Advance Care Planning (ACP) is for all adults age 18years or older, healthy or with chronic illness. ACP is a guide to communicating your preferences for medical care when you can no longer speak for yourself. Deaconess cares about what matters most to you.
Topics can include the following:
- Learn the importance of Advance Care Planning (ACP)
- Understand options for your Advanced Directives (AD)
- How to appoint a Health Care Representative (HCR)
- Know things to consider and questions to ask
- Ask for help as needed starting the conversation or completing documents
Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is often dismissed as, “it’s all in her head”, when it’s difficult to find a diagnosis. It’s a very frustrating and complex condition to treat, often leading to multiple doctors’ visits prior to being seen in a specialty clinic, such as the Pelvic Health and Wellness Center (PHWC). At at the conclusion of the presentation, the audience will be able to have a better understanding of how to identify different CPP conditions, begin a management algorithm and refer out to a specialist when needed.
Amount of notice needed: At least one month
Minimum audience required: Any size group who is interested in learning more about improving pelvic health.
We are experiencing an explosion of driving distractions. But most dangerous is the attitude that it is acceptable to do other things while driving. This attitude is so universal that most of us aren’t even aware how often we are distracted from the task at hand – driving our vehicle safely. Driver distraction is a factor in 4,000 to 8,000 crashes per day – that’s about 3 to 6 crashes PER MINUTE.
Although teens/new drivers are often the group who are first mentioned during discussions of distracted driving, the reality is, all ages engage in potentially dangerous behaviors behind the wheel. Our distracted driving presentation discusses many of the distractions faced when behind the wheel and ways to avoid these distractions. This presentation can be tailored for the young adult/new driver audience or for the more seasoned driver. The message is relevant for all ages.
Amount of notice needed: At least one month
Minimum audience required: 10
Falls are the leading cause of traumatic injury and death for the older adult. Our fall prevention program is aimed at helping older adults and their caregivers recognize risk factors for falls, and implement strategies to prevent falls.
Amount of notice needed: at least two weeks
Minimum audience required: 10
What is home health? Who can benefit from it? How does it work and who pays for it? Deaconess VNA provides education on a variety of home health services. From receiving therapy and nursing care following a joint replacement, to medication education, wound care, telehealth education for patients with COPD, diabetes, a-fib, other respiratory complications, and more! Telemedicine is helping improve outcomes for home health patients through the use of biometric monitoring and video technology. We will present on all of the benefits of home health care and how we can help YOU stay independent.
Amount of notice needed: 2 weeks
Minimum audience required: 10
The Women’s Hospital and Deaconess Cancer Services is enhancing quality of care in the treatment of breast cancer care for women who are newly diagnosed through the Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Clinic.
Amount of notice needed: 4 weeks
Minimum audience: 10
When you have joint pain, every step becomes about finding relief. Orthopaedic Associates presents an educational seminar on keeping your muscles, joints and bones healthy as you age.
Expert providers will discuss the importance of healthy movement, conservative care treatment plans and when surgery may become your best option. Topics include an overview of knee, hip and shoulder pain, expectations following surgery, pain management and therapy to stay active.
Amount of notice needed to present: At least one month
Minimum audience required: 10
Many cancers “run in families” and have genetic ties. Learn more about genetic counseling—what it is, and why it may be important for you.
Amount of notice needed: 4 weeks
Minimum audience: 10
You have heard the number: one out of eight women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. But here’s another number to focus on: more than 95 percent of women whose breast cancer is caught in its earliest stages will be healthy and disease-free five years after their diagnosis and treatment. Topics include an overview of the latest tools used in the early diagnosis of breast cancer, the importance of screening and a healthy lifestyle. Learn about risk factors and which screening tests are right for you if you are at higher risk.
Amount of notice needed: At least one month
Minimum audience required: 10
Stroke is the number one cause of long term disability in the U.S. Knowing the signs and symptoms along with F.A.S.T. recognition and action is the best way to prevent yourself from being part of that statistic. Our stroke experts will discuss risk factors, stroke signs and symptoms, as well as what you can do to prevent a stroke.
Amount of notice needed to present: At least one month
Minimum audience required: 10
“Stop the Bleed” is a national campaign to empower individuals to act quickly to save lives. No matter how rapid the arrival of emergency responders, bystanders will always be first on the scene in the event of a disaster, shooting or other act of violence. A person who is bleeding can die from blood loss within 5 minutes, therefore it is important to quickly stop the blood.
“Stop the Bleed” is a combination of brief lecture and “hands on” skills. It is appropriate for any age group.
Amount of notice needed: At least two weeks
Minimum audience required: 10
Deaconess Weight Loss Solutions offers a comprehensive surgical weight loss program for those with a BMI over 40, or those with a BMI of 35 or above causing other health issues. We will discuss how our physicians work with patients to develop individualized personal weight loss plans, and the roles of our dietitians, exercise specialist, behaviorist and medical director.
Amount of notice needed: 2 weeks
Minimum audience: 10
In 2014, 1.6 million people have used hospice care in the United States. Understanding the full benefits of hospice is important. What is hospice care? How did it become? Deaconess VNA will discuss points about what hospice is and the history, what to expect, how to have those hard conversations with loved ones, and what to discuss with your doctor. Included in the discussion will be tips on honoring end-of-life wishes; how to have important conversations with those you love.
Amount of notice needed: 2 weeks
Minimum audience required: 10
Do you live with or know someone living with a chronic illness? Many people find that chronic illness, as it progresses, impacts quality of life and can increase caregiver stress. Common chronic health conditions may include heart problems, lung and breathing issues, kidney or liver disease, cancer, stroke complications, or a progressing neurological condition such as dementia, Parkinson’s, ALS or MS.
Experts from Deaconess Palliative Care program will share information about improving quality of life and reducing caregiver strain. Topics include:
- What palliative care is, and how it maximizes quality of life for those with chronic diseases
- The difference between palliative care and hospice
- Conversation starters with loved ones and health care providers
- Patient and caregiver support and self-care
- Advanced care planning and other ways to be proactive with health care advanced directives
Our goal is to meet your group’s needs--we can provide very casual conversations or a more formal lecture style, including a 5-60 minute PowerPoint presentation and/or helpful handouts. Our team of doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, program coordinators and clinical social workers all work together to help meet your group’s needs.
Advance notice needed: 2 weeks
Minimum audience size: No minimum
Learn more about the risk factors and treatment options for gynecologic cancers, such as ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers. (Can also focus on one type of gynecologic cancer, if requested.)
Amount of notice needed: 4 weeks
Minimum audience: 10
1 in 4 veterans is near the end of their life. Deaconess VNA is a provider with the We Honor Veterans program, a partnership of the VA and the NHPCP (National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization). The goal is to provide the best end-of-life care to our veteran patients and their families, to recognize the unique needs of veterans during the dying process, and to be the area’s provider on veteran-centric end-of-life care. We will educate the audience on the We Honor Veterans program and how it can help their loved ones.
Amount of notice needed: 2 weeks
Minimum audience: 10
Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in the United States. The Stroke Program can provide education on the types of strokes, risk factors, signs and symptoms, potential treatments and stroke prevention.