Hospice Care at NOCH - Colleen Van Puten and Dr. Thomas Alguer attended to present information on hospice services offered through NOCH. About 20% of the general population have Advanced Directives concerning their end of life service, versus about 63% of those in the medical field. If you have an Advanced Directive NOCH will scan it into your hospital record and it will become part of your personal medical history.

 

Hospice care began in England in the 1960's, and is offered locally at the patient's home and at Heartwood in Ferrysburg.

 

People in hospice care, for the most part, want honesty and openness in regards to their care and health. Colleen recommends the new book, Being Mortal: Medicine and What Happens at the End, for an honest and open discussion of end of life.

 

Hospice takes care of all aspects of a patients end of life journey. Hospice care begins when a patient's diagnosis indicates they have 6 months or less to live. Care is given not just to the patient but also for the surviving family members. There are a wide variety of patients treated by hospice - cancer, alzheimer's, heart disease, lung disorders, etc. Palliative Care physicians coordinate care for patients in hospice.

 

ArtWalk - Barbara Carlson, Executive Director of Grand Haven ArtWalk, presented an overview of this year's ArtWalk event throughout downtown GH. ArtWalk runs concurrent with ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Sept. 23 through Oct. 11. Many programs are being at Loutit District Library and at the new Armory Art Center in GH. Saturday, Sept 26 begins with the ArtBike Parade down Washington followed by Family Art Day along the waterfront. Saturday, Oct 3 large and small Ship Shapes will be displayed and judged along the first block of Washington.

 

Children's art will be displayed at the Library and a final awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 6. The Adult competition awards will be given out on Thursday, Oct. 8 at the Community Center with a public, final party held at the Armory Art Center.