LIFEline
Updates from the Kansas LIFE Project
July, 2003

 

LIFE PROJECT MATERIALS AVAILABLE SOON!
Place your orders today for new and existing resource materials

            Text Box: The LIFE Project is currently taking orders for materials to promote our public campaign, “Every Kansan should expect good pain management!”  Campaign posters and other promotional items, including paper placemats, table tents, and a wallet-sized “Pain Bill of Rights,” will soon be available to LIFE Project Partners and Caring Communities.  These beautiful 11”x17” full color posters (left) are designed for prominent display in churches, libraries, physician’s offices, hospitals, long-term care facilities, senior centers, pharmacies and other public locations. 

The accompanying placemats and table tents will have a black and white image of our new pain poster and would be perfect for cafeteria trays, Meals on Wheels programs, church functions and other organizations.  A wallet-sized Pain Bill of Rights (in English and Spanish) will include a black and white image of our new pain poster, plus “Questions to Ask Your Doctor” and information on pain management, including the Pain Hotline and LIFE Project website.

The LIFE Project is also taking orders for existing materials, including A Design for Change (issue #2), “Advance Care Planning:  Do it for those you love,” Bookmarks, and End-of-Life Wallcharts. 

We invite you to think BIG, in terms of where all of these materials can be used in your communities, facilities and organizations.   How many of our new and existing resources will your community or organization need in the next 12-18 months?  Does your organization have a mailing coming up in the next few months?  How many will you need for distribution to your membership/constituency?

The order form for materials is on the LIFE Project website at www.lifeproject.org.   If you haven’t already done so, please take a moment to complete your order and email or fax it to the LIFE Project no later than August 8.   FAX:  (316) 263-6542,  EMAIL:  stacie@lifeproject.  Feel free to call Stacie at the Project office if you have questions the availability of resources.
        

THANKS TO VIA CHRISTI AND KU CENTER ON AGING
Via Christi Regional Medical Center and the KU Center on Aging provide printing assistance

The LIFE Project extends its appreciation to Via Christi Regional Medical Center and the KU Center on Aging and KU Printing Services for assistance and contributions to help make the printing of our latest resources a reality!   A special thank you goes out to Marilyn Wasinger of Via Christi, Charla Tunget and Diane Clark of the Community Education Department at the Center on Aging, and Richard Gilbert of KU Printing Services for their willingness and cooperation in providing funding and services.

LIFE PROJECT PAIN EFFORTS RECEIVE NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Dr. Robert Twillman named as Chairman of the American Alliance of Cancer Pain Initiatives and LIFE Project Director receives award

 At their annual meeting in Pasadena, California, on June 13, Bob Twillman, began his term as Chair of the American Alliance of Cancer Pain Initiatives (AACPI).    AACPI also recognized Donna Bales, President and CEO of the LIFE Project, who was awarded an Outstanding Achievement Award for her efforts to promote effective pain management.  Congratulations Bob and Donna!


LIFE PROJECT CARING COMMUNITIES NEWS

The LIFE Project would like to welcome the Northeast Kansas (NEK) Caring Community in Hiawatha to the fold! Teresa Sanderson, Home Health Hospice Supervisor at NEK Multi-County Health Department, will chair the new council. Teresa has been in conversation with leaders in neighboring Nemaha County (Seneca) to possibly join in their work.

On June 24, 2003, the Jackson County (Holton) and Oskaloosa Caring Communities hosted  “Pain Management 2003:  It’s up to you,” a day-long clinical education workshop facilitated by Melanie Simpson, RN, BA, OCN, CHPN, from the Pain Management Resource Team at KU Medical Center.  Sixty professionals attended, and outstanding evaluations were given by participants.  Additional training is being planned in these two communities on October 14, when Bob Twillman, Pain Management Program Director at KU Medical Center, will conduct training for area physicians and medical staff. 

On July 23, 2003, The Emporia Caring Community also hosted Melanie Simpson in sessions that were focused on pain management practices in the long-term care setting.  According to Vicki Fell, Program Director, Hand in Hand Homecare and Hospice, 67 professionals attended the training, including RN’s, OT’s and PT’s from area long-term care facilities.

As LIFE’s “Every Kansan should expect good pain management!” campaign moves forward, many other communities are working with the LIFE Project in planning interventions centered on improved pain management.  In addition to the Caring Communities listed above, Liberal, Dodge City, Garden City, Clay Center, Washington, Salina, Manhattan, Pratt, Newton, Wichita, Phillipsburg, Norton and Hays Caring Communities are all on board and moving forward with pain management strategies.  Please see the Calendar of Events (below) for some of the details about upcoming Caring Communities events.

The LIFE Project and LIFE’s Caring Communities recognize and thank Last Act’s Rallying Points program.  Rallying Points supports community coalitions that are working to improve end-of-life care.  Their partnership strengthens LIFE’s collaborative efforts to impact improved care for advanced chronically and terminally ill Kansans.   For information about how your community coalition can utilize this resource, call Stacie at the LIFE Project office.

UPCOMING LIFE PROJECT EVENTS CALENDAR

Please remember that LIFE Caring Community Events are open to all Caring Community Coalitions and LIFE Project Partners ~~ Please contact the LIFE Project for further details and information

August 12, 2003         The Jackson County (Holton) Caring Community will host Donna Bales in a strategic planning meeting from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at the Holton Presbyterian Church, 402 W. 5th St. in Holton.  Bales will also make a presentation to the Holton Lions Club at 7:00 pm that evening.  The Holton Recorder will conduct an interview with Donna prior to these events.  Interested persons from surrounding communities, including Hiawatha and Seneca, are invited to attend.  Please RSVP to Esther Ideker, (785) 364-2116.

August 13, 2003         The Jefferson County (Oskaloosa) Caring Community will host Donna Bales in a strategic planning event from 10:00 – Noon at the Jefferson County Health Department, 1212 Walnut, in Oskaloosa.  Please contact Betsy Schmelzle at (785) 863-2447 if you are interested in attending.

September 8-11, 2003            Bob Twillman, PhD, Pain Management Program Director, KU Medical Center will present a series of community and professional events throughout Southwest Kansas.  The Liberal Caring Community will host Dr. Twillman on September 10 & 11 and includes three 1-hour clinical workshops for nursing professionals and two community discussions.  For a complete schedule of events please visit the Liberal CC website at www.lifeproject.org/_cc_1.htm or call Linda Miller at (620) 629-6339. 

Dr. Twillman is also scheduled to make similar appearances in Garden City on September 8 & 9.  Tentative plans include presentations to local long-term care facilities, hospice professionals, the Sunrise Kiwanis club, and the public at large.  Marsha Huston, Chair of the Garden City Caring Community, is coordinating the events for that community.  She can be reached at (620) 276-6407 for event details, or by email at ombud5@hotmail.com. 

Dr. Twillman’s tour will also include a stop in Dodge City on September 9 & 10.  Julie Pinkerton is organizing those events for the Dodge City Caring Community.  Please call her at (620) 227-7209 for more information.

October 2, 2003          The Salina Caring Community and Salina Regional Health Center will host Bob Twillman in a one-day community event to address pain management issues.  Tentative plans are for Dr. Twillman to present to local physicians and nursing students.  Agenda and details for the “Every Kansan should expect good pain management!” event are currently being developed by Mary Quinley and Christine Schumacher of SRHC.  Call (785) 452-6803 for more information.

October 14, 2003        The Jefferson County (Oskaloosa) and Jackson County (Holton) Caring Communities will host Bob Twillman in a series of professional and community presentations on pain management.  Dr. Twillman is tentatively scheduled to make a presentation at a physician breakfast in Oskaloosa early in the day and will then travel to Holton for a mid-day event.  Watch for more details to come.

October 16, 2003        Melanie Simpson will be in Manhattan to conduct clinical training on pain management.  Vera Hintz, Chair of the Manhattan Caring Community, is working with Melanie to develop the program.  Stay tuned for more details.

October 17, 2003        The Clay Center and Washington County Caring Communities will host Melanie Simpson in concurrent pain management training sessions for long-term care professionals.  Dianne Michaud, Chair of the Clay Center Caring Community, is coordinating the agenda and will forward details soon.

October 22, 2003        Donna Bales will conduct a strategic planning session with the Barton County (Great Bend) Caring Community in Great Bend.  The Great Bend coalition was recently awarded a Rallying Points certificate for the program, “Partnerships With Power:  The Art and Science of Effective Engagement.”   Donita Wolf of Garden Belt Home Health & Hospice is working on the schedule for this intervention.

October 30, 2003        The Lawrence Caring Community will host Julie Russell, Nurse Dramatist, in a series of community and professional workshops.  An evening performance and panel discussion is tentatively scheduled at the Lawrence Community Theater.  Nadereh Nassari is coordinating the details for this event.

Editor’s note:  Watch soon for the LIFE Project Calendar to be posted at our website!


UPCOMING EVENTS OF LIFE PROJECT PARTNERS AND OTHERS

August 6, 2003           The Kansas Caregivers Coalition presents “The Humor in Healing” at the Wichita Marriott from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.  This workshop will serve to provide the tools and education necessary for caregivers to provide for their chronically ill loved ones.  Cost is $5 and registration is required.  Contact Becky Kimbell at the Multiple Schlerosis Society for a brochure, (316) 264-5463.

August  2003              The KU Center on Aging will host a series of FREE family and caregiver training sessions each Friday during the month of August.  Each session meets, from 10:30 a.m – 1:00 p.m., at the Landon Center on Aging building (corner of 36th & Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS).  Lunch will be provided, and space is limited.  For more information and/or to register, please call Charla Tunget at (913) 588-1306, or email:  ctunget@kumc.edu.

August 8, 2003:  “Assisting with Personal Care:  Assistive & Adaptive Devices”

August 15, 2003:  “Nutrition/Working with Healthcare Providers”

August 22, 2003:  “Positioning and Transferring:  Tips to Maintain Your Loved One at Home”

August 29, 2003:  “Care for the Caregiver:  Handling Caregiver Stress”

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.

September 3-4, 2003              The Pain Management Resource Team at KU Medical Center will present “Pain Resource Nurses Program,” a two-day intensive training program to be held at KU Hospital, Wahl Hall West.  Topics include:  acute and chronic pain, patients issues (advocacy, education and function), non-pharmacologic pain management and more.  Faculty will include Marge Barnett, RN, MS, OACN, CHPN; Melanie Simpson, RN, BSN, OCN, CHPN; Bob Twillman, PhD; Karl Becker, MD; and Sarah Taylor, MD.  Cost is $75 (free for KU Med Center employees) and registration is recommended.  Call or email Melanie Simpson for a program brochure:  (913) 588-3692, msimpson@kumc.edu.

October 6-7, 2003      Midwest Regional Conference on End-of-Life Care and Annual AKH Member Meeting, will be held at the Fairmount at the Plaza, Kansas City, Missouri.  Brochures will be available soon.  For registration information contact Cindy Baird at Missouri Hospice & Palliative Care Association, (816) 350-7702, cindy@mohospice.org. As a part of this meeting, The Rallying Points Midwest Regional Resource Center is providing a community coalition leadership track on October 7.  Presentations will focus on strategies for connecting with caregivers, clergy, physicians, and racially and ethnically diverse populations.  Mary Labyak, President and CEO of The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast will be the keynote speaker.  Conference flyers will be mailed to all Midwestern coalition leaders, including the LIFE Project Caring Communities.  For more information, call Jacqueline Talman, (816) 221-1100.

October 22, 2003        Kansas Health Ethics hosts Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays With Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven, in a community forum titled, “From Morrie to Heaven:  Searching for a Meaningful Life.”  The presentation begins at 7:00 pm at the Wichita State University Metroplex, 5015 E. 29th St. East, in Wichita.  Cost for this presentation has not been determined.  For more information contact KHE at (316) 684-1991, or visit their website at www.kansashealthethics.org.

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