GO WISH Cards – A wonderful tool to explain what you want if you were seriously ill
Coda Alliance presents the 'Go Wish Game'. It gives you an easy, entertaining way to think and talk about what's important to you if you become seriously ill. The starter game comes with two packs of cards in contrasting colors and instructions for using the cards individually or in pairs. For more information about the game, and to play on-line, visit www.gowish.org. Reach And Teach Says: "A woman at church came up to us and thanked us for having introduced her to Go Wish. She had given her mother a deck of Go Wish cards and had gone through the deck once with ...
Free - Thinking Ahead Workbook and Videos available for those with Developmental Disabilities and other Cognitive Impairments
Good news. The California Coalition for Compassionate Care has created a workbook and set of videos for documenting the wishes of those with developmental delays. (It would also work well for those with other cognitive impairments.) You can get free copies of the workbook sent to you or you can download it directly. It is called "Thinking Ahead." Here is the website: http://www.coalitionccc.org/thinking-ahead.php Thinking Ahead: My Life at the End - Enables people with developmental disabilities to advocate for themselves and stay in control of their lives through the very end. Thinking Ahead: My Life at the End contains words, ...
Drowning but can’t reach for a life vest: families, caregivers, doctors, nurses and many others helping professionals
I had such a sad experience recently. I was speaking to a group of doctors and presenting them some techniques to make their lives easier. (This was at a county hospital which deals with the most underprivileged of our community.) I was surprised by how many of the doctors in the room were so resistant to accepting help. I sensed from their comments how burnt out they were and how hopeless they had become. The system they are working under is so broken that they couldn’t imagine that anything could change or be made better. ...
When you are going the wrong way, turn around.
When we are making the decisions for those in our care, it is important to make sure that the decision is still working. You may find that you made the best medical decision you could and then the plan didn’t work. When this happens, it is important to reconsider the treatment plan. Otherwise, you’re driving down the wrong road: You can keep driving and driving, but you will never get to where you are going. You need to stop, ask for new directions and then start down a new path. You may also need to modify your expectations when things ...
Patience - Lessons Learned - Viki’s Journey
Patience – Lessons Learned - KindEthics.com Newsletter Quote of the Month: The individual is capable of both great compassion and great indifference. He has it within his means to nourish the former and outgrow the latter. Norman Cousins I love when life reminds me of the lessons that I thought I had learned, but then I find out I need a refresher course. This month’s newsletter is about having patience, but not just your average patience, instead good-natured and seeking to understand patience. There are two parts to this story. The second part first: Two weeks ago I had to make about 50 phone ...
The medical decision is just part of life’s equation.
So many people ask me what they should be thinking about when making medical decisions. Whether you are making your own decisions or having to make decisions for others, there is a lot to think about. Your doctor or your loved one's doctor will talk to you about the medical aspects of any health-related decision. But that doesn’t mean that you are limited to thinking only about medicine. It may be important to consider the financial costs associated with the treatment plan, if the patient’s religion should play a role in the decision and whether there are cultural issues that ...
Great new guide for when you leave the hospital
Too often we spend a lot of time thinking about going into the hospital but no time thinking about coming home. The hospital discharge process is when patients are vulnerable to misunderstandings and errors. The patient is feeling sick and not able to listen to the instructions, the loved one may or may not be there, and the nurse rushes through the crucial information. If you can, make sure you have a loved one beside you when the nurse goes over the discharge instructions. If you have questions, ask until you get the answers you need. ...
Book is available now at TheCaregiversPath.com
The Caregiver's Path to Compassionate Decision Making - Making Choices for Those Who Can't is available on TheCaregiversPath.com. You can also pre-order it on bookstore websites and it will be in bookstores on July 1. Have a kind and respectful day.
Kindness Reminder: Cook an old family recipe
People ask me, what can I do to make my loved one's life a little better. Here is this weeks Kindness Reminder. To sign up for more fun and thoughtful ways to say I care and I am thinking about you, go to my website at KindEthics.com and sign up in the box at the top right. When people live in institutions, they don't get to experience the joy of a home cooked meal or the ability to cook the old family recipes anymore. And even those who don't live in a facility, they still aren't cooking like ...
Speaker phone, conference call or webcam your loved one’s doctor appointment.
If you can’t go to the doctor’s appointment with your loved one, whether it is because of work or distance, you can go by speaker phone. Have your loved one take their cell phone or use the doctor’s phone and put it on speaker in the exam room. You can give the doctor more information if your loved one isn’t a good communicator and then listen as the doctor tells you both the treatment plan. You can also use the conference call function to make sure the other family members are included. Communication is essential to ...
Welcome
Welcome to the combined website for KindEthics.com and TheCaregiversPath.com. Although they are distinctly different, they have been interwoven here because they share a common mission: treating each other and ourselves with kindness and respect. Whether it’s empowering caregivers, giving voice to those who need protecting, or resolving conflicts peacefully, Viki helps people find the courage to do the right thing. And with this comes peace of mind. Viki is her name, “Kind.” This website and the KindEthics blog will provide you practical help and solutions for the situations you are facing. Click here for the book, The Caregiver’s Path to Compassionate Decision Making: Making Choices for Those Who Can’t.”
“Viki inspires her audiences with compassion and mesmerizes them with the practical application of her knowledge.”
“Viki is the compassionate and KIND voice of reason for doctors, patients and staff.”
"Viki helped me in my crisis. There was no wait, no down time, and she knew her stuff!"
For Patients & Families
When there is no good answer - Turning a difficult decision into a better quality of life
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting! Every...
Free - Thinking Ahead Workbook and Videos available for those with Developmental Disabilities and other Cognitive Impairments
Good news. The California Coalition for...
When you are going the wrong way, turn around.
When we are making the decisions for those...
Read More Posts From This CategoryFor Healthcare Professionals
I will be interviewing author, Karen Reinhart, on May 9th, 9AM PST
I will be interviewing author Karen Reinhart...
Improving the Medical Experience of the Person struggling with Alzheimer’s or other memory loss
When a person with Alzheimer’s or dementia...
Free - Thinking Ahead Workbook and Videos available for those with Developmental Disabilities and other Cognitive Impairments
Good news. The California Coalition for...
Read More Posts From This CategoryEthics In Action
Alzheimer’s Tennessee, Inc. Presents The 26th Annual Alzheimer’s Disease Symposium June 14-15
Viki will be speaking on June 14th at the Alzheimer’s Tennessee, Inc. The 26th Annual Alzheimer’s Disease Symposium on June 14-15 The Clayton Center, Maryville, TN - near Knoxville Research Symposium - Workshop for healthcare professionals PLUS Strategies for Managing Dementia in Primary Care http://www.alztennessee.org/ Have... [Read more of this review]
Alzheimer’s Educational Conference May 31 & June 1
Join Viki at the Alzheimer’s Community Care Conference on May 31 and June 1 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center To Register: http://www.alzcare.org/ Conference Fees • Conference fees include all sessions, parking, conference materials, breakfast, breaks and lunch for both days. Professionals... [Read more of this review]
Medical Library Association Conference in Seattle - Free Pass to Exhibit Hall
For those of you in the Seattle area, I will be exhibiting at the Medical Library Association conference and they are giving away free passes to the exhibit hall May 19-22. If you would like to attend, just email me at kindethics@gmail.com and I will send you the free pass. When you are there, stop by my booth... [Read more of this review]
Read More Posts From This CategoryAsk Viki
Kindness Reminders Idea from Hayes Rowan - Sewing Bee to Make Pillows for Seniors
I have been sending out Kindness Reminders to many people who want to make sure that they reach out to show their love to a person who lives far away, a senior in a care community, or someone who just needs a little tender, loving care. If you would like to sign up for these reminders, sign up at the top right... [Read more of this review]
Helping People Access Hospice Care
Over and over again, I’ve sat in rooms with 30 doctors, and I’ve asked the question, “How many of you refer patients to hospice? Early or late? Out of the 30 doctors perhaps five will raise their hand And usually the referral is made very close to the patient’s death. This is terrible. Patients and... [Read more of this review]
GO WISH Cards – A wonderful tool to explain what you want if you were seriously ill
Coda Alliance presents the ‘Go Wish Game’. It gives you an easy, entertaining way to think and talk about what’s important to you if you become seriously ill. The starter game comes with two packs of cards in contrasting colors and instructions for using the cards individually or in pairs. For... [Read more of this review]
Read More Posts From This CategoryKind Ethics Radio Show
I will be interviewing author, Karen Reinhart, on May 9th, 9AM PST
I will be interviewing author Karen Reinhart about her book on becoming an instant caregiver on May 9th, 9AM PST on blogtalkradio.com I love Karen’s new book which is a must read if you just became a caregiver or realize you will be a caregiver soon. Or if you find yourself in the hospital over and over... [Read more of this review]
Join me as I interview the Michael Palumbos, ChFC – Family Wealth Advisor, author of “Your Family Legacy – 32 Ways to Preserve Your Family’s ‘Wealth’ for Generations,” on March 5th at 9AM PST, 12PM EST
Join me as I interview the Michael Palumbos, ChFC – Family Wealth Advisor, author of “Your Family Legacy – 32 Ways to Preserve Your Family’s ‘Wealth’ for Generations,” on March 6th at 9AM PST, 12PM EST on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kindethics/2012/03/06/interview-with-michael-palumbos-your-family-legacy Your... [Read more of this review]
Interview with Beth Boynton, RN, MS, “Improving Safety in Hospitals through Better Communication” on Feb. 23, 9AM PST
Join me as I interview, Beth Boynton, RN, MS who is a nurse consultant, national speaker, trainer and author of the book, “Confident Voices: The Nurses’ Guide to Improving Communication & Creating Positive Workplaces” on Feb. 23rd, 9AM PST on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kindethics/2012/02/23/beth-boynton-rn-ms-improving-communication-in-hospitals. In... [Read more of this review]
Read More Posts From This CategoryWelcome!
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