Boquete Health and Hospice

Thank You Doctor Osborne!

Boquete Health and Hospice gives a big THANK YOU to Dr. Newton Osborne.
When Boquete Health and Hospice formed in 2007, we needed a Medical Director in compliance with the guidelines of hospices in the U.S. and the Palliative Care initiative locally.   Dr. Newton Osborne graciously agreed to fill that position and has performed that service since our inception.  Boquete Health and Hospice appreciates all that he has done for us and we thank Newton very, very much for having fulfilled the role as Medical Director when we needed him most. 

BHHF Annual Board Retreat

The Boquete Health and Hospice annual board retreat was held in April to discuss the goals and mission of our organization. The Mission Statement was updated.

 Our Mission
Since 2007, Boquete Health & Hospice  Foundation (BHHF) has provided free, caring assistance to people with temporary illness or at the end of life.  Our Mission is to inform and promote community health; and, to support people with health and wellness needs by providing information, equipment and services.

2018 Goals

The goals for the coming year include increasing participants in the Blood Donor Program; continue our outreach to the community for better name recognition and utilization of services; provide continuing education on health related topics at our monthly meetings and presentations like Being Prepared: and provide local medical services information to the community through the Health Fair.





Being Prepared

 


May 22, at BCP 10:30

Being Prepared by BHHF

Part 1: Getting Started/Restarted

How many of your friends know how to contact your loved ones back home in an emergency? 

Who would you call for help here in an emergency? 

Do you know medical or end of life decisions cannot be made by a spouse, friend or partner without proper documents?

Come to BHHF’s Being Prepared presentation, Getting Started/Restarted, and find out how to be prepared here in Boquete. We will go through these forms to help you get organized. *
1. Buddy Connection
2.  When Someone Dies at Home in Boquete
3.  Final Arrangements Check List
4.  Information Needed On a Panamanian Death Certificate
5.  Important Information Notebook

*A packet of these forms will be available at all presentation for a small donation. Also included in this packet is information on the Five Wishes document to help you create your Living Will.

May 29 at BCP at 10:30

Being Prepared by BHHF

Part 2: The Living Will and Last Will 

Do you need an attorney to develop your living will? Is your last will from your homeland valid in Panama?
Juan Contreras, a Boquete attorney, will address Panamanian Living Wills and Last Wills. There will also be time for questions.

Part 3: Workshop (TBD)

Part of the Being Prepared process is creating a living will. If you need help in creating/developing a living will and have questions, attend our workshop (date and locations to be determined). Facilitators will be medical and counseling professionals to help answer your questions. 

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES, SKILLS and KNOWLEDGE at OUR MONTHLY MEETINGS.

SAVE THESE DATES!

April 12 -  May 10 -  June 14 -  July 12 -  August 9 -  September 13
October 11 -  November 8 -  December 13

1:00 at the Amigos de Animales building in Alto Boquete
To suggest topics & speakers write:
Laurie Collier -  klcollier5@gmail.com or
Linda Sanchez - boquete720@gmail.com

April Health Tip 



      

Book Corner  

The April book selection is Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande. The following is a review by one of our members:

This book has become a must read. It addresses end-of-life care, and how we are getting it wrong, both within the medical establishment and in our families.

Dr. Gawande’s book is a good read because it is a personal collection of stories. Its protagonists are people approaching the end of life, hoping always to lengthen their time, learning the inevitability of life’s end. Their stories are interspersed with the story of Gawande, the doctor learning more than he has been taught in medical school, how to talk to patients, especially at those times when medicine and surgery, “cures”, are no longer effective and may in fact lead to an earlier, more painful death than abandoning vain hope.

It highlights the human needs during the ending stages of life. It’s not just quantity, but quality of life that counts. Gawande gives great advice for how to have the hard discussions and what the right questions are so that we can make the best decisions for ourselves and our loved ones. What really matters most to the individual? What makes life worth living? What trade-offs are you willing to make?

A very good book! It will start some important discussions for sure.       
          
6,984 FIVE Star ratings can’t be wrong.
 

Please take 1 minute to view our descriptive video.  Click on the link:

https://youtu.be/EbYmYqBRs3Y

We have entered our video in the Video Festival. The festival has been postponed. Between June 1-14 go to the YouTube link and click on the thumbs up to vote for our video. You can only vote once. We will appreciate your votes!!




                        
 

To Make a Donation:
 
BHHF functions with the donations provided by the community. If you are interested in supporting the work we do, please make a donation. To make a financial contribution by check or cash contact Laurie Collier, our treasurer, at lojocollier@yahoo.com  to arrange a place and time to pick up your donation. 


For more information, visit our website:
www.boquetehealth.org

We also have a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/boqueteheartshandsandhelp/?ref=bookmarks
Please Like our page and Share the contents with your friends and families.

To Contact Us
Hospice/Health: 507.6781.9250
Blood Donor Program: 507.6590.2000
E-mail: boquetehospice@gmail.com
E-mail: boquetehealth@gmail.com
 
Confidentiality 
 
All patient information shared with any Boquete Health and Hospice volunteer is kept in the strictest confidence. 
 

Copyright © 2017 , All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
boquetehealth@gmail.com

 

 

The Vision and Mission Statements for Boquete Health and Hospice

The vision statement for BHHF is:  Supporting a Healthy Community   
Our mission is to inform and promote community health; and, to support people with needs by providing information, equipment, and services.

As part of the mission to support a healthy community BHHF provides community information programs, health related articles in our newsletter and in the media and a presence at community functions like the Tuesday Market and Boquete Jazz and Blues Fest.



Perspectives on Grief 



In speaking with members of our community whose spouses have died, it is clear that the different perspectives on grieving are very personal. Everyone experiences grief differently.

Were you the main caregiver for a long time for a disabled or dying spouse? Did your spouse die sooner than expected in your life together? Did your spouse die suddenly and unexpectedly? In a split second everything in life changes. These different scenarios, and people’s various reactions to the death of a loved one, have to do with the circumstance of the death, the quality of the relationship, as well as with the personality of the one left behind.

As described by Elizabeth Kübler-Ross, the five stages of grief, shock/denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance are part of the framework that makes up our learning to live with the loss. They are tools to help us frame and identify what we may be feeling. However, emotions are malleable, they are not fixed, and they do not usually follow steps 1 to 5 in order.  

Reactions can show up simultaneously. For example anger because of all the things that you now have to take care of, feeling sorry for yourself, not knowing, now, what to do with yourself as your identity has shifted, and feeling guilty for a sense of relief when the passing is a blessing for both the deceased and the caregiver.  Sometimes grieving is unconventional and does not fit into the 5 stages framework at all, such as the feeling of being set free.  

During the grieving process we may experience myriad emotions, such as confusion, sadness, fear, guilt or hopelessness. These feelings will vary in intensity. Emotional ups and downs are a normal part of any grieving process. The paradox may be that in order to get past the difficult feelings, you must experience them.  Grief has its own time schedule and will heal you if you allow it to.

It is important to be kind to yourself, especially in the early stages.  Get a massage, accept invitations from friends, embrace your pets.  Pets can provide great comfort and can help the overwhelming need for touch or hugs.  They even give you somebody to talk to in the middle of the night.

Many people feel isolated and alone after the death of a spouse. After a short time has passed, “others” seem to forget that you are still in unknown territory, or they might not know how to be with you in this new land. It’s important to realize there is help out there, you are not alone, but it’s not always an easy thing to acknowledge or ask for. You don’t have to face this alone. 

Certain areas of one’s life take longer to heal than others. When a painful loss first occurs it is impossible to imagine that anything good could come from it.  There is a richness to grief that is seldom acknowledged. There is the possibility to learn things about yourself you would not have discovered any other way.  You may find strength and resilience you didn’t know you had.  Your capacity for compassion and empathy may deepen.  Over time the memories of good times will exceed the painful ones, and you may be able to appreciate good times more than ever before. 

Written by
Babbie Earle, Judy Sacco, and Carol Cardinale-Santana



Continuing Education Is Here!                

We have a new focus for our monthly general meetings. At every meeting there will be an informational presentation in addition to the usual agenda.  The presentations will include, but not be limited to: speakers, group discussions, mini-workshops and book and article reviews. Everyone is welcome to attend our meetings. We meet the second Thursday of the month every month. Our meetings take place at the Amigos de Animales Event building in Alto Boquete and begin at 1pm.


Book Corner    

The Biblioteca de Boquete has an extensive selection of books related to hospice topics. There are over 70 titles in this book section. Be watching for future postings in the newsletter Book Corner section. We will have book recommendations, book reports and other offerings.

 

Please take 1 minute to view our descriptive video.  Click on the link:

https://youtu.be/EbYmYqBRs3Y

We have entered our video in the Video Festival. The festival has been postponed. Between June 1-14 go to the YouTube link and click on the thumbs up to vote for our video. You can only vote once. We will appreciate your votes!!




                        
 

To Make a Donation:
 
BHHF functions with the donations provided by the community. If you are interested in supporting the work we do, please make a donation. To make a financial contribution by check or cash contact Laurie Collier, our treasurer, at lojocollier@yahoo.com  to arrange a place and time to pick up your donation. 


For more information, visit our website:
www.boquetehealth.org

We also have a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/boqueteheartshandsandhelp/?ref=bookmarks
Please Like our page and Share the contents with your friends and families.

To Contact Us
Hospice/Health: 507.6781.9250
Blood Donor Program: 507.6590.2000
E-mail: boquetehospice@gmail.com
E-mail: boquetehealth@gmail.com
 
Confidentiality 
 
All patient information shared with any Boquete Health and Hospice volunteer is kept in the strictest confidence. 
 

Copyright © 2017 , All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
boquetehealth@gmail.com

 

 

2018 Boquete Health and Hospice Officers 

On February 8, BHHF held the annual election of officers at our volunteer luncheon. The officers for 2018 are David Wulf- President, Laurie Collier- Vice-President, Linda Sanchez-Secretary and Merl Will-Wallace-Treasurer. BHHF accomplished almost all of the 2017 goals that were set last year. In the near future the board will be meeting to develop the 2018 goals.


President:  David Wulf

Vice-President:  Laurie Collier



Treasurer:  Merl Will-Wallace



Secretary:  Linda Sanchez


The History of Boquete Health and Hospice




In 2006 John and Babbie Earle decided to form a hospice organization in the Boquete area. Having been volunteers of two hospices in the U.S. for 30 years, they were firm believers in the concept of death with dignity, and palliative care for the infirm and dying.
In 2007 John and Babbie financed and formed the Boquete Hospice and Health Foundation, with the help of Jerry Hendrick and Mary Feldbrugge. Services were offered to the ex-pat community, given limited Spanish language skills of the volunteers, and the complication of creating a separate Spanish speaking administration.
As founding members they added the concept of health support, realizing that there were many ex-pats in the community that would need help when incapacitated or infirm. They decided that BHHF would provide temporary services such as; driving, shopping, delivering meals and performing basic household chores. BHHF had now developed two missions.
The first goal was to create an operating manual. With help from many people and sources from New England hospice organizations, the manual was written.  Today it is still used (with yearly updates) for trainings and guidance.
Next, trained volunteers were needed. BHHF is very fortunate to have Beverly Stearns as our training officer, a job she has done so well for many years. Many others have contributed to the training, such as; nurses, communication experts, and doctors. As of the last training, there are more than eighty people that have benefitted from this instruction!
Another mission was added when BHHF brought in containers of medical equipment to loan out to members of the community; both ex-pats and Panamanians. Oxygen concentrators, wheel chairs, commodes, hospital beds, and more, are all available to the entire community, free, delivered and cared for by more dedicated volunteers.
BHHF also recognized the need for a list of current blood donors for times of need, since blood banks aren’t common here.  
The palliative care program in Boquete, mandated by the government, is an example of where BHHF hopes to work with the government to renew the vision of death with dignity and minimal suffering.
Many people have worked hard to get BHHF where it is today; the volunteers provide care and compassion at especially difficult times of life.  BHHF volunteers will tell you the rewards they receive from doing this work far exceed the time and effort they put in.
Babbie and John express profound thanks to all the trainers, volunteers, administrators and organizer for their many contributions to create this viable and valuable organization.



Best Wishes to Karen Hill



Karen Hill has been a member of Boquete Health and Hospice for many years. Her contributions to our organization are numerous. She has left the Boquete area to begin a new life in Bend, OR. Karen has contributed in numerous ways to BHHF: past-secretary, past-president, team leader and chair of the mentoring program. But most importantly, Karen is an example to all of us of the kindness it takes when we share our hearts, hands and help.

Karen will be greatly missed by all of us. Her warm smile, thoughtful observations and gentle negotiation skills have helped to form BHHF into the organization it is today. We wish her the best as she begins her new adventure.

Here is a poem for Karen that expresses the feelings of us all:

Karen Hill

Dedicated hearts like Karen Hill’s
Are not so easy to find.
It takes a special person to be
So generous and kind.

To care so much for others
Is a quality all too rare.
Yet Karen gave her time and talents,
For all in need to share.

So thank you for being a BHHF volunteer,
We're privileged to work with you.
We want you to know how appreciated you are,
Not just today, but your whole life through.

We're GROOVING at the Boquete Blues and Jazz Festival!



 

Boquete Health and Hospice will have a booth at the Feria Feb. 23, 24 and 25.  Volunteers will explain our services, and check your blood pressure for free.  "Slide on by" - we're down from the Main Stage on the river side.






A Gift for You!





Boquete Health and Hospice will have a table at the Tuesday Market.  Volunteers will answer any questions you have regarding the services we offer. A nurse will also be there to take your blood pressure.
 
As a thank you for donations of $20 or more, we will be giving away exceptional gift bags. These insulated tote bags have a front pocket, a zippered enclosure and our logo that shows you are a supporter of Boquete Health.
 
We will be at the Tuesday Market every Tuesday until the end of March. Please stop by and see us!  Or email lojocollier@yahoo.com to donate and receive your gift.
 
Watch for our friendly and helpful volunteers at the Tuesday Market!


Please take 1 minute to view our descriptive video.  Click on the link:

https://youtu.be/EbYmYqBRs3Y

We have entered our video in the Video Festival. The festival has been postponed. Between June 1-14 go to the YouTube link and click on the thumbs up to vote for our video. You can only vote once. We will appreciate your votes!!




                        
 

To Make a Donation:
 
BHHF functions with the donations provided by the community. If you are interested in supporting the work we do, please make a donation. To make a financial contribution by check or cash contact Laurie Collier, our treasurer, at lojocollier@yahoo.com  to arrange a place and time to pick up your donation. 


For more information, visit our website:
www.boquetehealth.org

We also have a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/boqueteheartshandsandhelp/?ref=bookmarks
Please Like our page and Share the contents with your friends and families.

To Contact Us
Hospice/Health: 507.6781.9250
Blood Donor Program: 507.6590.2000
E-mail: boquetehospice@gmail.com
E-mail: boquetehealth@gmail.com
 
Confidentiality 
 
All patient information shared with any Boquete Health and Hospice volunteer is kept in the strictest confidence. 
 

Copyright © 2017 , All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
boquetehealth@gmail.com

 

 

Looking Back on 2017
Early in 2017 the BHHF board met to define our vision and mission statement and goals for the year.
Our vision and mission statement is:
To inform and promote community health: and, to support people with needs by providing information, equipment and services.

The goals were developed this year to reflect the expansion of our services to the Boquete and surrounding area. Our goal of providing health information to the community was addressed with a new and informative website, Being Prepared and Preventing Falls presentations, an informational video and the first Health Fair. This educational outreach increased the public awareness of our organization as well as provided vital health information.

Our equipment loan program has grown. We now have an additional storage room for our equipment and now have room to store our 17 oxygen concentrators. At this time about 25% of our equipment is loaned out to Panamanians. We hope to expand our loan program even more to the Panamanian and expat community.
Our home health care and hospice services continue to be an important part of our organization. We have expanded our respiratory support program. Numerous meals were delivered, home visitations made, rides given and home support care provided this past year. We continue to recruit volunteers to maintain our services and twenty-three individuals have signed up so far for the next training to take place in early 2018.
BHHF was successful in expanding our programs and reaching out even more to the community. In return, we have received many generous donations which will enable us to continue growing and improving. Looking forward to 2018 the board will meet and create new goals for the coming year. Many thanks to our volunteers and to the community for supporting us.
 

“A Gift for You!”





 Look for Boquete Health in 2018 at the BCP Tuesday Market.
We have a gift for you!  Donate $20 or more and receive your special
insulated zippered tote bag.  Happy New Year!  Happy Shopping!


Health Tips for the Holidays and Into the New Year!








Please take 1 minute to view our descriptive video.  Click on the link:

https://youtu.be/EbYmYqBRs3Y




                        
 

To Make a Donation:
 
BHHF functions with the donations provided by the community. If you are interested in supporting the work we do, please make a donation. To make a financial contribution by check or cash contact Laurie Collier, our treasurer, at lojocollier@yahoo.com  to arrange a place and time to pick up your donation. 


For more information, visit our website:
www.boquetehealth.org

We also have a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/boqueteheartshandsandhelp/?ref=bookmarks
Please Like our page and Share the contents with your friends and families.

To Contact Us
Hospice/Health: 507.6781.9250
Blood Donor Program: 507.6590.2000
E-mail: boquetehospice@gmail.com
E-mail: boquetehealth@gmail.com
 
Confidentiality 
 
All patient information shared with any Boquete Health and Hospice volunteer is kept in the strictest confidence. 
 

Copyright © 2017 , All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
boquetehealth@gmail.com

 

 

A Message from the Blood Donation Program Coordinator Charlotte Lintz

There is no blood bank for any of the hospitals in Chiriqui. Thus, for everyone, obtaining blood in any emergency situation is difficult.

For almost all situations, the ONLY way to receive blood at any hospital is to ask donors to come and donate for you at the hospital. You cannot purchase blood from the hospitals, but you can pay someone to donate for you at the hospital. This is not always the safest way, since some people can feel compelled by money to withhold information about their medical histories. In emergency situations, the staff at the hospital or the firemen will donate blood, but there is often an expense involved.

For these reasons, Boquete Health and Hospice Foundation maintains a blood donor list for all residents of the Boquete area and provides guidelines for prospective donors. This list is not published or shared in any way.

You can volunteer to donate blood by putting your name on the list of people to be called if someone needs blood of your type at Chiriqui Hospital, Mae Lewis Hospital or the Regional Hospital. Your blood type is on your Panamanian driver’s license. It may be on your U.S. or other license. You can get your blood typed by paying a small fee at any lab. The cost is usually around $5-$10.

The confidential list is maintained by two volunteers. We will find donors for you whether you have volunteered to give blood or not. Giving Blood is not a requirement for receiving blood. Our Spanish is not good so there must be an English speaking contact person.
When you volunteer to donate, some hospitals can take several hours to run the tests.  They will take your phone number & call you back to donate.  We are looking for donors, no matter what your age!  

For more information and the criteria for donating blood, go to our website: http://www.boquetehealth.org   Once you are on the website go to More and then click on Criteria for Donating Blood



How We Help





In late July, an elderly Panamanian woman named Magarita fell and broke her hip. She had hip replacement surgery a few days later. A family friend who is a member of Boquete Health and Hospice helped the family contact BHHF to find out what services would be available to the family. Betty Landis and her bilingual neighbor Yari made a home visit. They assessed the medical equipment needs and determined that Magarita didn’t need a hospital bed but would benefit from having attachable sides fit to the bed to prevent her from falling out of the bed. A walker was also provided to use once she gained her mobility.
Several days later another member from BHHF visited the family. Magarita’s son and daughter both report that this visit was very helpful to all of the family members. Magarita had been sent home from the hospital after her surgery with no instructions to the family how to care for her. The family is grateful for the training they were given to learn how to move their mother, the best method to have her get up and start moving again and how to care for her while she is bedridden.  They expressed warm feelings of appreciation for the services and compassionate treatment they received from the BHHF volunteers

BHHF Health Fair 

Just a few weeks ago, Boquete was buzzing with care and concern for its residents. The Boquete Health Fair on October 22, 2017 was an energetic event promoting health and wellness to all locally.
 
Panamanians were lining up an hour early to get their blood glucose tested. There was rarely an empty seat at any of our eleven vendors’ tables.Many were lucky enough to win certificates for free lab work, doctor visits, dental exams or cleaning, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, and more.
 
Dra. Sue King and Dra. Digna Diaz, Dentist Dra. Luz Barria, Chiriqui Hospital, MINSA, the Policlinica, Revilla pharmacy and Laboratoria Analytek answered questions and educated, provided medical testing, and promoted health and wellness to residents of Boquete.
 
The folks at RodnyDirect and AAC were constantly busy answering medical and security questions. Keep It Simple Panama helped so many trying to navigate the Panamanian medical system. And, our dear friends at Foundation Pro-Integration showed how they help and how you too can help those less fortunate.
 
Yes, we promote health and wellness but Boquete Health and Hospice Foundation was also proud to show how we serve the sick and dying in Boquete. Our hearts, hands, and help are here for you.

The first BHHF Health fair was a success! Thank you to all who helped put on this event; and, thank you to those who came to promote health and wellness in Boquete.
 
For more photos, check out our website: http://www.boquetehealth.org









We Have a New Look on our Website! 
Come see our new improved website. We’ve had a face lift. The website can now be viewed in many languages. Just click on the Google translation at the top. To check out our new website go to: http://www.boquetehealth.org







Please take 1 minute to view our descriptive video.  Click on the link:

https://youtu.be/EbYmYqBRs3Y




                        
 

To Make a Donation:
 
BHHF functions with the donations provided by the community. If you are interested in supporting the work we do, please make a donation. To make a financial contribution by check or cash contact Laurie Collier, our treasurer, at lojocollier@yahoo.com  to arrange a place and time to pick up your donation. 


For more information, visit our website:
www.boquetehealth.org

We also have a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/boqueteheartshandsandhelp/?ref=bookmarks
Please Like our page and Share the contents with your friends and families.

To Contact Us
Hospice/Health: 507.6781.9250
Blood Donor Program: 507.6590.2000
E-mail: boquetehospice@gmail.com
E-mail: boquetehealth@gmail.com
 
Confidentiality 
 
All patient information shared with any Boquete Health and Hospice volunteer is kept in the strictest confidence. 
 

Copyright © 2017 , All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
boquetehealth@gmail.com

 

 

Thank You to our Generous Community from Boquete Health and Hospice’s Treasurer, Laurie Collier

 WHO donates?
We are blessed in receiving charitable donations from grateful people:

• Who have benefited from our services;
• Who have borrowed equipment in their time of need;
• Who have attended our informative “Being Prepared” Presentations;
• Philanthropists who want to support our MISSION to provide free, caring, essential assistance to people with temporary illness or at the end of life;
• And YOU!

WHY we need funds?
Our volunteer organization needs help for:

• Operating Expenses, including our hotline number to our Administrator (507) 6781-9250;
• Storage, maintenance and purchasing of medical equipment for our short term loan program;
• Training and seminars;
• Community events, like the upcoming Boquete Health Fair on Oct. 22 at the Fairgrounds.

HOW to participate?

• Become a valued volunteer;
• Donate no longer needed medical equipment;
• Make a financial contribution by check or cash.  Contact Laurie Collier at lojocollier@yahoo.com

WHAT we do?
Please take 1 minute to view our descriptive video.  Click on the link:

https://youtu.be/EbYmYqBRs3Y

In Gratitude for all assistance received,
Laurie Collier
Treasurer
 

How We Help 




I am deeply impressed with the Boquete Health and Hospice organization, and its volunteers!  I may not be a volunteer, but I sure tell everyone who will listen what wonderful work you do--you do it with purpose and love!
 
I had an occasion about a year ago to contact Betty about a person in our church who was going to have a knee operation--in 4 or 5 days.  She was renting a small bedroom in a home nearby; there was not enough room for a wheelchair after the operation.  Our church Care Team lined up people to make sure she had meals, visitations, and transportation to her doctor, and offered to pick up any medications she would need. 
 
I called the Hospice, not knowing whether or not they would help our church since we had volunteers to help our member.  I was so impressed by the interest in our case and the immediate offer of assistance with a walker for the patient, and a (former) nurse to visit the patient once she returned to home.
 
Everything was set up in just 2-3 days.  The day of the operation we had our pray warriors at the church praying, and we felt good that we had everything ready for when the patient returned home.  The patient called me and said she was not having the operation and wanted to have a second opinion.
 
It was a good trial run for our church's Care Team, and the absolutely incredible response from the Hospice team. 
 
I had occasion to use their crutches for the inevitable sprained ankle.
 
I encourage all readers of this Health and Hospice article to keep it handy--you never know when you or a friend may need their services!
 
Sharon Spalding


Ladies, take your best friend to lunch and a mammogram!  

  

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Anytime in October, you can take your best friend to lunch and a mammogram in David. 
 
Hospital Chiriqui is offering mammograms for $30. Call 774-0128, ext. 1100 to schedule.
 
Hospital Mae Lewis is offering mammograms for $35. Call 775-4616, ask for radiografía.
 
Both facilities provide mammograms if you have breast implants for a slightly higher fee.

                             


  
SAVE THE DATE! October 22^nd  


On October 22nd, 2017, from 11-3, Boquete Health and Hospice will present its first Health Fair at the Salon Arco Iris, Féria de las Flores y Café, promoting personal health and medical services to area residents--Expats, Panamanians and the Indigenous populations. We have invited local doctors, pharmacies, labs, David hospital representatives and the Boquete Social Security Clinic to present information about their various services.

This is a free event. Medical testing for blood pressure and glucose among others, will also be offered at no cost.

A complete hot meal, including a beverage and dessert, will be available at $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children.

Please come and learn about what medical services are available in our town, who the doctors are, and where their offices are located. It could save your life!

We would love to meet you all as well. See you there.


                         
 

To Make a Donation:
 
BHHF functions with the donations provided by the community. If you are interested in supporting the work we do, please make a donation. To make a financial contribution by check or cash contact Laurie Collier, our treasurer, at lojocollier@yahoo.com  to arrange a place and time to pick up your donation. 


For more information, visit our website:
www.boquetehealth.org

We also have a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/boqueteheartshandsandhelp/?ref=bookmarks
Please Like our page and Share the contents with your friends and families.

To Contact Us
Hospice/Health: 507.6781.9250
Blood Donor Program: 507.6590.2000
E-mail: boquetehospice@gmail.com
E-mail: boquetehealth@gmail.com
 
Confidentiality 
 
All patient information shared with any Boquete Health and Hospice volunteer is kept in the strictest confidence. 
 

Copyright © 2017 , All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
boquetehealth@gmail.com

 

 

A Message from Boquete Health and Hospice Administrator Bev Tyler

As Administrator I am the contact person with the community for your immediate health needs.  I carry the Boquete Health and Hospice phone and deal with any issues that come up.  They include needs for equipment or help organizing care for people who are sick or dying.  Often this involves a home visit to determine exactly what type of help is most needed. 
As a registered nurse (foreign) I oversee the care that our teams of volunteers give to make sure that the clients’ needs are being met.  That includes both the person who is sick or dying and also their family and the people close to them.  We have learned over the years what resources are available in the community and help link people with those resources. 
It is a big job but I love it.  I meet interesting people who are so very grateful for what we do.  I get to receive their gratitude when the reality is that we are a group of many volunteers all working hard to make sure that you and your loved ones have as good a quality of life as possible.
 


How We Help

   


IN A SPLIT SECOND, MY LIFE CHANGED   
Beginning a new life in Panama was filled with thoughts of tropical gardens to plant, glorious hikes and many new and exciting places to explore. In a split second, my fun-filled life changed last June when a ladder fell out from under me as I painted my kitchen. The doctors would diagnose me with a broken pelvis in both the front and back. To avoid surgery, I was required to lie on my back for 10 weeks, without putting any weight on my legs, and sitting for no more than 20 minutes at a time, only to eat.
 I have always been a very independent person, and felt so hopeless, having to suddenly depend on the help of others. Family in the States wanted to help, but could not leave their homes and jobs to take care of me, and I could not travel on an airplane to be near them. 
That is when a friend told me about Boquete Health and Hospice. I had not even thought of Hospice, because I was of the assumption it was for patients who were terminally ill. Boquete Health and Hospice  is for many different levels of care. We came up with a plan based on my needs. The volunteers helped with housecleaning, laundry, animal care, meals, etc. They were like angels that came to my house and helped me through those miserable 10 weeks. Without their help, and the help of a couple dear friends, I don´t know how I would have endured that long period of time. 

I am currently in the states with damage to my spine from the same fall, and having spinal fusion surgery in two days. I will have a 12 week recuperation period much the same as before. I have often wished there was a group of volunteers I could contact as I did in Boquete.

Had I been able to remain in Panama, I would have also become a Hospice Volunteer. I can think of no better way to make a difference in the Boquete community, and of helping people in need. By all means, if you are in need, please do not hesitate to call them for assistance. You will be relieved you did so.

Holley Hayes 

The Vision and Mission Statements for Boquete Health and Hospice

The vision statement for BHHF is:  Supporting a Healthy Community    
Our mission is to inform and promote community health and to support people with needs by providing information, equipment, and services.

              


                                   
As part of the mission to support a healthy community BHHF provides community information programs. On June 13, members of BHHF presented a program on falls prevention at the Tuesday Market. Merl Will-Wallace, Betty Landis and Laurie Collier were the speakers for the presentation. The following is a summary of the presentation:
To reduce the risk of falling at home:

1. Remove clutter and walk carefully when there are potential hazards like throw rugs and pets.
2. Use a sturdy stool with hand rails to get something you cannot reach.
3. Do not use towel bars, sink edge, etc. for support because they could come away from the wall.
4. Use a night light in the bedroom and bathroom.
5. Immediately wipe up spills on the floor and use rubber backed bathmats to prevent slipping.
6. Wear sensible shoes (no flip flops, heels, etc.)
7. Stay active to maintain overall strength, endurance, and balance.
8. Know your limitations. If there is a task you cannot easily complete, do not risk a fall by trying it.

 
Information provided by AOTA.


Blood Pressure Monitoring  



Boquete Health and Hospice offers free Blood Pressure monitoring every Tuesday at the BCP Tuesday Market from 8:30 to 11:30 am. Stop by and let our retired professional nurses monitor your BP on a regular basis and try to answer your health questions.
 
Save the Date! 

BHHF will be sponsoring a Health Fair at the Boquete Feria grounds on October 22. The focus will be on traditional medical services needed by expats in the Boquete area. Be watching for more detailed announcements as the date approaches.
 
We are excited to present our new informational 1 minute video: 

https://youtu.be/EbYmYqBRs3Y

 
To Make a Donation:
 
BHHF functions with the donations provided by the community. If you are interested in supporting the work we do, please make a donation. To make a financial contribution by check or cash contact Laurie Collier, our treasurer, at lojocollier@yahoo.com  to arrange a place and time to pick up your donation. 


For more information, visit our website:
www.boquetehealth.org

We also have a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/boqueteheartshandsandhelp/?ref=bookmarks
Please Like our page and Share the contents with your friends and families.

To Contact Us
Hospice/Health: 507.6781.9250
Blood Donor Program: 507.6590.2000
E-mail: boquetehospice@gmail.com
E-mail: boquetehealth@gmail.com
 
Confidentiality 
 
All patient information shared with any Boquete Health and Hospice volunteer is kept in the strictest confidence. 
 

Copyright © 2017 , All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
boquetehealth@gmail.com

 

 

A Word from the President of Boquete Health and Hospice Foundation

With the successful fundraiser last November, the goals set for 2017, we knew that this year was going to be exciting and full of promise. Since February, we have given our website a fresh look, created a Facebook page, expanded our medical equipment for our loan bank and started a monthly newsletter to keep Boquete informed of who we are and what we do. At our May 13^th monthly meeting we showcased our new video about Boquete Health and Hospice.
  
All of the above has been initiated by our enthusiastic corps of volunteers and would not have happened without their selfless dedication to BHHF.
 
David Wulf 
 

Are You Hurt?  Sick?  Need Medical Equipment? 
Equipment May Be Hard to Find -- or Too Expensive!!  
 
BHHF HAS A FREE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LOAN PROGRAM.  
In 2016, we loaned equipment -- wheelchairs, hospital beds, oxygen concentrators, crutches, walkers, bedside commodes, shower chairs, and other items -- to 135 people in the Boquete community. These clients used our equipment for a total of 408 months before returning the items to our storage locker.  26 % of the people who benefited from using these free loans were Panamanians -- we hope to increase their number through the community's awareness of our program.  Our records for April 2017 show good progress in awareness about our free resources:  Currently we have 24 items on loan to 14 Panamanian clients; 17 items are on loan to 14 English-speaking clients.
 
To request equipment, just call our Administrator's phone number -- 6781-9250 or send an e-mail to boquetehospice@gmail.com.  There will be a conversation about your medical need, which can be done in either English or Spanish.  In some cases, a visit to the home may be required to fully understand the medical situation.    BHHF member volunteers will meet you at our storage unit in Alto Dorado to loan out the equipment; in some cases, like hospital beds, we will arrange delivery to the home.  
 
If you, your family or friends are in need of this service at any time, we hope you will call on us. Using the right equipment can bring relief, comfort and shorten the healing time.  
 
 
 
How We Help

 
 

A Current and True Personal Story … What Boquete Health and Hospice Is There to do for YOU….
 
Life ….  When you Are making Plans…. A story I wrote for my Husband
 
     By Erin Ross for her husband, Dave Ross.
 
To My Dave: The Story of Your Stroke (because you say you have no memory of this).
 
Sunday, January, 22, 2017 in our shower, you have a bleed in your brain.
You said you felt dizzy and you lowered yourself to the floor of the shower. (You told me this later... the only thing you remember for about 2 months).
30 minutes later, struggling in 2 feet of water as your towel and body block the shower drain, ice cold water pours down on you.
You are not one to yell for help, so instead you struggle alone to get up and drag your head up from sinking.
You could have drowned.
The doors to the bathroom and closet area are shut.
Your wife hears your rescued pup, Ridley, barking ferociously, ferociously, in your bedroom. She goes to see why, annoyed at the barking… and realizes how much time has passed since you said “I’m going to take a shower”. She calls you… no answer.
She bangs through the door. She wades into the shower pan, and holds a towel under your mouth because you are retching. She tries to lift you up. She thinks you have fallen. She wants to get a neighbor, but you say “No, I just need to get up”. So you are talking. The two of you struggle for too long because your wife thinks you had just fallen, and you were moving your legs and talking.
When your wife finally gets you out of the shower and onto the bathroom floor, she asks “what happened”? You said “I am sitting on the bathroom floor and my right side is very weak”.
The emergency bells ring in her head.  She realizes you did not simply feel “dizzy”.
 
Every Hemorrhagic Stroke is different.
We did not have any idea what was happening at first.
Our neighbors were caring, brilliant and steadfast.
Our Community swept waves of support, food, visits, technical care, therapy care our way.
Medical care was there at Mae Lewis. You spent 8 days in ICU and almost 2 months off and on in their Hospital rooms.
 
You are home now.
In May 2017, you are regaining your strength, and mobility, although your great inquisitive brain and all its talents, are straining towards, and have difficulty regaining, clarity. You also have difficulty visually.
 
Today May 8^th you were able to read a passage from a book aloud with our spiritual group.
Everyone applauded and hugged you.
Your humor, Spanish language and interpersonal skills never disappeared, amazingly.
 
 
Boquete… We are sharing our story for several reasons.
 
ONE ... “life is what happens when you are making plans”, and your life can be very different before you know it. At some point you grasp that and take care of what you need to do next.
 
TWO … Make SURE that Anyone who needs to know … Spouse, Partner, Child, etc. … has the important information re: Banks, Passwords, All things required in Panama, also Instant money/credit cards/insurance to take care of Medical and other Bills. It will save many sleepless nights.
 
THREE …  We cannot ever thank the Boquete Health and Hospice organization enough!!
All Free of Charge …
 
  *** Delivered to our home … a wonderful comfortable hospital bed, a walker, a commode extender, a commode, many paper and pamper supplies.
  ***    Visits day and night from caring supportive Volunteers, both in the Hospital and then at home
  ***    Delicious food deliveries every other day from caring Volunteers
  ***      Calls from the Nurse Administrator
  ***      Assist with some Dr. /Hospital issues
 
Thank You Boquete Neighbors, Friends, and especially Boquete Health and Hospice!!
 
Dave and Erin Ross
Residents of Boquete for 12 wonderful years , with many more to come.
 
 
Save the Date!  


Did you know 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 fall each year? Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries for people 65 and over. BHHF will do a presentation on Falls Prevention at the BCP Tuesday Market meeting on June 13th. Come learn the simple things you can do to prevent falling.

Boquete Health and Hospice has a new website. Be sure to check it out.
www.boquetehealth.org

We also have a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/boqueteheartshandsandhelp/?ref=bookmarks
Please Like our page and Share the contents with your friends and families.

To Contact Us
Hospice/Health: 507.6781.9250
Blood Donor Program: 507.6590.2000
E-mail: boquetehospice@gmail.com
E-mail: boquetehealth@gmail.com
 
Confidentiality 
 
All patient information shared with any Boquete Health and Hospice volunteer is kept in the strictest confidence. 
 

Copyright © 2017 , All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
boquetehealth@gmail.com

 

 

Meet the Board

In February Boquete Health and Hospice Foundation elected a new board.   David Wulf- President, Merl Will-Wallace-Vice-President, Linda Sanchez-Secretary and Laurie Collier-Treasurer. Bev Tyler is the administrator of BHHF. The board held a retreat in March to formulate the goals of the organization for 2017. The goals include plans to create more community awareness of the services provided by BHHF, expand the volunteer base, reach out with services to more people in the Panamanian and expat community and to have a health fair later in the year.


2017 Volunteer Training  


On February 17, 20 and 22, thirteen members of the community
made the choice of taking the Boquete Health and Hospice
Foundation training.
 
The training consists of an overview of all the requirements, information
and skills needed to help our community with health issues. Some of the topics include:
 
Explanation of services, discussion of grief and death and dying
Presentations about comfort care, medications used in Panama
Communication skills that include how a team is put together for a case, caring for the caregiver and final directives.
 
For almost a decade BHHF has been helping the community by providing support for patients and caregivers when there is a serious illness, an injury, after surgery, or if the patient is dying. We also provide a blood donor list and loan durable goods such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, oxygen concentrators, walkers and other medical equipment.
 
It takes a caring heart and dedication to become a volunteer of BHHF. Be watching for the announcements for future volunteer training sessions.
 
New Website
 

Boquete Health and Hospice has a new website. Be sure to check it out.
 
http://www.boquetehealth.org/
 
We also have a Facebook page:
 
https://www.facebook.com/boqueteheartshandsandhelp/


Blood Pressure Monitoring


Boquete Health and Hospice offers free Blood Pressure monitoring every Tuesday at the BCP Market between 9 and noon.

Stop by and let our retired professional nurses monitor your BP on a regular basis and try to answer your health questions.
 
To Contact Us
Hospice/Health: 507.6781.9250
Blood Donor Program: 507.6590.2000
E-mail: boquetehospice@gmail.com
E-mail: boquetehealth@gmail.com
 
Confidentiality 
 
All patient information shared with any Boquete Health and Hospice volunteer is kept in the strictest confidence. 
 

Copyright © 2017 , All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
boquetehealth@gmail.com