With decades of hospice experience and a highly educated staff, Abbey Hospice is a wealth of information for the local community. Whether you have a group of medical professionals, church members, community activists, students, or friends and family, we are always happy to share our knowledge.

Below are examples of topics we are currently presenting. If you have other areas of interest related to hospice, we most likely have experts available so please contact us directly.

Although we can occasionally accommodate requests on short notice we prefer to have at least 30 days notice for speaking engagements. This allows our education professionals time to create a personalized presentation for your group.

Current Topics

'The 411 on Hospice'
General overview of hospice services. Appropriate for all audiences. Explains need for service, services offered, and other common information.

'Preparations and Care for the Time of Death'
Presentation focused on the care at the actual time of death, with emphasis on the preparations necessary to insure the best care at this critical event in the trajectory of illness. Professional effectiveness is strengthened by professionals assessing their own experiences at the time of death. Identifies physical signs and symptoms of the dying process and signs of death. Reviews responsibilities of the nurse following the death of a patient.

'Hospice for the Healthcare Worker'
Overview of hospice services, appropriate referrals, and the referral process. Strengthens understanding of hospice philosophy and palliative care principles. Explains relationships between hospice and other medical professionals and the role each plays in end of life care.

'Pain Management'
Review of basic principles of pain assessment and management with a focus on pain at the end of life. Identification of barriers which impede pain assessment and treatment. Includes pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies used to relieve pain.

'Pain Management II'
Advanced assessment and management of pain at the end of life.

'Symptom Management'
Building on the "Pain Management" in-service, addresses other symptoms common at the end of life. Identifies common symptoms associated with end of life processes, potential causes of such symptoms, recommendations for assessment of symptoms, and interventions that can prevent or diminish symptoms at the end of life.

'Living Wills & Advance Directives'
Explains important paperwork available for persons to specify their end of life decisions in a legally binding manner. Differentiates among different documents. Emphasizes the importance for such documents for persons of all ages.

'Nursing Care at the End of Life'
An overview of the need to improve end of life care and the role of the nurse as a member of an interdisciplinary team in providing quality care. Basic principles of palliative care are presented within a quality of life framework.

'Ethical & Legal Issues'
Discussion of some of the key ethical issues and legal concerns in end of life care and resources to address these in practice. Professional codes and standards serve to facilitate resolution of ethical dilemmas. This presentation empowers medical professionals to serve as advocates for ethical and legal practice at the end of life.

'Achieving Quality Care at the End of Life'
This in-service focuses on the role of nurses and other medical professionals in achieving quality care at the end of life by reviewing limitations in existing systems and opportunities for change. Explores cost considerations in providing quality care at the end of life.

'Grief, Loss, & Bereavement'
Exploration of the challenging aspects of grief, loss, and bereavement of patients and families as well as the loss experiences of health care professionals. Distinguishes among anticipatory grief, normal grief, complicated grief, and disenfranchised grief. Describes the tasks of grief and factors that can significantly affect the grief process. Helps medical professionals identify systems of support to access to assist in coping with death anxiety and loss.

'Cultural Considerations in End of Life Care'
Discussion of dimensions of culture which influence end of life care. Assessment of culture is emphasized as essential to adequate communication and in providing culturally sensitive care. Includes recognition of multiple factors, i.e. ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and social class. Highlights the influence culture plays on communication in end of life care.

'Service Opportunities in Hospice'
Exploration of various volunteer opportunities available with Abbey Hospice. A great presentation for community groups and religious organizations.

'Caregiving at the End of Life'
Presentation can be customized for your group's need to include any or all of the following: overview of caregiving issues; common skills of caregiving; emotional and spiritual concerns relating to caregiving; taking care of yourself while caring for a loved one; caregivers and the workplace. Please contact Community Educator to specify your group's interest.
(Note: any information from "Caregiver Resources" section of our website can also be included.)