Palliative Care

Marian Grant believes her fellow baby boomers, all those millions of 40- and 50-somethings preoccupied with staying young, are ready to adopt a new mission. Join the movement to change the way Americans die, she urges. Let's make "dying well" a national priority. Is that asking a lot of a generation that's in major denial about aging? Grant, a 50-year-old nurse practitioner, suggests that boomer power has already transformed the culture of health care. Look, she says, at what's happened to childbirth.

Death and dying are not easy topics to talk about, but discussing them with your doctor is a good idea. That, in brief, is what new Medicare regulations set to go into effect Jan. 1 are saying. The rules allow doctors to get reimbursed for holding voluntary end-of-life discussions with patients during annual checkups. Not so long ago such end of life discussions were pilloried by Republicans and a few Democrats as a precursor to "death panels" — groups supposedly created by the health care reform legislation being considered at the time that would decide whether the elderly or infirm should be able to get needed medical care.

In a Baltimore neighborhood of simple brick houses, where geraniums edge the lawns in cheery bursts of pink and red, an old woman is dying. On a sweltering summer afternoon, she is in bed, frail and frightened, waiting for her doctor to arrive.A white Mazda pulls up, and the doctor, Timothy Keay, emerges carrying a blue nylon satchel, the modern equivalent of the black bag. Keay, an associate professor of family medicine at the University of Maryland, is a rarity in this impersonal, technological era: a doctor who makes house calls.

Suicide advocacy isn't hospice work We take strong exception to the quote from the attorney representing two members of the Final Exit Network cited at the end of The Baltimore Sun's article "2 in aided-suicide case won't fight extradition" (Feb. 28). Attorney Michael Kaminkow's comparison of the work of his clients to that of a hospice is appallingly misleading. Hospice affirms life in all that it does. We do not hasten death, nor do we advocate for those who do. The 30 provider members of the Hospice and Palliative Care Network of Maryland, which serve more than 15,000 patients and families annually, are dedicated to providing compassionate care and skill in alleviating pain and supporting patients and families at a most important time.

On May 26, 2004, HARRISON, devoted father of Jean Mann. He is also survived by his son-in-law John Mann, two grandchildren Stewart and Scott Adams, two great-grandchildren, one god daughter Sheila and a host of other relatives and friends. Friends may call at the Zion Baptist Church, 1700 N. Caroline St., on Tuesday from 10 to 11 A.M., followed by funeral services. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions made to U.M.M.S. Foundation for Palliative Care, 295 Greene St., Baltimore, MD 21201.

On February 24, 2005, WILLIAM P. SR.;devoted husband of 50 years to Mary T. Bench; loving father of William P. Bench Jr., Jane Bench, Debra Kunaniec, and Donna Heying; father-in-law of Richard Heying; grandfather of Christopher, Jessie, and Patrick Heying; also survived by three brothers and a sister. Service and interment private. A Memorial Service will be scheduled for a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in his name to Seasons Hospice, Palliative Care of Maryland, 7008 Security Boulevard, Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21244 or The American Cancer Society.

On July 5, 2006, JEFFREY SLOCUM of Hanover; beloved husband of Judy (nee Snyder) Slocum; cherished son of Joan G. and the late William G. Slocum; devoted father of Joseph and Brian; dear brother of Pam Novakovich; son-in-law of Nancy and the late Bruce Snyder; also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to gather at the GARY L. KAUFMAN FUNERAL HOME AT MEADOWRIDGE MEMORIAL PARK, INC., 7250 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD, 21075 (Exit 6 Off Rt 100)

On October 20, 2004 ELMER "BUD" BROWN, beloved husband of Mary E., loving father of Bernard Brown and his wife Patricia, Mary Moser and her husband Bruce and Patricia Mc Cubbin, cherished "Pop" of Gary and Jason. Relatives and friends may call at the family owned AMBROSE FUNERAL HOME, INC. of Lansdowne, 2719 Hammonds Ferry Road on Thursday from 2 to 5 P.M., where a service will be held on Friday at the funeral hour of 12 P.M. Interment to immediately follow at the Maryland Veteran Cemetery at Crownsville.

Pediatrician donates pingpong table to hospitalJanelle Sanford, a Carroll County General Hospital pediatrician since 1991, has donated a pingpong table to the hospital's Behavioral Health Unit for patients to use."Recreational activities provide the opportunity for our patients to have an outlet for physical energy," said Larry Welsh, director of Behavioral Health Services.Patients also get the chance to socialize with other patients and visitors while participating in recreation.Medical director leads Maryland hospice networkDr.

Suicide advocacy isn't hospice work We take strong exception to the quote from the attorney representing two members of the Final Exit Network cited at the end of The Baltimore Sun's article "2 in aided-suicide case won't fight extradition" (Feb. 28). Attorney Michael Kaminkow's comparison of the work of his clients to that of a hospice is appallingly misleading. Hospice affirms life in all that it does. We do not hasten death, nor do we advocate for those who do. The 30 provider members of the Hospice and Palliative Care Network of Maryland, which serve more than 15,000 patients and families annually, are dedicated to providing compassionate care and skill in alleviating pain and supporting patients and families at a most important time.

Marian Grant believes her fellow baby boomers, all those millions of 40- and 50-somethings preoccupied with staying young, are ready to adopt a new mission. Join the movement to change the way Americans die, she urges. Let's make "dying well" a national priority. Is that asking a lot of a generation that's in major denial about aging? Grant, a 50-year-old nurse practitioner, suggests that boomer power has already transformed the culture of health care. Look, she says, at what's happened to childbirth.

On July 5, 2006, JEFFREY SLOCUM of Hanover; beloved husband of Judy (nee Snyder) Slocum; cherished son of Joan G. and the late William G. Slocum; devoted father of Joseph and Brian; dear brother of Pam Novakovich; son-in-law of Nancy and the late Bruce Snyder; also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to gather at the GARY L. KAUFMAN FUNERAL HOME AT MEADOWRIDGE MEMORIAL PARK, INC., 7250 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD, 21075 (Exit 6 Off Rt 100)

Fundraising event to air on cable TV The Arc of Harford County's After d'Arc Celebrity Chef Event will be broadcast on Comcast Channel 21 and Clearview Channel 7 in April. Highlights from this fundraising event, which was held at the Maryland Golf & Country Club, will be shown. More than $100,000 was raised for the Arc's Supported Living Program, which helps people with developmental disabilities to identify and pursue personally valued lives. Broadcast times and dates are: 7 p.m. April 4, 11, 18, 25; and 11:30 a.m. April 7, 14, 21, 28. Seminar planned on end-of-life decisions Harford Community College will present a free program, "Decisions Near the End of Life: Speaking the Unspoken," from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday in Edgewood Hall, Room 132. Dr. Henry Farkas of Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care will discuss the decisions and concerns surrounding end-of-life issues, including planning, medication and comfort.

On February 24, 2005, WILLIAM P. SR.;devoted husband of 50 years to Mary T. Bench; loving father of William P. Bench Jr., Jane Bench, Debra Kunaniec, and Donna Heying; father-in-law of Richard Heying; grandfather of Christopher, Jessie, and Patrick Heying; also survived by three brothers and a sister. Service and interment private. A Memorial Service will be scheduled for a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in his name to Seasons Hospice, Palliative Care of Maryland, 7008 Security Boulevard, Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21244 or The American Cancer Society.

On October 20, 2004 ELMER "BUD" BROWN, beloved husband of Mary E., loving father of Bernard Brown and his wife Patricia, Mary Moser and her husband Bruce and Patricia Mc Cubbin, cherished "Pop" of Gary and Jason. Relatives and friends may call at the family owned AMBROSE FUNERAL HOME, INC. of Lansdowne, 2719 Hammonds Ferry Road on Thursday from 2 to 5 P.M., where a service will be held on Friday at the funeral hour of 12 P.M. Interment to immediately follow at the Maryland Veteran Cemetery at Crownsville.

On May 26, 2004, HARRISON, devoted father of Jean Mann. He is also survived by his son-in-law John Mann, two grandchildren Stewart and Scott Adams, two great-grandchildren, one god daughter Sheila and a host of other relatives and friends. Friends may call at the Zion Baptist Church, 1700 N. Caroline St., on Tuesday from 10 to 11 A.M., followed by funeral services. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions made to U.M.M.S. Foundation for Palliative Care, 29 Greene St., Baltimore, MD 21201.

Fundraising event to air on cable TV The Arc of Harford County's After d'Arc Celebrity Chef Event will be broadcast on Comcast Channel 21 and Clearview Channel 7 in April. Highlights from this fundraising event, which was held at the Maryland Golf & Country Club, will be shown. More than $100,000 was raised for the Arc's Supported Living Program, which helps people with developmental disabilities to identify and pursue personally valued lives. Broadcast times and dates are: 7 p.m. April 4, 11, 18, 25; and 11:30 a.m. April 7, 14, 21, 28. Seminar planned on end-of-life decisions Harford Community College will present a free program, "Decisions Near the End of Life: Speaking the Unspoken," from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday in Edgewood Hall, Room 132. Dr. Henry Farkas of Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care will discuss the decisions and concerns surrounding end-of-life issues, including planning, medication and comfort.

HACKENSACK, N.J. - America's poor and minorities live harder lives, judging by income levels. They also die more painful deaths. African-Americans make up only 8 percent of participants in hospice care, which is aimed at providing comfort to dying patients and their families, while 83 percent are white. Minorities are also less likely in general to receive pain medication, regardless of their incomes or insurance status. One reason is that minorities fear doctors may attempt to make their deaths easier instead of aggressively trying to keep them alive, experts said at a recent conference titled "Palliative Care for the Medically Underserved."