Faith Leaders

You are busy enough.  Let State of the Heart Hospice serve you and your congregation with free material and training.  We have gained expertise in areas of aging, chronic and critical illness, caregiving resources, philosophy of dignity and comfort care for dying issues, and grief and loss support.

The Virginia-based Duke University’s Institute on Care at the End of Life launched a 2007 survey to faith leaders in the U.S. about end-of-life issues.  Key findings dertermine that, although most faith communities serve older Americans, respndents (pastors, priests and other faith leaders) were somewhat less comfortable helping these members of their congregation understand advanced care planning issues than they were planning their own advanced care directives.  Staff from State of the Heart can introduce topics and assist your congregation in completing their own advanced health care plans.

Another key finding from the Duke survey is that many respondents did not feel fully prepared to support members of the congregations facing chonic or terminal illness, especially that of children.  In addition, caregiving struggles of family members are on the rise in many congregations and also provided challenges for the survey respondents.  State of the Heart Hospice has served Eastern Indiana and Western Ohio for decades and the care teams are highly trained in dealing with issues of terminal illness, caregiving and the grieving journey.

The 2007 Duke survey provided a basis from which the national hospice organization, NHPCO, recommends an active partnership between hospice agencies and local faith communities.  This new Faith Community Outreach is one response to providing a broad resource to the entire community.

May I explain more to your ministerial association or your own congregation?  Please email me today at bhughes@stateoftheheartcare.org or call me at (800) 417-7535.