I am honored to be interviewing Terry Kaldhusdal and Mike Bernhagen about the new film, Consider the Conversation – A must see for all of us on April 6 at 2PM PST, 4PM CST on www.blogtalkradio.com
March 24, 2011 by Viki Kind
Filed under Kind Ethics Radio
This is a “must-see” documentary about the important conversations in life. I am honored to be interviewing Terry Kaldhusdal and Mike Bernhagen about this remarkable film. April 6 at 2PM PST, 4PM CST on www.blogtalkradio.com
About the movie:
www.ConsidertheConversation.org
Motivated by their personal experiences with loss, two long-time friends – one a hospice educator in rural southern Wisconsin, Mike Bernhagen, and the other a former State Teacher of the Year, Terry Kaldhusdal – decided to join forces in early 2009 to begin a creative journey that has resulted in a film entitled Consider the Conversation: A Documentary on a Taboo Subject.
This project sheds light on the 21st century American struggle with communication and preparation at the end-of-life. It examines multiple perspectives on end-of-life care and includes interviews with patients, family members, doctors, nurses, clergy, social workers, and national experts from around the country. While in production, Mike and Terry donated more than 3,500 hours to the effort which included shooting 70 hours of film and conducting in-depth interviews with 40+ individuals from California, Illinois, Indiana, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont and Wisconsin. 62 “person on the street” interviews were also conducted in New York City in April of 2010.
The bottom line is that Consider the Conversation does not seek to hand down answers. Instead, it provides something far more important – the questions all of us need to contemplate. That being said, the producers have three goals for this film: 1) to change the current American attitude from one that predominantly views end-of-life as a failed medical event to one that sees it as a normal process rich in opportunity for human development, 2) to inspire dialogue between patient and doctor, husband and wife, parent and child, minister and parishioner, and 3) to encourage medical professionals, healthcare organizations and faith leaders to take the lead in counseling others.
Consider the Conversation was released on DVD via Amazon.com on March 1st and will air on several PBS stations later this year.
“With simplicity and grace, Consider the Conversation leads us to confront, on numerous levels, one of the characteristics common to us all: our mortality. This film is a wonderful catalyst for all of us to engage ourselves and our loved ones in this all-important, but oft-neglected, conversation,” said Nathan A. Kottkamp, Chairman of the upcoming National Healthcare Decisions Day.
Terry Kaldhusdal
This is Terry Kaldhusdal’s fifth documentary film. His previous work includes Thinking Like a Historian, for the Wisconsin State Historical Society, and America’s Kings and Queens, The Gilded Age in Middle America, winner of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 2010 Public Programs Award. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has written that Kaldhusdal’s work is “clear and concise” and added that he has a “passion for learning and a talent for communicating.” Columnist Laurel Walker has called his work “A-plus” and stated that he has “a knack for documenting history.”
In 1991, Terry joined his wife as a classroom teacher and moved from Southern California to Wisconsin. He currently teaches fourth grade at Magee Elementary School in Genesee Depot. He and his students have created documentaries that include the history of the Kettle Moraine School District and personal digital stories on everything from responsibility to the three branches of government. In 2009, one of Terry’s students was featured at the AHA Film Festival in Southern Illinois.
Terry has traveled across his state and across the country as a speaker to improve our
educational system. He was honored in 2006 with the Kohl Fellowship Award and in 2007 as the Wisconsin State Teacher of the Year. Terry resides in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin with his wife, Janet, and their three children.
Mike Bernhagen
Mike Bernhagen is well-acquainted with the American medical system. From 1994 to 2003, he worked in business development with one of the Midwest’s largest integrated healthcare delivery systems and multi-specialty group practices. During this decade, his time and energy were spent focusing on things like “physician incentive compensation plans”, “revenue growth”, “patient acquisition”, and “referral relationship development”. Those priorities changed in late 2003, however, when his mother, Rita, passed away from congestive heart failure and vascular dementia. Watching her slow, physical and cognitive decline as well the struggle of his family and her healthcare providers to deal with the process inspired him to join the hospice movement in 2004.
Since that time, Mike has been on the road working as a hospice advocate. Over the course of that journey, his travels have taken him to countless destinations – clinics, churches, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, senior citizen centers, disease specific support groups, and private residences – where he’s talked with literally thousands of people from all walks of life. But, it has been with the dying and their loved ones that his most meaningful and rewarding conversations have taken place. In fact, one of the great lessons he’s learned from terminally ill people is that most are not afraid to die; rather they are afraid of the dying process. Some of the common fears they have are:
•Am I going to suffer?
•Will I be a burden upon my family?
•Will I have to leave my home?
•Will I die alone?
•Will I still get to see my doctor?
•Will I leave unfinished business?
In this documentary film, Mike sees the potential it has to make a difference—both in terms of demystifying the dying experience and encouraging people to begin the conversation about their end-of-life wishes well before the finish line is in sight. Mike currently works as the Director of Community Engagement and Care Partner Relations with Rainbow Hospice Care in Jefferson, Wisconsin. He and his wife, Denise, live in nearby Waukesha along with their two children.
Have a kind and respectful day.
Jessica Brill Ortiz – The Consumer Voice, “Empowered, Effective and Independent Family Councils,” on March 21, 9AM PST/12PM EST
March 10, 2011 by Viki Kind
Filed under Kind Ethics Radio
Join me as I interview, Jessica Brill Ortiz, program director of The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care as we discuss: “Empowered, Effective and Independent Family Councils,” on March 21, 9AM PST, 12PM EST on blogtalkradio.com/kindethics.
The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care was founded in 1975 out of public concern for the quality of care in nursing homes by Elma L. Holder as the National Citizens’ Coalition for Nursing Home Reform (NCCNHR). The Consumer Voice advocates for public policies that support quality care and quality of life in all long-term care settings. The Consumer Voice also advocates for a strong, sufficient direct-care workforce and promotes best practices in delivering quality care. The Consumer Voice represents consumers and advocates who define and achieve quality for people with long-term care needs. They accomplish these efforts through:
Advocating for public policies that support quality of care and life;
Empowering and educating consumers and families;
Training and supporting individuals and groups to advocate for and empower consumers; and
Promoting the critical role of direct-care workers and best practices in quality-care delivery.
Under federal law, family members in a long-term care facility can join together to form a united consumer voice which can communicate concerns to facility administrators and work for resolutions and improvements by forming an independent family council. Family councils can play a crucial role in voicing concerns, requesting improvements, supporting new family members and residents and supporting facility efforts to work for high quality of care and life in the facility. Family councils also have many rights defined under the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act. For example, when a family group exists, the facility must listen to the views and act upon the grievances and recommendations of residents and families concerning proposed policy and operational decisions affecting resident care and life in the facility. The Consumer Voice has resources, information and opportunities for family councils; visit www.theconsumervoice.org to learn more. The Family Council Center contains information, tips and tools such as fact sheets, ways to take action, sample council materials, opportunities and more.
Have a kind and respectful day.
Grey Matters on KKZZ in Ventura, CA will be interviewing Viki Kind on Feb. 25th at 4:30PST
February 21, 2011 by Viki Kind
Filed under Kind Ethics Radio
Grey Matters is a weekly radio show on AM 1400 KKZZ, airing each Friday from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Dedicated to empowering the Sandwich Generation and their parents through the aging process. You don’t have to figure this out alone. Aging is not black and white – grey matters!
This innovative and entertaining show is hosted by Cheri Kurman and Jim Duran. Cheri is an attorney, certified by the California State Bar as a specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Jim is the Executive Director of Cypress Place Senior Living Facilities in Ventura and this year’s recipient of the California Assisted Living Association’s Outstanding Executive Director Award.
Learn more about Cheri and her firm at www.NormanDowler.com, and Cypress Senior Living Centers at http://www.cypressplaceseniorliving.com
Have a kind and respectful day.
Joyce Graff from the Powerful Patient – Advice to Caregivers on BlogTalkRadio – Feb. 17th at 12noon PST
February 14, 2011 by Viki Kind
Filed under Kind Ethics Radio
Joyce Graff host of Powerful Patient – Advice to Caregivers on BlogTalkRadio will be interviewing Viki Kind. http://powerfulpatient.org/
Do you feel helpless in the face of “the system?” This show is to help you learn how to take control and steer your way to health. Hear how others have met these challenges and overcome them. Learn how you can do so too. This program is a forum to share your experiences, ask your questions, and learn how to create and manage your health care team. Make the healthcare system work for you! Powerful Patient won a grant from Chase Community Giving. http://www.tinyurl.com/vhlchase
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Dr. Virginia will be doing part 2 of her interview with Viki, Wed. Feb. 16th 2:30PM PST
February 14, 2011 by Viki Kind
Filed under Kind Ethics Radio
Balanced Living with Dr. Virginia on BlogTalkRadio. Dr. Virginia is a licensed Psychologist with special interests in healthy living, how contemporary living affects our mental health, and anti-aging lifestyles. She has consulted with corporations addressing safety factors and employees’ attitudes to the changing workplace, as well as with individuals in her private practice. She takes a personal approach based on solid Cognitive Psychology skills to engender comfort and trust in her clients. Dr. Virginia’s shows are appropriate for everyone. She encourages you to call in with questions and comments, especially with your ideas about living a balanced lifestyle in this complex world.
Listen live or download later. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/dr.-virginia/
Have a kind and respectful day.
Right at Home Radio – Listen to the show that helps professionals and families caring for their loved ones as they age. Wed. Feb. 16th, 12:30 EST, 9:30AM PST
February 11, 2011 by Viki Kind
Filed under Kind Ethics Radio
Right at Home on BlogTalkRadio: Right at Home patchogue
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/right-at-home-patchogue
Right at Home will be interviewing Viki on Wed. Feb. 16th at 12:30EST, 9:30 AM PST. Listen live or download later. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/right-at-home-patchogue
Discussing issues relating to seniors, caregivers, geriatric care managers, social workers, eldercare specialists, families, and loved ones as they age. Right at home – in home care & Assistance is an organization of caregivers serving all of Suffolk county on Long Island. They provide in home caregivers for seniors and others who need help to remain living in their own homes.
The radio show airs LIVE weekly, every Wednesday at 12:30 with our target audience comprising of Healthcare advocates, Seniors, and Eldercare specialists. Right at Home is a worldwide organization with offices located in Brazil and in the UK, and Corporate offices located in Omaha, Nebraska. Our radio show intends to educate, enlighten and nurture and promote eldercare resources.
Have a kind and respectful day.
Join Marion Smith on KFOK – Aging Successfully radio show for a special Valentine show with Viki Kind. 9AM PST
February 11, 2011 by Viki Kind
Filed under Kind Ethics Radio
Radio Interview with Marion Smith, KFOK- Aging Successfully radio show. They stream our live broadcast onto the internet 24 hours a day. KFOK features nearly 70 hours of live broadcasting per week, brought to you by dozens of broadcasters, plus computer-automated music for your late-night and early-morning listening pleasure.To listen online go to www.kfok.org and click on the green play button. Most listeners will need to go through a configuration process to get the station to play and most XP computers will give you instructions in pop-up windows on how to proceed with the installation of the Live365 internet radio player. If you have trouble go directly to www.live365.com for help in setting up your system to listen to our broadcast.
Have a kind and respectful day.
Interview with Maria Tadd – Live Better, Live Longer – High Tech Devices for Fall Prevention and Detection on Feb. 25, 9AM PST, blogtalkradio.com/kindethics
February 10, 2011 by Viki Kind
Filed under Kind Ethics Radio
Join me as I interview, Maria Tadd, fall prevention expert and author of “Happiness is Growing Old at Home”
Maria Tadd is a freelance medical writer and author. Her writing covers a broad spectrum including promotional materials for the pharmaceutical industry and the professional medical community, articles on spirituality and holistic health, haiku poems, and her book on elder care, Happiness Is Growing Old at Home, which has been endorsed by Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Larry Dossey and Dr. C. Norman Shealy. She has also written book chapters for Life Extension a manufacturer of nutraceuticals highlighting the use of supplements to prevent and treat diseases. As the co-founder and editor of Innerchange magazine, she conducted interviews and wrote book reviews. A graduate of the New England School of Acupuncture and a life-long student of holistic health, homeopathy, meditation and nutrition, she has a unique understanding of how to merge Eastern and Western perspectives. Maria’s knowledge of medications, herbs and supplements helped keep her mother healthy for decades until her death at age 95.
Since the publication of her book, she has been a guest on Fox 50 TV and various radio shows. She also has given talks and has presented webinars. To learn more about healthy aging please visit her web site, www.agingathome.info.
Have a kind and respectful day.
Join me as I interview, Barbara McVicker – “Helping Employees who are Caregiving,” on Feb. 16 at 9AM PST on blogtalkradio.com/kindethics
February 7, 2011 by Viki Kind
Filed under Kind Ethics Radio
Barbara McVicker, eldercare expert, national speaker, and author, knows firsthand the benefits and challenges of being a caregiver. Widely sought after, Barbara’s commentary is frequently featured by local and national media organizations including AARP, CNN, NPR, NBC, the “Wall Street Journal” and “USA Today”.
For 10 years Barbara looked after her aging parents while raising two children and struggling to maintain her career as a high-level development director. She mirrored the typical caregiver in the United States – mid-forties, married and employed. Overwhelmed and feeling isolated, she eventually quit her job to care for her parents full-time. It was this decade-long struggle that inspired her to write her first book, “Stuck in the Middle: Shared Stories and Tips for Caregiving Your Elderly Parents”.
About the Book
McVicker’s book “Stuck in THe Middle: Shared Stories and Tips Caregiving Your Elderly Parents” delivers inspiring narratives from caregivers and health care professionals that brings humor, tears and ultimately, hope. Winner of a Midwest Book Award from the Midwest Independent Publishers Association, professionals often refer caregivers to Stuck in the Middle as a primer. Based on her personal experiences, McVicker interviewed hundreds of caregivers producing a guide filled with essential information. Her work serves as a “support group in a book”, so adult children caregivers do not feel so alone and isolated Barbara McVicker wrote Stuck in the Middle for the more than 75 million people in the United States who are providing care for an aging parent.
For more information on Barbara McVicker, speaking engagements, and Stuck in the Middle, visit BarbaraMcVicker.com or email her at Barbara@BarbaraMcVicker.com. Cleveland Metropolitan Hospital
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Viki will be on the Hearts and Homes radio show on 12/2/10 at 7am PST
November 18, 2010 by Viki Kind
Filed under Kind Ethics Radio
Viki will be interviewed by Christine Miller on the Hearts and Homes radio show on 12/2/10 at 7am PST.
Hearts and Homes for Seniors was born from a love of Seniors and a desire to help them have the best quality of life available. As a Director of Healthcare Services for a large home care company and again as a discharge planner in the hospital, Christine watched as Seniors and their families struggled to make critical life changing decisions with minimal help.
Christine’s Radio Show is a lively discussion exploring issues that impact seniors and their families.
She will discuss timely topics. Expert guests will discuss everything from senior living options, home care options, family caregivers, long distance care giving, veterans benefits to hospice and end of life issues.
Christine chose to use her nursing experience and follow her love and compassion for Seniors. She started Hearts and Homes for Seniors. Her mission is to help Seniors live the fullest, happiest life possible while helping families feel comfortable about the decisions and the choices they are making.
Whether a client chooses to stay in the community or wants to move into a Senior apartment, Christine can guide them in making the decision. Hearts and Homes for Seniors only refers high quality companies and facilities.
Have a kind and respectful day.
