Hospice care-a philosophy of care that provides pain management and emotional and spiritual support for the patient and the family-is the model for this vision.

Last Acts, the national coalition, presented its vision as a better answer to the needs of seriously ill and dying patients such as those attracted to Jack Kevorkian's physician-assisted suicide. The announcement came just days before Kevorkian again goes to trial in Michigan March 22, this time for homicide in the case of Lou Gehrig's disease patient Thomas Youk. Youk's name became widely publicized when CBS' 60 Minutes aired videotape of Kevorkian injecting Youk with lethal drugs.

"The current debate on assisted suicide is usually characterized as a choice between dying in great pain, hooked up to machines, or calling in Dr. Kevorkian," said Jack Gordon, President of the Hospice Foundation of America. "However, there is another option called hospice care, which provides pain management and emotional and spiritual support for patients and families." [Note: Mr. Gordon served as Chairman and CEO of HFA until his death in 2005.]

"Patients need to know that whatever happens with their illnesses, some basic ground-rules will be followed-their own wishes will be respected, they and their families will play the leading role in decision-making, and they will receive pain relief and emotional comfort," said Gordon. "For more than 25 years, hospices across the country have provided people with this type of care," he said. [Note: Mr. Gordon served as Chairman and CEO of HFA until his death in 2005.]

A significant aspect unique to hospice care is grief and bereavement support for families following the death of a loved one. To help hospices and other organizations meet this important need, Hospice Foundation of America produces the "Living With Grief" National Bereavement Teleconference, the largest grief and bereavement training program of its kind. This year's teleconference, "Living With Grief: At Work, At School, At Worship," will be broadcast live-via-satellite on Wednesday, April 14 from 1:30-4:00pm EDT. The teleconference, moderated by Cokie Roberts, will be seen in more than 2200 communities across the U.S. and Canada.

On the state and local level, Hospice Foundation of America is working to advance this kind of care by running a series of educational ads about hospice and end-of-life care in The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, and other national papers; distributing educational materials about "Choosing Hospice"; operating a toll-free informational number at 1-800-854-3402; and writing editorial articles about hospice as an alternative to assisted suicide. The Hospice Foundation of America believes that the best way for families to prepare in case of a health care crisis is to talk about hospice and other principles with their loved ones, friends and health care providers.

###

For more information or to set up an interview with Jack D. Gordon, e-mail Program Assistant or call 202-638-5419. [Note: Mr. Gordon served as Chairman and CEO of HFA until his death in 2005.]

Hospice Foundation of America is a non-profit, grassroots foundation dedicated to providing leadership in the application of hospice principles, informing the public about end-of-life care, and training health care workers and the families they serve in issues related to loss.

Back to Press Release Menu

Contact:
Program Assistant
at Hospice Foundation of America
1-800-854-3402

March 5, 1999

Hospice Foundation of America's Fifth Annual National Bereavement Teleconference Winner Of Communicator Awards Honorable Mention

Hospice Foundation of America's fifth annual National Bereavement Teleconference, Living With Grief: Who We Are, How We Grieve, recently received an Honorable Mention from the prestigious Communicator Awards. These awards recognize outstanding achievement in the communications field. Entries are judged by industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry. There were over 3,200 entries representing 47 states and eight countries in the Communicator Awards 1998 Video Competition.

Living With Grief: Who We Are, How We Grieve, was originally broadcast on April 22, 1998, live-via-satellite to more than 2,000 downlink locations across North America, reaching a live audience of over 120,000. Cokie Roberts of ABC News led a panel of distinguished experts as they examined the ways that culture, spirituality, age and gender affect the ways we experience loss and express grief.

"We are pleased that our program received this prestigious award," said Jack D. Gordon, President of HFA. "Our annual teleconference broadcast is the largest training program of its kind, and we are honored for this recognition." The teleconference broadcast allowed local organizations the opportunity to discover and network with other diverse resources in their own communities. In addition, hospices, hospitals, state offices on aging, universities, community colleges, and funeral homes use videotapes of the program in their ongoing educational efforts.[Note: Mr. Gordon served as Chairman and CEO of HFA until his death in 2005.]

####

Videotape copies of this broadcast and other award winning HFA teleconferences are available by contacting HFA at 1-800-854-3402, or through HFA's Website. Hospice Foundation of America is a non-profit, grassroots foundation dedicated to providing leadership in the application of hospice principles, informing the public about end-of-life care, and training health care workers and the families they serve in issues related to loss.

Back to Press Release Menu

Contact:
Program Assistant 
1-800-854-3402

March 1, 1999

LIVING WITH GRIEF: CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND LOSS
Hospice Foundation of America’s Newest Book Offers Practical Advice and Insight

Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) announces the publication of its new volume of articles, Living With Grief: Children, Adolescents, and Loss, the most recent addition to their successful Living With Grief book series. This publication explores the range of losses that children and adolescents experience and offers practical advice that can be used to help young people develop useful coping skills.

"The death of a loved one, serious illness, divorce, relocation, pet loss, even developmental changes can affect a young person immensely. Children and adolescents often do not know how to cope with the myriad of losses they face every day," said Jack D. Gordon, President of Hospice Foundation of America. "This new book will offer insight and interventive techniques that will be useful to healthcare professionals, teachers, counselors, school administrators, and even parents. Anyone who works with or cares for young people will find this publication to be of great value." [Note: Mr. Gordon served as Chairman and CEO of HFA until his death in 2005.]

Edited by Kenneth Doka, Ph.D., and Joyce Davidson, the book features eighteen chapters by highly regarded educators and clinicians specializing in grief counseling, bereavement issues, and child development. Contributing authors include Doka, Robert Kastenbaum, Charles Corr, Nancy Boyd Webb, Earl Grollman, Terry Martin, Betty Davies and Peter Sheras.

Living With Grief: Children, Adolescents, and Loss, with an introduction by Jack D. Gordon, will contain practical suggestions, a resource guide and extensive bibliography outlining the most effective resources for children, adolescents, and those who work with them. The publication will also feature the writings of young people. "We feel it’s important to hear the actual voices of young people as we examine this important topic," commented Gordon. [Note: Mr. Gordon served as Chairman and CEO of HFA until his death in 2005.]

Developed in conjunction with HFA’s National Bereavement Teleconference, this comprehensive book is the newest in the series that examine such topics as sudden loss, prolonged illness, cultural diversity and ethnicity, and loss in the workplace. HFA’s next Bereavement Teleconference will be broadcast live-via-satellite to more than 2,000 communities across the country on April 26, 2000.

####

Back to Press Release Menu

Contact:
Program Assistant
at Hospice Foundation of America
1-800-854-3402

March 1, 1999

Hospice Foundation of America Partners With Alaska Rural Communication Service Sixth Annual National Bereavement Teleconference

Issues of Grief in the Workplace Accessible Throughout the State of Alaska

Hospice Foundation of America's upcoming teleconference, Living With Grief: At Work, At School, At Worship, is being broadcast live by Alaska Rural Communication Service (ARCS) on April 14; 9:30am-12:00pm Alaska Time. This unique partnership between HFA and ARCS makes this public service educational broadcast accessible by every television set in the state of Alaska.

Thousands of homes, business, and other organizations in Alaska will be able to access this award winning teleconference through the station's regular broadcasting schedule. Cokie Roberts of ABC News will lead a panel of experts as they discuss the ways that grief influences us in various settings, such as the workplace, schools, or places of worship. The teleconference will offer practical suggestions and interventions that can be utilized in assisting both grievers and organizations who may have those struggling with illness and loss in their midst.

"In many Bush Alaska communities the HFA teleconference is the only outreach available for learning about grief. The teleconferences offer us a way to come together for fellowship and support; because of this its value is priceless," commented Barbarea Cohea, of the Maniilaq Association Health Education Program in Kotzebue, Alaska. The Foundation has long been aware of the many unique grieving issues found throughout remote portions of the state and the limited resources available. Numerous professionals and laypeople will benefit from this exciting educational opportunity.

####

For more information on hosting the teleconference or to find an existing teleconference site, please contact HFA at 1-800-854-3402.

Hospice Foundation of America is a non-profit, grassroots foundation dedicated to providing leadership in the application of hospice principles, informing the public about end-of-life care, and training health care workers and the families they serve in issues related to loss.

Back to Press Release Menu

Caregiver's Corner
  • Tools
  • Links
  • Reading