End-of-Life Care Offered by Brave Heart Volunteers
Brave Heart Volunteers was awarded $7,395 from the Sitka Alaska Permanent Charitable Trust to create a new “End of Life Care Short Course” for people facing the unexpected, imminent loss of a loved one.
The funds allowed BHV to develop an hour-long instructional program for families who are suddenly “thrown into the deep end” and have never assisted someone who is dying, BHV Executive Director Angie DelMoral said in a press release.
‘‘The goal is not to ‘teach them to swim,’ but to ‘throw them a lifeline’ and provide enough resources, encouragement, and confidence to bear such a challenging experience,’’ she said.
While the need for such a course was prompted by pandemic-imposed restrictions that prohibited BHV volunteers from providing in-person care, it has proven to be an effective “next best option,” allowing anyone, anywhere who is suddenly thrust into this difficult position to have support.
To begin, BHV prepared a simple handbook, ‘‘Compassionate Care at the End of Life: Essentials for Caregivers,’’ which contains 18 pages of key information on how to prepare for and recognize the signs of approaching death, comfort care, effective communication, important things to do after a death has occurred, and processing grief and loss.
BHV then created a straightforward summary of the material for delivery during the course for caregivers, via telephone or Zoom. The curriculum includes a 30-minute overview on ‘‘Care for the Caregiver,’’ ‘‘Care for the Care Receiver’’ and ‘‘Preparing for the Final Stage,’’ followed by a 30-minute session for answering questions. Afterward, the handbook is mailed or emailed to the family for more in-depth examination and reinforcement of the information learned during the short course.
BHV also enlisted and trained nine seasoned End of Life Care volunteers to help present the course to caregivers. These EOLC volunteers and BHV staff will also provide ongoing support as needed.
DelMoral said families have already benefited from the short course and most significant is the peace it gives them, the new release said. They feel strengthened and steadied after being equipped with knowledge, and less isolated and afraid while sitting at the bedsides of their dying loved ones.
“Without the short course, I wouldn’t have known what to expect, how to help my mom transition, or how to stay calm when she died,’’ a caregiver stated. ‘‘I would have been panicked trying to figure out what was going on, which would have made it worse for her and everyone around me. Everything shifted after my family attended the short course. We settled down and focused on our common goal to help Mom have the most peaceful death possible. It was valuable to hear the information, then apply it during each stage of her dying. I was better prepared and not as scared as I would have been without it. It was so helpful. I don’t know how people cope without it.”
BHV expressed appreciation to the SAPCT for ‘‘their incredible generosity, which has allowed BHV to fulfill its mission in new ways and provide an additional, invaluable service to Sitkans and their families.’’
For more information about the course, contact BHV at 907-747-4600.
Shelter for All
Donations Sought
The Shelter for All in Sitka fundraising campaign will go through Dec. 31.
To donate or to get more information on the Sitka Homeless Coalition’s plan for building 12 basic housing units at the top of Jarvis Street, go to www.shelthersitka.com or call Kathy at 738-2393.
Armchair Travel
Series Continues
Karen Hegyi will speak about walking the Via Romea Germanica from Padova to Forli in Italy 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16.
The event, part of Sitka Public Library’s Armchair Travels Speaker Series, will be held via Zoom. Participants must register by noon Dec. 16.
For information or to register, contact Margot at 747-4020 or email margot.oconnell@cityofsitka.org.
Tribal Council
Members Sought
Sitka Tribe of Alaska is seeking tribal citizens wanting to fill a two-year term on the STA Tribal Council.
Send a letter of interest, completed certificate of eligibility and background check form to Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Tribal Council Vacancy, 204 Siginaka Way, Suite A, Sitka, AK 99835. Those materials can be submitted via email to lisa.gassman@sitkatribe-nsn.gov or delivered in person to 204 Siginaka Way.
Offices are closed to the public so call907-747-3207 and a staff member will open the door to accept your materials.
Your letter of interest, completed certification of eligibility, and background check form (candidacy
materials) must be received at the STA offices by 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 7, 2021. The
certification of eligibility and background check PDF documents you need to complete will be posted
on the STA webpage at www.sitkatribe.org or you can call 747-3207 to have that emailed to you. The
Council will consider filling that vacancy at their regular meeting scheduled for December 8, 2021 at
6:30 pm. to 456 Katlian Street, Sitka, Alaska 99835, Phone: (907) 747-3207, Fax: (907) 747-4915.
ANB, ANS Set
Joint Meeting
Alaska Native Brotherhood, Camp 1, and Alaska Native Sisterhood, Camp 4, will hold a joint business meeting and potluck 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at the ANB Founders Hall.
The Thanksgiving dinner report, and the upcoming community ANB and ANS Christmas dinner will be discussed, and volunteers will be needed. The public can attend.
All are welcome to join as a member of either organization; dues are set at $12 a year. For information call Peter Karras, president, ANB Camp 1, at (907)738-2434, or Grace Larsen, president, ANS Camp 4, at (907)738-8292.
Sitkans Invited to
‘Share Your Spark’
The Sitka Chamber of Commerce has announced its Share Your Spark Holiday Lights map.
Residents can win prizes and help spread holiday cheer by decorating their businesses, homes, apartments and boats.
Go to sitkachamber.com for the link to register to participate, and to view the map. Deadline to be added to the map is Dec. 19.
‘Sitka Nutcracker’
To be Presented
‘‘Sitka Nutcracker and the Animal Kingdom’’ will be presented 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Sitka Performing Arts Center.
The show is suitable for all ages. Tickets for the show are available at fineartscamp.org, under the ‘‘shows’’ tab, for $15. Those 5 and younger will be admitted free. Masks are required for the audience members.
