Healthy Boundaries and Healing Hearts

Health care boundaries are the limits within which health care services are to be delivered. Health care boundaries are important for the protection of both the patient and the health care provider.  Maintaining healthy boundaries can be difficult when faced with the challenge of end-of-life care.  Health care providers and volunteers need to demonstrate a healthy balance between care and compassion without becoming overly involved in their patient’s lives. 

This course is designed to assist the learner in understanding boundaries in health care, identify boundary issues and methods to avoid or address those issues. 

Overview of Hospice: Care Beyond Cure

A team of professionals, para-professionals, and volunteers comprise the unique team of support available to the hospice patient and their families. It is important for all team members to have a clear understanding of hospice care. This course is an entry-level module for those interested in learning more about hospice, defining the roles of the team members, and understanding the services available to the hospice patient and family.

What Do I Say? Facing Challenges in Communication

Communication can dispel myths and fears as well as increase knowledge and trust.  Paraprofessionals as well as professionals are often concerned about “what to say” and “what not to say” in the face of a terminal illness.  This course is designed to provide information and tools to enhance communication methods for working with the patient and family at the end of life.

What to Expect: Physical and Emotional Symptoms of Dying

Dying is much more than a medical “event”.  It is a time of many emotions, grief, joy, anger, reconciliation, forgiveness, and transformation for all involved.  Fear of the unknown for the patient and families is only natural.  One of the fears for the para-professional and volunteer may be the bodily changes as death approaches.  This course is an entry-level module for those interested in learning more about the physical and emotional changes a human body experiences as death approaches.