ACS CAN

LAWRENCE – Janelle Williamson, APRN/NP-C, has seen first-hand how patients can react when they are offered palliative care. She is a nurse practitioner in pain and palliative care services at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

“The biggest barrier to patients receiving palliative care is not knowing what it is,” explained Williamson, “I’ve developed a special way of introducing myself so patients won’t immediately think they are dying. I wish more people knew: palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with serious illness. Even providers need a reminder on that.”

Palliative care focuses on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness – whatever the stage of life. It is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, and other specialists who work together with a patient’s other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. Common diagnoses include cancer, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney failure, liver failure or ALS (Lou Gehrig disease).

Williamson provided a list of the top four misconceptions she hears about palliative care, and the responses she gives to set patients and family members at ease.

Myth #1: Palliative care is for patients who are dying.

This is the number one barrier to patients receiving palliative care. People don’t know what it is or think they are being offered hospice care. People who are offered palliative care are often expected to live for a long time with the symptoms of their disease. The more people understand the elements of the care, the more positively they respond. Even in high-tech treatments, people still want their care team to know what their personal goals are for their life and that’s a huge part of palliative care.

Myth #2: Palliative care isn’t covered by my insurance.

This is another common and unfounded fear in most cases, said Williamson. According to the Center to Advance Palliative Care: “Most private insurance plans, as well as Medicare and Medicaid, cover palliative care services in the hospital, in rehabilitation and in skilled nursing or hospice facilities. Medicare and Medicaid don’t use the word ‘palliative’ but the services are the same.”

Myth #3: I have to give up medical treatment to get palliative care.

Palliative care is not hospice care, a valuable discipline in its own right. Currently, patients must be willing to give up curative treatments to receive Medicare coverage for hospice care, which provides support to patients who are expected to live less than six months. Palliative care is designed to work alongside curative treatment, to help a patient cope with a life-changing diagnosis.

Myth #4: I have had enough medical treatment already, and I don’t need more appointments.

Palliative care helps to streamline patient care and reduce the emotional and physical burdens patients face. It reduces the likelihood a patient will need to be admitted to the hospital for emergency care, and improves a patient’s ability to focus on what matters most to them. While it’s possible palliative care may not reduce the patient’s number of appointments, it will certainly make their medical journey less overwhelming.

“Confusion about palliative care is one of the reasons I’m working with American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and others to advance legislation on the topic,” said Williamson. “We are working to educate lawmakers about a bill that would establish an advisory council on palliative care, to make recommendations about how our laws and policies can support this important care. I have the best job ever. I get to help people facing life-changing illness figure out how to keep their life goals at the center of their care. Public education and support for this work will help more Kansans access palliative care.”

About ACS CAN

ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.  ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.acscan.org.

The holidays are in full swing, winter has somewhat set in, although it’s not very cold and let’s keep it that way. Although the days remain shorter, farmers and ranchers are busy planning the new year. Some may be dreaming about a wonderful winter wheat harvest while others are caring for their livestock and others may be preparing for the upcoming fall planting season. All of which, depend on whether we’re blessed with moisture. During this period, it’s healthy to interject a little humor into the daily diet. A chuckle or comic relief is good for the mind and body. With that in mind, here’s my offering for the beginning of the New Year. I’ve yet to meet a farmer or rancher who isn’t continually searching for new, innovative ways to make profits. This week, let’s peek at the opposite end of the spectrum. Here are 10 sure-fire ways to cut your profit margins. Blindly follow seasonal trends or patterns. If the market is going up – do not sell – it may go even higher. If the market is falling – do not sell – it may turn around and rocket back up. Never, under any circumstances, trust U.S. Department of Agriculture crop and livestock reports. From all the information available, these reports are “strictly legit.” But never mind. Discard these reports at all costs. Blame the big grain companies. Everyone knows they manipulate the farmer and make all the profits. Assume prices and costs are related. No place is it written that because you spend thousands of dollars an acre to produce irrigated corn, you are guaranteed a profit on your product. Hold the short crop because less corn, wheat, beans or milo must mean the price of these commodities will increase. In reality, by the time you hear a crop is in short supply, everyone else has heard the same news and the price has already gone up. Follow the majority. If your neighbor sells his corn, it is probably the right time for you to sell yours too. Ignore most conversation in the local coffee shop, the town hall or other meeting places. Figure out your own marketing strategy. Ignore the futures market and basis because everyone knows that a bunch of speculators are rigging the market. Remember, speculators lose money too and provide liquidity for the market. Never sell until you have a crop in the bin. Often, before you harvest a crop is the best time to lock in profits. Take a hard look at future contracting. Always, always shoot for the market high. Smart marketers have abandoned this philosophy for the goal of “shooting for higher.” When all else fails, blame your banker or your wife. You may just want to take a closer look at yourself and your production and marketing strategies. John Schlageck is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas. Born and raised on a diversified farm in northwestern Kansas, his writing reflects a lifetime of experience, knowledge and passion.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

It wasn’t much, but it counts. Hays did have a white Christmas this year.

According to official statistics from the K-State Agricultural Research Center, 0.06 inches of snow fell in Hays Sun., Dec. 24. The cold temperatures kept some of the snow on the ground for Christmas Day. The overnight low was 5 degrees and the high Mon., Dec. 25 was 25 degrees.

The snow was wet, yielding 0.04 inches of precipitation, the first precipitation to fall in December.

To date, Hays has received 28.10 inches of precipitation in 2017. The snow season has yielded 2.1 inches of the white stuff.

Tuesday’s daytime high will be even colder with a forecast of just 11 degrees. Wind chill values will dip as low as -11 degrees.

KDWPT

PRATT – You don’t have to feel guilty about the sweets and treats you indulged in over the holidays, because staff at Kansas State Parks have a fun way for you to get “back on track” with the New Year.

A total of 18 “First Day Hikes” will be hosted around the state Jan. 1 at select Kansas state parks where park staff will be excited and ready to make your start to the New Year a fun and healthy one!

First Day Hike events, most of which are led by a guide, will take you on a scenic route through some of the most wild and unique landscapes the state has to offer. Select hikes may also include educational programs and refreshments, so bring the kids for family fun.

Hikers should wear warm clothing and good trail footwear and bring water, a camera and binoculars. Pets are welcome, but must be leashed at all times. Don’t forget your favorite animal identification guides, too, as you’re sure to spot a neat bird or other wildlife.

To find details on a First Day Hike near you, visit ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Special-Events/First-Day-Hikes.

After you’ve finished your trek, be sure to share your photos with staff and fellow hikers by using the hashtags #FirstDayHikes and #MyKSStatePark.

A state park daily vehicle permit ($5.00) is required to enter select parks.

Editor’s Note: Revisiting an old favorite in a new format. This story originally was published in June 2016.