LIFEline
Updates from the Kansas LIFE Project
April, 2003

LIFE TASK GROUP ADDRESSING DPOAHC
The LIFE Project Public Policy Task Group is developing testimony to the Kansas Judicial Council as they deliberate changes to the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions

            For the past two years, the LIFE Project Partners and the Public Policy Task Group worked with and supported the work of the Kansas Judicial Council as it worked toward improvements in the Kansas guardianship statute.  Currently, the Council is revisiting the DPOAHC and considering possible changes.

            The LIFE Project Public Policy Task Group has been asked to provide a presentation at the Judicial Council’s May 30 meeting.  To that end, leaders of the LIFE Task Group have been in discussion and study about this.  The LIFE Project Public Policy Task Group is set to meet in Emporia on May 22.  All interested persons –whether “officially” on the LIFE Project Task Group or not—are invited to join this effort and to attend the meeting and ongoing efforts.  The meeting will be at Emporia’s Newman Regional Medical Center in the Sunflower Room from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.  Please RSVP to Dusty at the LIFE Project by Tuesday, May 20, if you are interested in attending.

“EVERY KANSAN SHOULD EXPECT GOOD PAIN MANAGEMENT!”
LIFE’s Pain Management Task Group moving forward to advance the pain management campaign

            The LIFE Project Pain Management Steering Committee will meet on May 22, in Emporia from 10 – noon.  The Steering Committee will move forward with creation of tools and strategies to advance the campaign and to support the efforts of LIFE’s Project Partners and Caring Communities.  The entire task group met on March 28 in Topeka.  Anyone who would like to join this very active work group in actual tasks and development work, are invited to attend the meeting on May 22.  Please RSVP.

LIFE PROJECT STAFF CHANGES
LIFE bids farewell to receptionist, June Miller, and welcomes two new staff members

            The LIFE Project wishes a “happy retirement” to June Miller, who worked tirelessly with Donna Bales and staff for six years and ended her employment on April 4.  When we checked in with her last week, June was already inquiring with several local organizations for volunteer opportunities.  She was also enjoying sleeping in late and spending quality time with her grandkids.  Thanks for all your hard work over the years, June.  We’ll miss you!

            Joining the LIFE Project this month are two equally talented staff members:  Dusty Buttram is our new administrative assistant and receptionist.  She is a lifelong resident of Wichita and was formerly employed by Architectural Cast Stone, Inc., and Ritchie Associates, Inc.  Dusty and her husband, David, have a 10-year old daughter and enjoy spending time with Dusty’s large extended family. 

            Mary Luebbert has joined the LIFE Project as Director of Resource Development.  She has extensive experience with non-profit groups, including the SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) Network of Kansas, and will be assisting LIFE staff and board members with resource development activities.  Mary lives east of Wichita with her two sons and a menagerie of pets and loves to bake in her spare time.

            Please join us in welcoming Dusty and Mary to the LIFE Project!  They bring great ideas and perspective into the staff environment, and we are so pleased to have them. 

2003 GOVERNOR’S CONFERENCE TO FEATURE LIFE LEADERS
JoVeta Wescott and Bob Twillman to make presentations during annual aging symposium

The Governor’s Conference on Aging will be held May 7-8, 2003, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka.  This year’s theme is “Celebrate Healthy Choices for a Lifetime” and will cover such topics as aging and physical health, mental wellness, long-term care planning, addictions, financial security, caregiving, advocacy, end-of-life issues, research on Alzheimer’s and other dementia care.  An introduction and reception for Pamela Johnson-Betts, the new Kansas Secretary of Aging, will be held on Wednesday, May 7, from 4:45-6:30 pm.

Dr. Bob Twillman, LIFE Project leader and co-chair of the LIFE Pain Management Task Group, Kansas Pain Initiative and KU Pain Management Specialist, will make a presentation titled “Assessing and Managing Pain the Older Adult” on Thursday, May 8, at 8:30 am and again at 10:15 am.  

JoVeta Wescott, RN, MSHA, Manager of the Parish Nursing Program at the Center for Congregational Health Ministry at Via Christi, and LIFE Project leader, will present “Parish Nursing:  Ministry in the Congregation Services” at 1:30 pm and 3:15 pm on Wednesday, May 7.

For more information, or to register for this event, visit www.agingkansas.org, or call Chris Goodman at the Kansas Department of Revenue, (800) 432-3535.

CARING COMMUNITIES MOVING FORWARD WITH RALLYING POINTS CERTIFICATES
LIFE Project and Caring Communities are working in creative ways to utilize national resource for community-based end-of-life coalitions

The LIFE Project Caring Communities continue to share resources and strengthen their presence and leadership within their communities.  Funding for much of the planned activity and action comes from the Rallying Points Certificate Program (see www.rallyingpoints.org). 

If your community has not registered with Rallying Points yet, don’t miss this incredible opportunity for networking and support.  Don’t be intimidated by the process!  The LIFE Project staff will assist your coalition every step of the way.  Please call Stacie today at 316-263-6380 if you are interested in registering.  And ask for a list of benefits of joining this exciting effort.

Caring Communities will soon receive a news update from the LIFE Project.  If you are not on that email list and would like to be, please write stacie@lifeproject.org and ask us to add your name.  LIFE congratulates these grassroots leaders and thanks them for their continuing commitment and action.

MACKIE REDD CD SINGLES NOW AVAILABLE
Musical tribute highlighted at LIFE Project “Celebration Luncheon” in October 2002

Singer-Songwriter and Friend of LIFE, Mackie Redd, performed an emotional tribute to his mother at our fall conference on “The Future of End-of-Life Care” at the Wichita Hyatt.  This memorable and original tune, “When the Last Leaves Fall,” is now available as a CD single exclusively through the LIFE Project for $20.  Order your copy TODAY by email or by phone:  (316) 263-6380, life@lifeproject.org. 

This recording is made possible by the generosity of the artist.  For more information about Mackie Redd and his music, please visit his website at www.mackieredd.com.  The LIFE Project thanks Mackie for his generous gift and continued support.

CIRCLE OF CAREGIVING VIDEO SERIES AVAILABLE
Caregiving is the focus of series from Kansas Association of Area Agencies on Aging

            The Circle of Caregiving, a project of the Kansas Association of Area Agencies on Aging, has announced that its four-part video series on caregiving issues is now available at no cost.  The 30-minute segments were originally part of a local television broadcast, which aired on Wichita KSN Channel 3 last summer, and would be ideal for community presentations and discussion, small group discussions, and other venues.  The videos look at spousal caregiving, both at home and in an institutional setting; support groups as a resource for caregivers; “sandwich generation” caregivers, sons and daughters caring for their parents while they manage their own full-time lives; and long-distance and friend caregivers.  To receive your free copy of the video series, please contact Stacey Boothe, (316) 681-2144, email:  ksaaaa@hotmail.com.

****UPDATES, NOTES and UPCOMING OF EVENTS****

*  Nadine Reimer Penner, ACSW, LSCSW, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita, is a 2003  “Heart of Hospice” recipient (Psychosocial/Spiritual Caregiver Category) from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.  The annual NHPCO awards recognize those who have made significant contributions in the areas of care delivery, innovation and research and were presented at the Joint Clinical Conference in Denver on April 9.  Congratulations, Nadine!

May 2, 2003               “Dealing with Alzeimer’s and Other Dementias,” part of the “Chronic Illness:  Acute Answers” series produced by KMUW Wichita and the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita.  Sam Hendren, Producer (Radio call-in, 2:00 pm on KMUW FM 89).  Visit www.kmuw.org/stories/chronicillness/index.html for more information.

May 5–6, 2003          The Washington County Caring Community will host a series of planning sessions and community presentations May 5–6.  Tentative plans for this intervention include presentations by Donna Bales to the Washington Rotary Club, Clay Center Lions Club, the Clay Center Medical Center and community groups.  The Caring Community council will also be meeting for a strategic planning and goal setting session.  Bales will also be meeting with the Salina Caring Community Council on May 6 to discuss direction and future plans.  If you would like specific details on the Washington, Clay Center, or Salina events, please contact Stacie at the LIFE Project.

May 7-8, 2003            The Governor’s Conference on Aging will be held May 7-8, 2003, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka.  This year’s theme is “Celebrate Healthy Choices for a Lifetime” and will cover such topics as aging and physical health, mental wellness, long-term care planning, addictions, financial security, caregiving, advocacy, end-of-life issues, research on Alzheimer’s and other dementia care.  For more information, or to register for this event, visit www.agingkansas.org, or call Chris Goodman at the Kansas Department of Revenue, 800-432-3535.

May 8, 2003               Phyllis Grauer, PharmD, and Mary G. Mihalyo, PharmD, will facilitate “Implementing Pharmaco-Economic Principles in Today’s Hospice Setting” from 9:30 am – 4:00 pm at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, 7000 W. 108^th St., Overland Park, KS.  Seminar cost is $30.  To enroll, please call HospiScript at 800-981-8687, ext. 3008, or email: info@hospiscript.com.

May 14, 2003             Friends of Hospice of Jefferson County are sponsoring an educational seminar titled “Survival Skills for the Health Professional” from 8:00 am – 3:30 pm at the Rock Creek Bible Church in Meriden, KS (10 minutes north of Topeka).  The program will help health professionals learn concrete techniques to enhance their skills in four different areas: time management, stress management, effective listening, and assertive communication.  The presenter is Dorothy Yeager, M.S., who is a professional speaker and facilitator.  Seven contact hours available for nurses; six contact hours for social workers, and six for nursing home administrators.  The conference fee is $75 and includes snacks and lunch.  For more information contact Deann Behring at 785-863-2447.

June 11, 2003             Via Christi Department of Education presents “Advance Directives:  What Every Health Care Worker Needs to Know.”  Facilitated by Carolyn Harrison, RN, the workshop is from 9:00 am to Noon and will be held at the St. Joseph Campus (McNamara Center – 3^rd Floor) in Wichita.  Fee:  $30.  CNE’s will be provided.  Call 316-689-5700 to register.

June 12-14, 2003        The 14^th Annual Meeting of the American Alliance of Cancer Pain Initiatives will be held June 12-14 at the Hilton Pasadena, CA.  The theme of the meeting is “Spotlight on Pain.” For complete conference details visit http://www.aacpi.wisc.edu/14amtg.htm, or call Lorre Kolb at 608-265-4013 (email:  ljkolb@wisc.edu).   LIFE’s own Bob Twillman is current chair of this national group!

June 19-20, 2003        Midland Hospice will conduct a workshop for nurses based on the ELNEC (End-of-Life Nurses Education Consortium) curriculum.  The training will be presented Thursday, June 19 from 1:00-6:00 pm and continues on Friday, June 20 from 8:00-Noon.  Nine CNE hours will be provided.  Please contact Harmony Hines at Midland for more details, phone (785) 232-2044, ext. 311, email:  hhines@midlandhospice.org. 

June 24, 2003             The Jackson County (Holton) and Oskaloosa Caring Communities are hosting  “Pain Management:  Its up to you!” on June 24, at the Family Life Center at the Evangel United Methodist Church in Holton.  Leaders from Holton and Oskaloosa have designed a full day workshop for nurses and other professionals, which will be facilitated by Melanie Simpson, RN, BA, OCN, CHPN, from the Pain Management Resource Team at KU Medical Center.  The workshop brochure can be downloaded at www.lifeproject.org/_cc_16.htm.

August 14-16, 2003    The first ELNEC Pediatric Palliative Care Training Program will take place at the Hilton Pasadena in Pasadena, CA, August 14-16.  There is no registration fee for this training program. All course materials, including a hard copy of the curriculum, a CD of the curriculum, a textbook on palliative nursing, and a children's book, will all be provided at no cost to the participants.  Space is limited to 100 participants, and early registration is encouraged.  To download a program agenda and registration materials, visit www.aacn.nche.edu/elnec, or contact Nicole Brown at 202-463-6930, ext. 240, or by email at nbrown@aacn.nche.edu.

NOTE:  If you have any announcements to add to our calendar, please forward them to Stacie Ogborn four to eight weeks in advance of the event:  LIFE Project, 1901 University, Wichita, KS  67212, Fax # (316) 263-6542, or submit them by email to:  stacie@lifeproject.org.

LIFE Project
1901 University - Wichita, Kansas 67213-3325
316.263.6380
316.263.6542 fax
HELPLINE (tollfree) 888-202-5433
888-202-LIFE
contact@lifeproject.org