LMHPCO Prison Support Hospice Project
Over the past 9 years, Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, LA
has become a model for end-of-life care within corrections. Angola’s commitment to improving end-of-life care within the institution has helped transform one of America’s “Bloody Prison” into a national model for corrections http://onelastshotthemovie.org/ .
The dedication of the Angola administration, staff and inmates resulted in LSP’s Hospice being recognized by American Hospital Association in 2000 with the Circle of Life (254k PDF), awarded for “their outstanding innovations and commitment.”
LMHPCO supports and encourages better end-of-life care within corrections and this support has resulted in additional Louisiana Correctional facilities launching hospice initiatives. In September 2006, LMHPCO held a week-long Volunteer training at Angola attended by 119 inmates from 5 state male correctional facilities throughout Louisiana. In March 2007, the program was repeated in the women’s facility (LCIW) at St Gabriel, LA.
LMHPCO is grateful for the support of the Carpenter Foundation in funding these projects, as well as in making scholarships available to encourage the continuing education for hospice professional within corrections and inmate hospice volunteers.
In April 2008, the LMHPCO Board of Directors held their quarterly Board Meeting at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, MS in order to meet with prison administrators and plan for the initiation of hospice services at the facility. LMHPCO is committed to providing Mississippi Corrections with the necessary resources it needs to improve end-of-life care at MSP at Parchman, MS.
LMHPCO is working with NHPCO and correctional professional from around the country to develop quality standard guidelines for hospices operating within corrections. A working draft of the guidelines should be available in 2008.
Be A Hero!
Give to the LMHPCO Prison EoL Educational Fund and provide educational support and funding for the continued development of End-of-Life Care within Corrections
With limited state continuing educational resources, correctional professionals depend upon our support for their continuing hospice education. LMHPCO is actively seeking grants to defray the cost of their education. All donations are tax deductible.
For details contact Jamey Boudreaux at 888-546-1500 or mail your donations to:
LMHPCO Prison EoL Educational Fund
717 Kerlerec
New Orleans, LA 70116
Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, LA
American Hospital Association in 2000 with the Circle of Life (254k PDF)
VISN 16 VA-Hospice Partnership
VISNs are Integrated Service Networks, designed to pool and align local resources, to better meet Veteran healthcare needs. The VA-Medical system consists of 21 such VISNs, of which Louisiana and Mississippi are part of VISN 16 (also including, the eastern part of Texas, the states of Oklahoma and Arkansas, as well as the Gulfcoast region of Alabama and panhandle of Florida). Working with VA officials, LMHPCO is partnering to eliminate institutional barriers and improve access to hospice care for Veterans and VA clients living in VISN16.
According to the Veterans Administration: each day, 1,800 veterans die in this country and estimates that 41.7 of these deaths take place in Louisiana and Mississippi. Veterans living in VISN16 total 45,431; of which 9,265 (20.4%) live in Louisiana and 5,968 (13%) live in Mississippi.
Meeting in New Orleans, LMHPCO recently launched a VA-Hospice Taskforce, chaired by Dee Boggs. Members include: Sylvia Marcantel, David Parker, Dr. Shiva Akula, Mike Blanchard, Michele Deshotels, Julie Henry, Ramona Martin, Belinda Patterson, Amanda White, Pamela Redd, Lorraine Hardin, Cathy Hutchinson, Marilyn McKay, Sandra Bishop and Jamey Boudreaux.
Taskforce members are currently surveying LMHPCO Provider-Members regarding previous experience(s) with VA facilities in their area. Survey results will be used to assist the Taskforce and development of the VAHospice Partnership for VISN16.
Questionnaire for Community Hospices (76k Word Doc)
VA Care Brochure (800k PDF)
Coalitions provide important services and help build hospice awareness LMHPCO is actively involved in the work of these coalitions:
Louisiana Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan
The Louisiana Cancer Control Partnership’s—Action Through Planning (LCCP) is a coalition dedicated to reducing cancer disparities by providing a comprehensive, integrated, and coordinated approach to the continuum of cancer control delivery beginning with prevention, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation, palliation, and survivorship through the end of life.
www.lcltfb.org
Louisiana Pain Initiative
Founded in 2003, the Louisiana Pain Initiative (LPI) is a nonprofit volunteer organization consisting of members from various medical disciplines and other healthcare professionals who are dedicated to providing information regarding pain management.
The Mission of LPI is to improve the quality of life for people in Louisiana experiencing pain. LPI’s goals are to inform people they have the right to effective pain assessment and management; to provide practical information for people with pain; to educate and raise public awareness about pain and pain issues; to educate healthcare professionals regarding pain assessment and management; to develop a pain resource center; and to advocate for people experiencing pain and to affect change in the legislative arena.
www.louisianapain.org
Mississippi Family Caregiver’s Partners
Vision: All caregivers of Mississippi residents will have access to care and resources to meet their caregiving needs
Mission: Raise public awareness about caregivers and their needs, and advocate to state legislators, city and local businesses and industries about funding and resources to meet caregiving needs.
