The Falk Gallery of Art at Christopher Newport University and Hospice of

Riverside Hospital are sponsoring a Juried Exhibition entitled..."Dying with

Dignity: From Despair to Hope."

WHAT IS HOSPICE?  Hospice is an end-of-life approach to care that is available to persons (and their caregivers) facing an illness which is expected to result in death within six months. The most common concerns voiced by these families center on 1) Will my final wishes be respected? 2) Will we be supported along this unfamiliar path? 3) Will my pain needs (i.e., physical, emotional, spiritual) be addressed? Hospice becomes the compassionate, professional response to these fears and issues. Though curative measures are no longer the goal, ‘healing and hope’ continue as fundamental objectives for both the family and hospice team. The energy and time that might otherwise be drained by futile and aggressive attempts to preserve one’s physical existence, are now available to be re-invested in their values and wishes regarding how to live the last chapter of life. Attention can be given to meaningful life-messages such as: “I love you”, “Thank you”, “I forgive you”, “Will you forgive me”, and “Good­bye”. Along with effective comfort measures, companionship by a caring hospice team of compassionate professionals is available which includes a Medical Director, Nurse, Certified Nurses Aide, Chaplain, Social Worker, Bereavement Counselor, and Volunteer Coordinator