2018; Volume 19, No 11, November

Announcements & Resources

Each month, we publish a selection of items that may be of interest to our global readership. Contributions are welcomed; we reserve the right to edit content.

Please also consider promoting your education and training events in the IAHPC Global Directory of Education in Palliative Care. It’s quick and easy — just submit your content online.

Announcements

Abstract Deadline for International Public Health PC Conference

The deadline for abstracts is 25 January 2019 for the 6th Public Health Palliative Care International Conference being held 13-16 October 2019 in New Zealand. The theme of the conference is ‘Compassionate Communities in Action: Reclaiming aging, dying and grieving.’

Abstracts should address one of six themes:

Additional guidelines are available here.

Whey Protein Project in Sri Lanka

The Palliative Care Association of Sri Lanka supplies whey protein to 100% of cancer patients being treated at hospital who are in need of supplemental nutrition, but are unable to afford it. ‘We commenced this project at the beginning of May 2018 and we provide at least 26 to 30 tins of whey protein per month, which costs us around US $400 monthly,’ reports Dr. D.K.D. Mathew, president of the Association. He adds that the expected total for distribution of whey protein for the year is estimated to be 350 to 400 tins.


EOL University Podcasts: Caregiving Tips & Tools, Death Over Dinner

Jane Barton serves as the Caregiving Ambassador for the American Association of Retired Persons, Colorado branch, and has a long history of service as a chaplain, bereavement facilitator and director of education for hospice organizations. In this teleseminar, Caregiving in the 21st Century: Tips & Tools, she shares important information about the coming caregiver shortage and how to navigate as a caregiver for those we love.

Also new this month is a podcast by Death Over Dinner founder Michael Hebb. The organization teaches people how to host a dinner party for the purpose of talking about death because ‘the dinner table is the most forgiving place for difficult conversation.’ On August 24, 2013 Death Over Dinner was launched with over 500 dinners in 20 countries on a single night. Since then there have been more than a 100,000 #deathdinners around the globe.

End-of-Life University posts a new podcast every Monday.


Podcast on Dementia Care

In a Center to Advance Palliative Care 37-minute podcast, Providing Better Care for Dementia Patients and Families, Drs. Diane E. Meier and Mary Mittleman discuss why making a dementia diagnosis is important for successfully managing other health conditions. They also address the many psychosocial interventions that can make a difference for patients, caregivers, and health care teams.

Members have access to a CAPC curriculum, Best Practices in Dementia Care and Caregiver Support, which trains all clinicians to talk with patients, family members, and other caregivers about dementia to reduce suffering, prepare patients, and families, support advance care planning and decision making, and address gaps in care.

Palliative Care Scholarships for New Zealand

BNI New Zealand is now accepting applications for scholarships from health professionals wishing to undertake postgraduate study in 2019. Applications close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, 28 November, 2018.

The scholarships will cover tuition and course fees up to $1,000 for postgraduate study provided by an accredited institution. Applications for larger course fee costs will be judged on a case-by-case basis.

Scholarship applicants must show the relevance of their chosen study to their particular role and ongoing professional development needs within hospice palliative care. They must be either employed by a member hospice or be a member of Hospice New Zealand.

For more information and to download the application form, click here.

Pediatric PC Scholarship to McGill University, Canada

Palliative Care McGill invites applications for a Doctoral Scholarship in Pediatric Palliative Care Research. This competition is open to permanent residents of Canada, Canadian citizens, and international scholars. Applications will be considered as of November 15, 2018 and will be reviewed until the award is granted.

This is a three-year funded position; the stipend is $25,000 per year. Funding is contingent upon acceptance into a doctoral program at McGill University; annual renewal of funding is contingent upon satisfactory academic performance.

The ideal candidate will start a program in September 2019; however, this date is contingent on McGill University deadlines. The David McCutcheon Doctoral Scholar will be matched with a Pediatric Palliative Care Research Scientist from Palliative Care McGill. They will have an opportunity to participate in ongoing research in palliative care, expand their own research interests, and develop new areas of inquiry.

Suitable candidates will hold a Master’s degree or equivalent. The ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team environment is essential. Holders of this Scholarship are required to apply for external fellowships during the tenure of the award.

To apply, or request more information, contact Matthew Young at [email protected]. Submissions must include a curriculum vitae; a half-page description of achievements vis-à-vis pediatric palliative care (where relevant); a one-page description of proposed research area; a half-page description of how the research will ultimately promote excellence in pediatric palliative care; and official university transcripts.

Resources

Workbook for Carers Translated into Sinhala & Tamil

The Institute of Palliative Medicine Calicut in Kerala, India, hosted the launch of its translation into Sinhala and Tamil of the Workbook for Carers, originally produced in English by the Institute of Palliative Medicine and World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Community Participation in Palliative Care and Long Term Care. The launch occurred at a well-attended meeting of the three-year-old Palliative Care Association of Sri Lanka that took place on World Hospice and Palliative Care Day in October. The Association will be making the translations available on its website.


Recipes for When Swallowing is Difficult

Cooks from a palliative care residence in France and cooking school students in Quebec, Canada, have collaborated on a recipe booklet created for the occasion of the PAL2018 Congress held in Montreal in October.

Eating Well. Always. recipes were created and adapted to allow full, flavorful enjoyment even when swallowing might present a problem. The booklet is available as a free download in English and in French.

Suggestions to increase the enjoyment of these recipes include: serve small portions on small plates; aim for an appetizing presentation; and, in order to preserve the appetite, medication should be taken after the meal when possible. ‘But most of all,’ writers of the booklet urge, ‘let’s remember to enjoy the pleasure of eating with family and friends.’

If you are interested in Eating Well. Always., be sure to check out Roger Woodruff’s selection for Book of the Month in this issue, Lobster for Josino: Fabulous food for our final days. Each of its 126 recipes is accompanied by information regarding texture and for which group of patients it would be suitable.

Dates to Note

See the IAHPC Calendar of Events.

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