How did California hospices respond during the crisis?
A. I was pleased and proud to see how many hospices shifted into “disaster-planning mode.” After the Cedar Ridge fire three years ago hospices in California recognized the importance of developing disaster response plans. CHAPCA has offered conference programs on disaster planning to assist hospices in this process. And luckily for the patients and families, all of the programs that I spoke to during the fire had their own set of plans, which they were able to implement quickly and successfully. I would strongly encourage all hospice programs to develop a disaster response plan, if they have not already done so. No matter where you live, an event could occur that would require immediate action, and both your staff and the families you serve will benefit greatly. Q. In your 14 years with CHAPCA, what are some of the changes that you have seen in the field of hospice care? A. One of the most notable changes has been in the rapid growth of hospice providers. While I think this growth pres
