National Institute For Jewish Hospice Certifies VITAS Innovative Hospice Care(R) Of Atlanta

Main Category: Palliative Care / Hospice Care
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 17 Jul 2006 - 14:00 PDT

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Discovering hope is part of the Jewish approach to end of life -- a key learning from VITAS Innovative Hospice Care's recent training and certification with the National Institute for Jewish Hospice (NIJH). NIJH certified VITAS Innovative Hospice Care(R) of Atlanta as a Jewish hospice, thus enabling the program to fully address the needs of all Jewish patients on religious and ethnic observance.

"There are important and meaningful differences when it comes to end-of- life care for individuals of different faiths," said Carolyn Comeaux, team manager of VITAS' Atlanta program. "Although I've learned from colleagues, patients and families about Jewish traditions and customs throughout my career in hospice, the NIJH presentation provided a more formalized, comprehensive education about end-of-life care for people of the Jewish faith and allayed any hesitation." She continued, "Even more significant than this NIJH accreditation is this new opportunity to address unique concerns of our patients, truly connect with them and perform our job better."

The certification class was conducted by NIJH officers Rabbi Maurice Lamm and Rabbi David Lamm, and by Rabbi Barry Kinzbrunner, MD, FACP, VITAS senior vice president and chief medical officer. The day-long event was attended by VITAS' Atlanta, Milwaukee and Chicago program staff.

"VITAS has a long history of serving this ever-changing market, including its diverse Jewish community," stated Larry Robert, chaplain of VITAS' Atlanta program. "We define ourselves by the specific needs of the patients and families we serve. As our program evolves to better serve our communities, the VITAS values remain the same -- to put our patients and families first."

To be accredited by the NIJH, a hospice must undergo in-depth, on-site training of all employees and volunteers, Jewish and non-Jewish. The curriculum addresses the unique concerns of Jews about entering a hospice, their expectations at the end of life, their fears about their families and futures, Jewish religious rituals at death and during the mourning period, practical strategies to ease the suffering and comfort patients and families, and what words to avoid. Discussion includes the specific belief systems, customs, traditions and needs of Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and secular or non-practicing Jews.

Chaplain Robert continued, "Whether you're Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or of any other faith, hope transcends all religions and cultures. This is what makes our job so rewarding, and this is why we serve our communities with compassion, understanding and devotion."

The NIJH offers ongoing education and resources following certification through its consortium. Of the 40 programs formally accredited as Jewish hospice in the United States, 17 are VITAS programs. Patients and families interested in learning more can call 1-800-93-VITAS.

About The National Institute for Jewish Hospice

The National Institute for Jewish Hospice, established in 1985, serves terminally ill Jewish patients and their relatives. The NIJH provides authorized endorsement for Jewish hospices within non-Jewish hospitals and nursing facilities, provides intensive training for medical and other healthcare staffs, and provides continuous consultation with them on problems relating to hospice and the Jewish community. Rabbi Maurice Lamm, President of the National Institute for Jewish Hospice, is professor at Yeshiva University's Rabbinical Seminary, where he holds the Chair in Professional Rabbinics. He is the author of five major books, including The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning. In 2003 Rabbi Lamm published the Jewish Hospice Manual with Rabbi Barry M. Kinzbrunner, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer for VITAS Healthcare Corporation.

About VITAS Innovative Hospice Care(R)

VITAS Innovative Hospice Care(R), a pioneer and leader in the hospice movement since 1978, is the nation's largest provider of end-of-life care. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, VITAS (pronounced VEE-tahs) operates 40 hospice programs in 16 states (Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin). VITAS employs 8,512 professionals who care for terminally ill patients daily, primarily in the patients' homes, but also in the company's 25 inpatient hospice units as well as in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living communities/residential care facilities for the elderly. At the conclusion of the first quarter of 2006, VITAS reported an average daily census of 10,480.

VITAS Innovative Hospice Care(R)

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