Kyros Video Memory Project

Kyros – Greek term meaning, “In the fullness of time”.

Video memories families can cherish for a lifetime and beyond ... that’s our goal. One of our new programs, a hospice video project, will be the tool to help us reach such a goal. An energetic hospice volunteer first brought the idea of a full scale video project to our attention. We jumped at the chance to develop a program that has so many benefits for patients and families. An anonymous donor initially volunteered to cover the equipment costs for the program. While researching the appropriate equipment, developing volunteer materials and planning for the program,  hospice advocate Walt Moody offered to cover additional program expenses. The program was blossoming before our eyes!

Three volunteers (two are youth volunteers) are in the process of being trained to create these videos with families. They will work in conjunction with the family and hospice team members to develop a video  the hospice patient would like to share with his or her family. Hospice staff members have also considered the benefit to the community at large. Some patients may have had pivotal roles in the creation of the communities we live in today. These life histories may be available for public knowledge as well, if the patient and family so chooses.

The program will be introduced to families through a flyer in their admission folders and/or through direct discussions with staff members. The “focus” of the video will be clarified through a social work visit and communicated to Craig Summers, Hospice Music Therapist, who will then work with the volunteer. Suggested video topics may include: My Childhood, My Life, What’s Important to Me, I’m Sorry for…, I’m Proud of You Because…, Things I Can’t Say to You in Person, An Amazing Experience in My Life Was. There is no end to the opportunities this program may present to the patient and families dealing with the end of life.

For more information on the hospice video project or to volunteer your time, e call Craig Summers at 452-8292.

Ongoing Concerns:

An initial supply of equipment has been ordered that will need to eventually be restocked including: mini DV video cassettes, DVD-R Digital Movie Discs, CD/DVD labels, DVD Case Inserts, VHS tapes, VHS tape cases. We expect that families will likely make donations back to the program to offset these ongoing costs. We also plan to cover this program in our newsletter and other public information venues which will likely result in donations. We feel this program will be a great public awareness campaign, as well as a tremendous public relations tool — focusing on the reasons hospice is a “different” kind of end of life care!
Editing that may be required will initially take some time. Craig Summers has volunteered to utilize his own computer for the project. He is willing to do some of the editing on volunteer time if needed when his caseload is high. We hope once the program is up and running, we can advertise for volunteers who can assist with the editing or take it over completely.

Screening of videos for inappropriate messages would be necessary. We do not want someone to use the video program as a means of vengeance or retribution.

Benefits:

Benefits are present in all areas — for the patients, families, staff morale, financial stability and growth of hospice. The equipment can also be used in marketing for the agency, which can reach new venues in less intrusive, but possibly more effective, ways.