Boquete Health and Hospice June Newsletter

[Boquete Health and Hospice]

View this email in your browser Table of Contents: •  Now  What?.... •  Letter from our President •  BHH  AMAZING Volunteers •  New Blood Donation Center in David •  Importance of getting Printed Being Prepared for Life & Death •  Magic of Music •  Our Mission … Now What?? Boquete has been living under quarantine and curfew for a long time.  Now that things are beginning to open up again, you may ask … Now What? It is vital to remember that with the freedom to move about comes a responsibility to protect yourself and those around you.  The Covid-19 virus still exists, and with the opening of businesses and the increase in travel, the possibility of exposure has increased. Wear your masks, keep distance, wash hands and have sanitizer with you when you go out. Boquete has been very fortunate to only have three cases of the virus.  The citizens have been careful about social distancing, wearing masks and hand-washing.  Now, more than ever, these behaviors need to be continued.  Encourage those who work for you to follow these guidelines.  Remind your friends and family members to be careful and, be a leader, in acting responsibly.  If everyone acts with caution, our freedoms will continue to grow.  Letter from the President Progress is being made.  We are now able to move about the community at will, without time restrictions and with our family members.  Over the past several weeks, Bajo Boquete has seen three cases of the Covid-19 virus and Alto Boquete has had 14 (12 within the same family).  This is truly amazing and is a testament to the ability of people to abide by the rules. BHH is also abiding by the rules.  At the June 3 Council Meeting, the attendees preferred to hold a virtual meeting rather than attempt an in-person meeting.  This was such a wonderful example of responsible thinking and consideration for others.   Boquete Health and Hospice will continue to abide by the current rules.  When allowed, we will return to holding our general meetings at Amigos des Animales, observing social distancing, use of hand sanitizer and face masks.  Three months after all quarantines/curfews end is when we will return to making home visits and holding our community education programs.  Yes, this is an abundance of caution, but our volunteers and community are important and we care about keeping everyone healthy. The Magic of Music The Magic of Music Team is ready, willing and able to provide music and a player to suit anyone’s musical tastes.  If you or someone you know would benefit from this new program, please contact our administrator at 6781-9250. How Boquete Health and Hospice can help NOW BHH is here for you.  With the virus still active and no vaccine available, we are being extra cautious with our volunteers and are asking for our patients’ help and understanding.  The ONLY services we have stopped are the home visits, meetings and trainings.  We are still loaning equipment and acting as intermediaries for those who need blood. Boquete Health and Hospice AMAZING Volunteers There is a “rule” that 80% of the work is done by 20% of the members of an organization.  The volunteers of Boquete Health and Hospice are an exception of this “rule”. While some of our teams have had a “vacation”, other teams have continued to work and serve our community.   The Nurse Administrator, Bev, has been handling all the phone calls and juggling people’s requests for services.   The Equipment Team has been busy providing and picking up equipment from those who need it.  Sela, Judy, Kat, Sally, Mike and Cat have worked to arrange their schedules so they can be at the storage lockers to assist people with the equipment they need.  They have made sure that the equipment they give out is clean and sanitary and that any returned items are cleaned before being put away.   The Respiratory Team has developed a system to make sure that those who need oxygen concentrators or cpap machines receive them.  Merl, Luis, Mike, Barb and Kat have made sure that when equipment is needed, they are at the lockers to instruct the patient or caregiver in how to set it up at home, how to use it and keep it clean, and resolve any potential problems.  They also make sure that the concentrators are clean and sanitary before giving them out.  John has taken on the job of repairing any concentrators that are not working correctly.   The Translation Team has stepped in when the Equipment or Respiratory Teams need assistance.  Luis and Carmen have been so helpful. The Meals Team has been busy lately delivering 20 meals during the month of May.  Thank you Beverly and your wonderful team members. With the end of the quarantine, it is hoped that BHH will be able to ramp up its activities in the community.  Three months after the final block is opened will see the resumption of the CPR Classes under the direction of Linda, and the Healthy Living Series will start up again beginning with a Being Prepared in Boquete for Life and Death.  This will cause our Ambassadors Team to swing into action again.   The next Blood Drive is scheduled for September 12 at the Amigos des Animales building in Alto Boquete so our Blood Donor Team, under the leadership of Marjorie, Laurie and Carmen, is already planning the event. Our Thank You Team, under the leadership of Kay, has been busy with responding to all the donations we have received.  Their names will be listed in the newsletter.  Without our donors, Boquete Health and Hospice could not operate. BHH’s PR and Marketing Team has been wonderful during the health crisis by continuing to get the newsletters out, provide information to the community and complete the video projects that are now on our website.  Chris, Laurie and Trish have worked long and hard to keep the news flowing. Our Music Team is ready, willing and able to provide music and a player to any who request it.  Val and Beverly are just waiting to hear from you (via our Nurse Administrator). Boquete Health and Hospice is so much more than just a group of people.  The volunteers really CARE and WANT to help.  Some have been able to help during the crisis and others are just waiting for the right time to pitch in.  The organization is so blessed and grateful to have such dedicated people. NEW OPTION FOR BLOOD DONORS A new blood donation center opened June 18, 2020 in David - thanks to the David Rotary Club, MINSA, CSS and other generous donors.  It is operated by the Blood Bank facility of Hospital Regional Rafael Hernández, but offers the comfort of a separate clinic.  There is no need to enter the hospital and risk exposure to COVID-19.  Boquete Health and Hospice is proud to support this new clinic through a working relationship and a donation of funds.  You may contact us to arrange a blood donation at this facility.  OR …. for your convenience … DONATE AT OUR BLOOD DRIVE in BOQUETE September 12, 7:00-1:00 Animales Event Center, Alto Boquete WhatsApp 507-6590-2000 or email blood@boquetehealth.org Why You will Want to Buy the Printed Copy of  Being Prepared When the new “Being Prepared in Boquete Guide” first became available, I got my pdf version. I was excited to receive this well prepared and very valuable reference material. Many excuses later I had yet to print the 36 page booklet, let alone begun compiling the necessary information.  Since this was not working for me,I decided to get the nicely printed and organized  booklet for $10 - one for me and one for a friend.  So glad I  did!!  My friend is so extremely appreciative for her copy.  If you have procrastinated as I did, I encourage you to get your copy.  JUST DO IT! Get Your PDF Guide - Donate   Our Mission Our mission is to provide palliative care for the terminally ill in order that they may experience death with dignity and limited pain; to inform and promote community health; and, to support people with health and wellness needs by providing information, equipment and volunteer services.   To Make a Donation  BHHF functions with 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 Merl Will-Wallace,our treasurer,at dharma49@icloud.com to arrange a time and place to pick up your donation. You can also click here to make an online Paypal donation. For more information visit our website: http://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 family and friends.   Confidentiality All patient information shared with any Boquete Health and Hospice volunteer is kept in the strictest confidence. To Contact Us   Hospice/Health:  (507) 6781-9250 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday,  9am to 1pm Saturday and Sunday    Please! Blood Donor Program:  WhatApp (507)-6590-2000 or call (507)-6781-9250 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday,  9am to 1pm Saturday and Sunday, Please. Email:  info@boquetehealth.org   Please Donate Freely send this to anyone, use any part. Our mailing address is: info@boquetehealth.org Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. Thank you

 

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