An Alternative
Provided by Janet Bosserman APR Sr. Public Relations Counselor, 8:51 amSometimes we can over think or complicate messaging about hospice. Those in the field know that many misperceptions abound about hospice. But the main point to communicate about hospice is that it provides an alternative, a very good alternative to the way most die. We believe Richard Burham got it right in his USA Today magazine article, “Hospice Care: Making an Informed Choice.” He wrote, “People do not want to die alone away from their family, friends, and familiar surroundings, nor do they want to die in pain. Through understanding, recognition, and acceptance of hospice care, those diagnosed with a terminal illness have a favorable alternative when curative treatment no longer is an option.”
The messaging can be that simple and that profound. Helping people know about your hospice and helping them understand your services and benefits is really about informing them of the alternative.
A very good alternative.
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July 22, 2010
Travel or Stay at Home for Hospice Marketing Help
Provided by Janet Bosserman APR Sr. Public Relations Counselor, 1:36 pmIf you haven’t had the opportunity to hear one of Transcends’ speakers the next few months offers you some opportunities on both coasts and in the Midwest. Stan Massey will be speaking in Boston on August 5th for NHPCO’s Continuum of Care Conference; in Westerville, Ohio on September 16th for the Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice; October 6th he’ll by in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for The Carolinas End of Life conference and just a week later Stan will be on the west coast in Bend, Oregon speaking at the Oregon Hospice Association’s annual conference on October 14-15.
But if you’re too busy to travel to one of those fine conferences consider attending the Transcend webinar to learn how to more effectively market your hospice. The webinar will be held on August 19th from 12-1p.m. EDT.
For more information or to register for the webinar please click webinar.
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July 14, 2010
The Color of Hospice
Provided by Janet Bosserman APR Sr. Public Relations Counselor, 10:55 amThose of you familiar with the Wizard of Oz movie know that portions of the movie are in black and white and some portions are in color. While it’s been awhile since I’ve seen the film I remember the opening credits and those in Kansas as being in black and white and the scenes in Oz are in color.
The memory of the film was triggered when I read Nancy Cronk’s piece “My Father’s Final Journey in Hospice” at Huffington Post.
Nancy likens moving from hospital to hospice akin to going from black and white to color in the Wizard of Oz.
In her moving account she said “the love of strangers for our family was as beautiful and nurturing, as the depth of our grief. There was nothing my Dad and our family lacked – we had peace and quiet when we needed it, company when we desired it, honest education when we asked for it, and loving support 24 hours each day. I can honestly say I have never experienced anything more profound, more beautiful, more loving and more deeply touching than our week in hospice with my father.”
No more words needed, you get the picture(and it’s in color).
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June 30, 2010
Media Focus on End of Life is Welcome News
Provided by Janet Bosserman APR Sr. Public Relations Counselor, 4:31 pmOn two recent Sundays, two very important articles on end of life and hospice care have been published and widely read. On June 14, New York Times had a lengthy article about one family’s agonizing decisions to keep prolonging their Dad’s life. It is complete with details, research studies, costs of procedures and an inside look into the emotions and toll the multi-year ordeal took.
On June 20, Parade Magazine, which is inserted in over 500 newspapers nationwide, featured a hospice nurse from North Carolina. The article gives an accurate picture of the benefits of hospice. Chrissy Gresham, a 31-year-old hospice nurse, is quoted as saying “In the hospital, it’s always fight, fight, fight to keep people going.” She shared her goal for her hospice patients as “a peaceful death at home, surrounded by the people they love.”
Gresham is also quoted in the Parade article, saying “You can’t do this job for a paycheck. It must be a calling – a passion.”
Both articles are important tools to inform people about end-of-life decisions and options.
It’s really wonderful that the national media, which only a few short months ago focused on politicized “death panels,” are publishing solid, well-researched articles. These should help people make good decisions for themselves and for their loved ones.
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June 22, 2010
Bless the Hospice Grief Counselors
Provided by Stan Massey, 8:51 amThose of us who work with or for hospices are probably much more in touch with the realities of death and dying than your typical American citizen. Yet when death strikes close to us, especially unexpectedly, we can be as devastated as the next person.
Recently, one of our dear colleagues at Transcend Hospice Marketing Group – a bright 32-year-old with a promising future and dazzling smile – suffered a sudden, massive heart attack. She lapsed into a coma and passed away the next day.
All of our exposure to and experience with end-of-life issues didn’t prepare us for the shock, pain and grief of such a sudden loss so close to home. Thankfully, our local community hospice – and flagship client – thoughtfully offered the services of a grief and bereavement counselor.
The counselor led us through a very helpful session – helping us share fond memories of our co-worker and friend, explaining the different stages and emotions of the grieving process, giving us insights into what we may expect individually down the road. She also offered private sessions for anyone in need, immediately or anytime in the future.
We realize that many hospices offer these invaluable services to their communities, whether or not a departed family member received services from their hospice or not. And all at no charge to the grieving.
I know our team at Transcend has always had tremendous respect for our clients who offer the comfort and support of their grief and bereavement counselors. But never more so than when we were on the receiving end of their wisdom and advice.
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