Governor says not too late to get vaccinated

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that over the past week, cases of influenza in New York State rose by 72 percent, and new cases of influenza were reported in 58 out of 62 counties, including one case of influenza type A in Orleans County.

In addition, the number of patients hospitalized with laboratory- confirmed influenza was 363, a 41 percent increase from last week. The governor also urged all New Yorkers six months of age and over who have not yet received a flu shot to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

“With an increase in flu cases in every corner of this state, I want to remind New Yorkers who have not been vaccinated against the flu that it is not too late to take this critical action,” Cuomo said. “Flu season is in full-swing, and as the number of cases and hospitalizations continue to rise, we must do everything we can to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”

This influenza season, New York has had 5,400 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza in 58 counties, including all five boroughs of New York City. During this period, there have been 1,305 influenza-related hospitalizations reported, and one influenza-associated pediatric death. Over the last three seasons, there have been 19 influenza-associated pediatric deaths in New York and an average of 15,101 influenza-related hospitalizations.

Last week, State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker declared that influenza is prevalent in New York State. This announcement put into effect a regulation requiring that healthcare workers who are not vaccinated against influenza wear surgical or procedure masks in areas where patients are typically present.

In addition, the Department of Health launched the New York State Flu Tracker, a new dashboard on the New York State Health Connector that is an easy to understand source of influenza data to keep the public informed of rates of influenza in their county. The dashboard displays the number of laboratory-confirmed influenza cases by county, week and influenza type (A, B or not specified) for the current season and the three previous seasons.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, “We strongly encourage anyone who has not yet gotten the flu vaccine to get one immediately to combat this significant threat to public health. Getting vaccinated protects you as well as the people around you, including those who are more vulnerable, like babies and young children, elderly people and people with chronic health conditions.”

In addition to getting a flu shot and staying home when sick, it’s important to practice good hand-hygiene:

• Unlike some viruses, influenza is easily killed by soap and hot water.

• Wash your hands often with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds to protect yourself from germs and avoid spreading them to others.

• Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to use when soap and water are not available. Choose a product with at least 60 percent alcohol.

• Do not cough or sneeze into your hands. Instead, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. People with the flu are infectious for up to 7 days after symptoms begin.

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Genesee and Orleans Public Health Column

With the year closing out, both the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy and Happy New Year!

The collaboration between the two counties has provided several opportunities to meet our joint mission to work collaboratively ensuring conditions that promote optimal health for individuals and the communities we serve. In 2018, we have had a successful joint Point of Distribution (POD) exercise to test our Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program. Staff have had the opportunity to work across the county borders to assist in department functions during times of limited staff. We have added the Weights & Measures program in both counties to provide a consumer connection with vendors of food, fuel and other providers to test and verify the accuracy of weighing and measuring devices.

Our children’s programs work diligently to provide education, case management, support and referrals to help the children of our counties succeed and enjoy a good quality of life. The Community Health Services of both departments work hard to limit the spread of communicable diseases by providing immunizations, lead poisoning prevention direction, as well as provide guidance for pregnant moms and families with new babies. The nursing staff has provided migrant health outreach to assist the farm workers in both counties along with investigating disease / foodborne illness outbreaks.

The Environmental Team provides quality inspections to assure we are safe from foodborne illness, have working septic systems, and help keep our pets safe from rabies. The Public Health Education Team has welcomed Marlowe Thompson to work in both counties assisting with the upcoming Community Health Assessment (CHA), Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), and the Public Health Accreditation Board process.

The team along with one of our nurses is able to provide Narcan training to local businesses and organizations to help battle the opioid crisis. Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Workshops will be starting up in early 2019 in both counties in partnership with our hospitals. Our support team is always working to make sure the department is run within budget, keep our forms straight and provide guidance with insurance reimbursement.

In 2019, we are looking to shift from organizational thinking to community focused thinking by taking the role of Community Chief Health Strategists. Our departments have always worked collaboratively with other agencies within our borders and are looking to focus community resources on improving specific health outcomes as we develop our tri-county CHA/CHIP and in partnership with the local hospital systems, Community Services Plan.

We will be looking to community members to assist in this process by participating in community conversations and taking a community health assessment survey. Both departments look forward to having a joint web site where you can access forms and information from both county health departments. We continue to provide timely posts on our GO Health NY Facebook and Twitter pages along with increasing interviews on our GO Health NY YouTube site.

“It is our pleasure to serve the residents and visitors of Genesee and Orleans Counties,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director of Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “On behalf of the staff in both counties thank you for the opportunity to serve you and we look forward to a great 2019!”

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Provided photo: Pamela Heideman, center, is a certified nursing assistant at Medina Memorial Hospital. She was recently honored by the New York State Health Facilities Association and New York State Center for Assisted Living at a reception at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens in Buffalo. With her are Sarah Bateman, left, administrator of Medina Memorial Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Facility, and Kerry Mikits, nurse manager of the SNF.

MEDINA – Each year, the New York State Health Facilities Association and New York State Center for Assisted Living (Western Region Buffalo) honors staff of local skilled nursing facilities for service and dedication to the health care field.

At this year’s awards reception at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens, a Medina Memorial Hospital employee was one of the recipients of a Caring Heart Award.

Pamela Heideman has been a certified nursing assistant in the hospital’s skilled nursing facility for three years.

According to her supervisors, Heideman is recognized by her peers as a team player, completing her tasks ahead of time so she can help other staff members. She has donated accumulated personal benefit time for another staff to use in their time of need.

She is flexible, has a positive attitude and goes above and beyond to provide excellent care to residents every day. She truly cares and treats every resident as family. She willingly arrives early and assumes special assignments, additional duties and reports on short notice to cover open positions by working extra shifts.

Her care reflects the highest quality that is expected by residents, and her positive attitude and genuine smile have earned her the love and respect of peers and residents alike.

Pam is considered a role model for others to emulate.

“When Pam is working, you know it is going to be a great day,” her peers agree.

The Caring Hearts Award is presented to one who lends a hand in times of need, puts others needs before their own, makes a positive impact in the community, brings warmth to everyday activities, takes the time to listen, creates energetic team spirit, rallies around a cause and reaches out to make a difference.

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Photos contributed: Marion Miano, 86, a diabetes educator at Orleans Community Health, receives a Distinguished Alumni Award from Tonawanda High School.

MEDINA – At 86, retirement isn’t in Marion Miano’s schedule.

A certified diabetes educator, Miano graduated in 1950 from Tonawanda High School, where she was recently honored with the school’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

The former Marion Charsley, Miano of Indian Falls furthered her education at E. J. Meyer Memorial Hospital’s School of Nursing, where she graduated in 1953, first in her class.

Sixty-five years later, Miano remains active and dedicated to helping her patients. She continues to teach diabetes education every Wednesday at Medina Memorial Hospital, where Cindy Perry, director of education, wellness and marketing at Community Partners, calls Miano a remarkable woman.

Miano began her career in advanced coronary care after attending an intensive six-week course. She assisted in setting up the first coronary care unit at the former St. Jerome Hospital in Batavia, where she was appointed head nurse of that unit. Her nursing career expanded beyond coronary care when she became the first certified diabetes educator at the Batavia VA Medical Center and Rochester Clinic, where she cared for veterans for 28 years who served from World War I to Operation Desert Storm.

Her awards include the Administrator’s Award for Excellence in Nursing in 1984; Special Advancement and Performance Honors as the first Certified Diabetes Educator at the VA Medical Center in Batavia in 1991; Nurse of Distinction in 1993 at the VA Medical Center; Western New York Diabetes Educator of the Year in 2003; and Batavia/Genesee Zonta Club’s Woman of the Year in 2003.

Marion Miano

Miano often traveled to the homes of patients who needed diabetes education, but were homebound. She would take medical supplies and monitoring equipment with her. The result was a better understanding of diabetes, which had a positive impact on patients’ lives. These visits were often pro bono, because Miano was and is passionate about helping patients and her community.

She not only provided outstanding care at the hospitals where she worked, but Miano has performed numerous other activities related to nursing. She was treasurer of the Western New York AADE for 10 years; co-chairman of the Diabetes Walk for more than 10 years; a Tour De Cure rest stop captain for 10 years; and group facilitator for the last 20 years at the Batavia VA Medical Center, Medina Memorial Hospital and Clarence community.

She has done countless presentations for the Lions and Rotary clubs, senior citizen groups, teachers, nursing staff, health fairs and educational seminars. She serves Wyoming, Genesee, Orleans, Erie and Niagara counties.

In addition to providing comprehensive diabetes education to inpatients, outpatients and groups, Miano also has a private practice. She is in her 65th year contributing to her profession, her patients and her community. She still facilitates support groups in Clarence and Medina.

This extraordinary woman with boundless energy accomplished her career while she was a devoted wife to husband Peter and mother of five children, Mark, Margaret, Anthony, Alan and Joseph.

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Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (A.8401-C/S.8977) to establish a sexual assault survivors’ bill of rights.

The new law requires the Department of Health, in consultation with the Division of Criminal Justice Services, the Office of Victim Services, and other stakeholders, to establish a sexual assault survivors’ bill of rights for purposes of informing survivors of their rights under state law. Notifying victims of their legal rights will help ensure survivors request and receive the information they need to navigate complicated medical and criminal justice systems.

“As the federal government shamefully ignores the voices of sexual assault survivors, New York is doing everything in our power to empower survivors and ensure they are treated with dignity and respect,” Governor Cuomo said. “This legislation will support our work to combat the scourge of sexual harassment and assault, help deliver justice to survivors and make New York a safer state for all.”

The bill of rights includes the right to:

• Consult with a rape crisis or victim assistance organization;

• Appropriate health care services at no cost; and

• Receive updates on their sexual offense evidence kit and the status of their case.

The bill requires all law enforcement agencies to adopt policies that help them communicate effectively with survivors and it creates a Victim’s Right to Notice, which enables a survivor to request information on their sexual offense evidence kit from the police agency or prosecutorial agency with jurisdiction over the crime.

The Governor’s action today will create greater transparency and accountability within the medical and criminal justice processes, and help ensure all sexual assault survivors are treated with dignity, compassion and respect. The Sexual Assault Victim Bill of Rights will immediately be authorized and directed to be completed on or before the date the legislation takes effect, which is in 180 days.

This legislation builds on Governor Cuomo’s record of supporting sexual assault survivors, which includes clearing the backlog of sexual assault evidence kits and mandating that newly acquired sexual assault evidence kits are – upon consent of a survivor – tested by law enforcement in a speedy manner. In addition, as part of the FY 2019 Budget, Governor Cuomo passed legislation to extend the length of time sexual offense evidence collection kits are preserved from 30 days to 20 years, delivering justice to survivors.

Selena Bennett-Chambers, Policy Director at the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault, said, “We applaud Governor Cuomo and the New York State legislature for enacting this bill into law. Recent reports of survivors of sexual violence being improperly billed by several hospitals for forensic rape examinations support the need for this law. In addition, providing survivors of sexual violence with the right to receive information regarding the status of their kits from a designee of a police or prosecutorial agency, who is trained in trauma and victim response, is a huge step in the right direction. Survivors of sexual violence should be supported in knowing their rights and their rights must be upheld.”

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Press Release, New York State Association of County Health Officials

The New York State Association of County Health Officials (NYSACHO), representing all 58 local health departments in New York State, today expressed serious concerns about the legalization of an adult-use regulated marijuana program, and called on lawmakers to approach legalization thoughtfully and with extreme caution.

The concerns expressed by NYSACHO stem from research substantiating that the use and availability of marijuana carries numerous risks, including: future high risk of addiction to other drugs; harmful cognitive and academic effects; adverse cardiac and respiratory effects; unintentional exposures to children; and motor vehicle accidents.

It was for these reasons that NYSACHO earlier this year submitted a memorandum of opposition to legalized recreational marijuana use. Fundamentally, NYSACHO remains opposed to the recreational use of marijuana. If such a policy is nevertheless enacted and is true to the State Health Department’s standard of “doing more good than harm,” NYSACHO is calling for the establishment of critical safeguards before sales are legalized, including, but not limited to:

• Setting the legal age of sale at 21 years of age in combination with adoption of Tobacco 21 policy at the state-level.

• Establishing clinical trials and properly funding surveillance and research efforts to ensure the State can identify, measure and respond to foreseen and unforeseen impacts of legalized marijuana.

• Adding marijuana to the Clean Indoor Air Act to ensure children, youth and other vulnerable populations are not exposed to marijuana use or second hand smoke.

• Funding studies which will help evaluate reliable methods of toxicology field-testing and impairment levels which will help set evidence-based regulations for impaired driving, as it pertains to marijuana use.

• Allocate additional funding to Local Health Departments for anticipated increases in workload, including response to Clean Indoor Air Act complaints; sales enforcement activities; dissemination of educational information campaigns to protect vulnerable populations, including children and pregnant women, from harmful effects of marijuana use; and formulating safety regulations for edibles, including child resistant packaging and restricting products/packaging that appeal to children.

“As county health officials who serve as the first line of defense in our communities, we have seen up close the devastation associated with the abuse of legal prescription opioid medications. We need to be certain that the implementation of any recreational marijuana policy does not create another unintended public health crisis,” said Paul A. Pettit, NYSACHO President and Public Health Director of Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments.

“We look forward to working with the State to ensure our shared priority is protecting the public against the harmful risks associated with marijuana use.”

The New York State Association of County Health Officials (NYSCHO) supports, advocates for, and empowers local health departments in their work to promote health and wellness and prevent disease, disability and injury throughout New York State.

Visit us at www.nysacho.org.

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Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Public Health Column

The Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming County Health Departments are challenging county residents to choose “Healthy Behaviors” during National Influenza Vaccination Week, Dec. 2-8. ’Tis the season of influenza (flu), where keeping hands clean and covering up coughs/sneezes are friendly ways of not spreading the flu to others.

We are encouraging everyone who can to get the flu shot this year as a good way to be safe from the flu. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that a flu vaccination has many benefits, which can prevent you from getting sick with the flu.

CDC also states that during the 2017-2018 flu season the flu vaccine prevented 49 million flu illnesses, 79,000 deaths and 960,000 flu-related hospitalizations. For anyone over 6 months old, please get the flu shot as a healthy and safe gift to yourself and your family this holiday season. Being vaccinated will help to protect babies (less than 6 months old) and individuals with medical conditions who cannot receive the flu vaccine.

It takes about two weeks after getting the flu vaccine for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body, so making plans now is a wise choice. Per the CDC, children aged 6 months to 8 years old require 2 doses of flu vaccine (administered ≥ 4 weeks apart) if they have never been vaccinated against flu before, their vaccination history is unknown,  or they haven’t received 2 doses  before July 1, 2016.

“Influenza activity is increasing each week throughout New York State,” stated Brenden Bedard, director of Community Health Services for Genesee and Orleans. “Laboratory cases so far this season have been confirmed in Genesee and Wyoming counties.”

Tips to stay healthy during the flu season:

• Wash your hands throughout the day with soap and water, or sanitizer when you’re not by a sink.

• Cover up coughs and sneezes with your arm or tissue. Be sure to wash your hands after a cough or sneeze.

• Limit handshaking and hugs during the flu season.

• Clean and disinfect commonly touched items, including but not limited to, phones, computers, other electronic items, countertops/surfaces, door knobs and toys.

To learn more about the flu visit the New York State Department of Health web site, click here.

For information about the Orleans County Health Department services, call (585) 589-3278 or check out the website.  Visit Facebook at: Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments and Twitter: @GoHealthNY.

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Photo courtesy of Oak Orchard Health

HORNELL – Oak Orchard Health is opening a new medical office in Hornell at 7309 Seneca Road North. Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul joined Oak Orchard Health leaders in cutting the ribbon for the new center, which opens to the public on Dec. 10

Hochul was joined by State Assemblyman Philip Palmesano; Rose Duhan, President & CEO of Community Health Care Association of NY; Oak Orchard Health CEO Mary Ann Pettibon; and OOH Board members including Karen Watt, the board chairwoman.

This new location will house both primary and pediatric medical care along with dental care for the whole family under one roof.  Currently, those OOH services are provided at separate locations.

Lt. Governor Hochul delivered the opening remarks and discussed the great need for the high-quality health care that Oak Orchard provides in this area.

“It is so hard to get high-quality health care for people in rural areas,” Hochul said. “This is a game-changer for the over 21,000 patients you serve.”

Oak Orchard has sites in Albion, Lyndonville, Brockport and Warsaw, as well as a mobile dental unit.

“Oak Orchard’s mission is to cultivate health and wellness by providing engaged and innovative medical, dental and vision care for our community,” said Pettibon, Oak Orchard CEO. “Being in this new state-of-the-art facility will help us to fulfill that mission here in Hornell.”

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Photo by Tom Rivers – The mobile dental unit is pictured in July 2014 parked behind Oak Orchard Health at 301 West Ave. in Albion.

ALBION – The Oak Orchard Health’s mobile dental unit is currently at the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School in Albion until Nov. 30 and will go to Medina’s Oak Orchard Elementary School beginning on Dec. 3.

The dental unit  provides dental services to local students and community members. Consent forms for students have been distributed. If students and their parents and guardians are interested in dental services, they should return the flier to the students’ teachers.

The mobile dental unit typically serves about 200 children at the Albion school district. They get teeth cleanings and dental exams.

Oak Orchard Health has been taking the unit to local school districts since 2005, serving several hundred children each year, cleaning teeth, doing sealants and extractions. If there is a more serious problem, such as a crown or root canal – which is rare for children – the child will be referred to have the work done at Oak Orchard’s dental offices in Brockport.

The unit debuted with Oak Orchard in 2004 and spent its first few months in Warsaw. Oak Orchard has since opened dental offices in Warsaw and also in Hornell, so the mobile unit doesn’t need to travel to those communities.

Having Oak Orchard dental services in Warsaw and Hornell also has allowed Oak Orchard to keep the unit in Albion when it isn’t visiting school districts.

Oak Orchard has dentists, a hygienist and a coordinator working out of the unit. The site has two dental chairs. It has its own hot water tank, and a sterilization unit to clean equipment and instruments.

Oak Orchard accepts Child Health Plus, Medicaid, other insurance and also has a sliding fee for people without insurance.

For more information on the mobile dental unit, call 585-267-9236 or click here.

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Press Release, GCASA

ALBION – GCASA’s Responsible Server Training is designed specifically to educate people who sell or serve alcohol whether on a daily basis or only occasionally.

The Responsible Server Training is a state-approved Alcohol Training Awareness Program and is available year round. The training is an education based program for all businesses, groups and individuals who sell or serve alcoholic beverages.

“Many people who sell or serve alcoholic beverages are not even aware of the liability they expose themselves to when selling or serving alcohol to the community,” said Pat Crowley, director of Orleans United Drug-Free Communities Coalition. “For this reason, and the recent arrests of four individuals working in Orleans County alcohol establishments we would like to waive the $10 fee per individual and offer this service to them free of charge.”

The program is designed to educate employees of bars, restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores, liquor stores, fire departments and other establishments that sell or serve alcoholic beverages to help create the kind of environment that promotes safety and responsibility wherever alcohol is sold. Those completing the training receive state certification that is valid for three years.  Some of the topics covered are:

• How alcohol affects the brain

• Behavioral indicators and how can they be used to assess a customer

• Alcohol Beverage Control laws and liability

• Valid and non-valid forms of identification

• How to document alcohol related incidents

To schedule a training for your establishment or for individuals to attend a regularly scheduled monthly training at GCASA, please contact Sherri Bensley, Assistant Director of Prevention, at 585-331-8742.

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The New York State Association of Counties and the NYS Association of County Coroners & Medical Examiners created a public service announcement about the opioid crisis.

An public service campaign has been recognized with a marketing and communication award. The New York State Association of Counties and the New York State County Coroners and Medical Examiners Association teamed for the effort.

They were recognized on Wednesday at the 2018 Capital Region MARCOM Awards competition in Schenectady. This annual event recognizes excellence in marketing and communications through outstanding work in several categories.

The See the Signs, Save a Life campaign received a MARCOM Award in the video category. Four other video campaigns were finalists in this category.

After years of seeing opioid abuse devastate families and their communities, NYSAC and the NYSCCME came together in the spring of 2018 with a common goal: educating the public about the signs of opioid abuse, and getting help to those who need it before it’s too late. The associations sought to do this through a powerful video public service advertisement that didn’t shy away from the reality of the situation: opioid addiction leads to death. (View the video and related resources at www.nysac.org/opioids.)

The public service campaign, created in partnership with Trellis Marketing, ran on television stations throughout New York State, on social media channels, and was shared on local government and association websites. The campaign was also shared with residents directly by local leaders.

NYSAC and its member counties have been battling the opioid epidemic for years, through several agencies, including county social services, health departments, law enforcement, jails, 9-1-1 dispatch, district attorneys, public defenders, probation, coroners, and medical examiners.

NYSAC and NYSCCME are both currently led by Orleans County officials. Chuck Nesbitt, the county’s chief administrative officer, is president of NYSAC. Scott Schmidt, the county’s chief coroner, has been president of NYSCCME the past nine years.

“On behalf of the Association of Counties, I want to express our sincere appreciation to the MARCOM Award committee,” Nesbitt said. “This video public service announcement was designed to better inform our residents of the signs that could lead to saving a life. We’re grateful for this recognition and hope the effort to educate the public continues.”

“The far-reaching effects of a drug overdose death are devastating,” Schmidt said. “NYSCCME felt that by showing the after-effects of using these lethal substances with an ‘in-your-face’ approach, we might be able to save at least one life. We are very proud of the resulting campaign and our partnership with NYSAC and Trellis. Thank you to the MARCOM awards for this recognition. We hope that this video is seen far and wide.”

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Press Release, Orleans Community Health

File photos by Tom Rivers: Karen Watt, chairwoman of Oak Orchard Health, is pictured inside the center’s Albion facility on Route 31.

ALBION – Karen Watt, chairwoman of the board of directors for Oak Orchard Health, has been honored by the Community Health Care Association of New York State.

During that group’s annual conference on Oct. 21, Watt was presented with the Rosemarie Forstner Award. Each year, CHCANYS honors its trailblazers and those who are working today to ensure access to high quality health care for all. The Rosemarie Forstner Award honors exemplary health center staff or board members who show a distinctive level of excellence and consistent participation in the center’s operations for at least three years.

Oak Orchard Health nominated Watt because of her inspiring passion and understanding of the issues facing health centers, and most importantly, their patients. A member of the Board of Directors for 19 years, she is a true advocate and champion for the mission of community health centers, especially Oak Orchard. Karen is very well versed in how a good community health center operates in order to take the best possible care of its patients.

She is deeply committed to the health care of the migrant farmworker population – the very people Oak Orchard was created to serve. She embodies their core values of excellence, collaboration, compassion and innovation and is a true supporter of the mission, which is to cultivate health and wellness by providing engaged and innovative medical, dental, and vision care for our community.

Karen Watt and her grandson Evan lead a walk to raise funding for local cancer patients at Watt Farms on Oct. 29, 2016. The farm for 11 years hosted a walk that raised about $350,000.

Watt is the co-owner of Watt Farms in Albion. She has served as president of the Orleans County Farm Bureau and as a director on the New York Farm Bureau board of directors, advocating for the fruit industry and direct markets.

In addition to her advocacy for migrant farm worker health as a board member of Oak Orchard Health, she has served on the National Advisory Council on Migrant Health, including a year as its chairwoman. She is currently Vice Chair of the board of the National Center of Farm-Worker Health and received the 2013 Outstanding Migrant Health Center Board Member Award from NACHC, the National Association of Community Health Centers.

Watt is also an advocate for breast cancer research and organized the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Orchard Walk at Watt Farms each fall from 2005-2017. For 11 years, the event raised over $350,000 for the American Cancer Society and in 2016-17 raised money for the local Genesee-Orleans Cancer Services Program.

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Press Release, Hospice of Orleans

ALBION – Throughout the month of November, Hospice of Orleans will be joining organizations across the nation hosting activities that will help the community understand how important hospice and palliative care can be.

Hospice on Thursday, Nov. 8, will show a free screening of Frontline’s Being Mortal, hosted by the Medina Theatre. That event begins at 6:30 p.m.

Hospice is not a place but is high-quality care that enables patients and families to focus on living as fully as possible despite a life-limiting illness. Palliative care brings this holistic model of care to people earlier in the course of a serious illness.

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and hospice and palliative care programs across the country are reaching out to help people understand all that hospice and palliative care offer.

In recent months, a number of notable Americans have died. They include Senator John McCain, the queen of soul Aretha Franklin, and former first lady Barbara Bush. In many media reports, they were described as having “given up” on curative care late in their lives. Ms. Franklin opted for hospice care; Mrs. Bush received what was described as “comfort care.”

It is essential that people understand that hospice and palliative care is not giving up, it is not the abandonment of care, it is not reserved for the imminently dying,” said Edo Banach, president and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. “Hospice is a successful model of person-centered care that brings hope, dignity and compassion when they are most needed. This is one reason that the national My Hospice Campaign was launched this year.

Every year, nearly 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries receive care from hospices in this country, reports NHPCO. Hospice and palliative care programs provide pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support, and spiritual care to patients and their family caregivers when a cure is not possible.

As Flo Surdi, a volunteer at Hospice of Orleans noted, “Someone asked why I spend time volunteering for hospice. It’s because hospice was there for my family at the most difficult time in our lives, and because hospice staff provide the best care possible when you need it most. It’s not about dying, it’s about living life! “

More information about hospice, palliative care, and advance care planning is available from Hospice of Orleans (585) 589-0809, www.hospiceoforleans.org or from NHPCO’s CaringInfo.org. Follow Hospice of Orleans on Facebook to learn more and join the organization.

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