Helpful Links

ALS Association

http://www.alsa.org/
Official website for the ALS Association offering useful information about diagnosis and care of ALS patients, current research, resources and more.

Alzheimer’s Association

http://www.alz.org/
Official website for the Alzheimer’s Association offering useful information about diagnosis and care of Alzheimer’s patients, current research, resources and more.

American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine

http://www.aahpm.org/
Website for the only organization in the United States for physicians dedicated to the advancement of hospice/palliative medicine, its practice, research and education.

American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine

http://www.abhpm.org/
Promotes excellence in the delivery of medical care to all patients with advanced, progressive illness through the development of standards for training and practice in palliative medicine.

American Cancer Society

http://www.cancer.org/
Official website for the American Cancer Society providing information about cancer including diagnosis, support groups, research, resources and more.

Community Health Accreditation Partner

http://www.chapinc.org
CHAP’s mission is to provide leadership in enhancing the health and well being of diverse communities achieved through the development of Standards of Excellence that assure the management of ethical, humane, and competent care in home, community, and public health settings.

End of Life Physician Education Resource Center

http://www.eperc.mcw.edu/
EPERC is a central repository for educational materials and information about end of life (EOL) issues.

Five Wishes

http://www.agingwithdignity.org/5wishes.html
As part of the Aging With Dignity Program, Five Wishes informs your family and loved ones of your intents during the dying process or if you are unable to speak for yourself during a medical situation.

Home Health Compare

http://www.medicare.gov/HHCompare/home.asp
Medicare’s compiled listing of home care providers and their ratings compared to state and national averages. Searches are based on zip code, county, or state preference. In addition, searches can be completed by entering a particular agency’s name.

Hospice Association of America

http://www.nahc.org/HAA/
Washington DC org. offers guidelines and resources for the Hospice industry. With consumer information, education opportunities, and news.

Hospice Care Discussion Group

http://www.nhpco.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3276&openpage=3276
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization hosts a discussion forum on the topics of hospice care and end-of-life issues.

Hospice and Palliative Nurses Assoc.

http://www.hpna.org/
Professional site for nurses specializing in end-of-life care.

Hospice Net

http://www.hospicenet.org/
Indepth site providing information and support to patients and families facing life-threatening illnesses.

Hospice Patients Alliance

http://www.hospicepatients.org
Hospice patient advocacy site offering detailed information on hospice services, medical care, hospice selection, and more.

International Assoc. for Hospice and Palliative Care

http://www.hospicecare.com/
Shares hospice and palliative care information world-wide.

Medicaid Hospice Benefit

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/hospice_pay_sys_fs.pdf
Federal government offers a guideline for Medicaid recipients and details how one is covered for hospice care.

Medicare Hospice Benefit

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/refhospice.asp
Federal government offers a guideline for Medicare recipients and details how one is covered for hospice care.

National Advanced Illness Coordinated Care

http://www.coordinatedcare.net/
NAICC programs provide the practical tools to make this happen, highlighting the relationship between understanding the nature of facing advanced illness and searching for meaning in life.

National Association for Homecare

http://www.nahc.org
NAHC is committed in representing the interests of the home care and hospice community.

National Cancer Institute

http://www.cancer.gov
The National Cancer Institute coordinates the National Cancer Program, which conducts and supports research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from cancer, and the continuing care of cancer patients and the families of cancer patients.

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

http://www.nhpco.org/
NHPCO is the largest nonprofit membership organization representing hospice and palliative care programs and professionals in the United States. The organization is committed to improving end of life care and expanding access to hospice care with the goal of profoundly enhancing quality of life for people dying in America and their loved ones.

NC Department of Health and Human Services

http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/
The NC Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is the largest agency in state government, responsible for ensuring the health, safety and well being of all North Carolinians, providing the human service needs for fragile populations like the mentally ill, deaf, blind and developmentally disabled, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

On Our Own Terms

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/onourownterms/index.html
An indepth, thought provocking site based on the four-part, six-hour PBS mini-series which aired in 2000. Issues include personal care, family response to terminal illness and death, the hospice philosophy and more.

Principles for End-of-Life Care

http://www.milbank.org/endoflife/
Report describing an advance in clinical policy for care at the end of life: the adoption of Core Principles for End-of-Life Care by a substantial number of medical specialty societies.