New NY State Law Empowers Family Members

New York State’s new Family Health Care Decisions Law now allows family members to make health care decisions, including decisions about the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, on behalf of patients who lose their ability to make such decisions and have not prepared advance directives regarding their wishes. Find out more here.

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Palliative Care Expert and Trustee
Kathleen Foley, MD Honored

For her work in the field of cancer pain, the International Association for the Study of Pain has bestowed its John D. Loeser Distinguished Lecture Award to HealthCare Chaplaincy trustee Kathleen Foley, MD, for her work in the field of cancer pain.

The award recognizes work that gives new perspectives to understanding the experiences of pain and that opens the door to future reductions in suffering.

Dr. Foley is an attending neurologist in the Pain and Palliative Care Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. She is professor of neurology, neuroscience, and clinical pharmacology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, and holds the chair of the Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Pain Research.

In August Dr. Foley will speak at the association’s13th World Congress on Pain on “Advancing Pain and Palliative Care Globally: Challenges and Opportunities.”

The Power of Touch

By the Rev. George Handzo, BCC, CSSBB,
Vice President, Pastoral Care Leadership & Practice

In a recent article in The New York Times, Benedict Carey notes: “Momentary touches, they say – whether an exuberant high five, a warm hand on the shoulder, or a creepy touch to the arm – can communicate an even wider range of emotion than gestures or expressions, and sometimes do so more quickly and accurately than words.”

In the field of hospital chaplaincy, we’ve long been aware of the power of touch. A comforting touch on the arm or a reassuring pat on a patient’s hand can significantly increase the level of connection between a chaplain and a patient.

A touch can say “I know what you’re going through.” It can say “You’re going to be alright,” or “I’m here for you.” To the elderly, in nursing homes, caring touch creates a sense of security.

The Times noted that “a sympathetic touch from a doctor leaves people with the impression that the visit lasted twice as long.” The reason? “A warm touch seems to set off the release of oxytocin, a hormone that helps create a sensation of trust, and to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol.”

Touch creates a connection that might be hard to make otherwise. But touch is also something that has to be applied with great care. If done inappropriately, or before the patient has a level of trust in the relationship, it can be offensive and off-putting.

Touch also has a cultural component. Some cultures find it offensive to be touched by anyone but a close friend or a relative.

And of course, touch is also a gender issue. A woman can touch a man or another woman much more easily and with more acceptance than a man can touch a woman.

All in all, when done appropriately and with heart, touch has the power to lift the spirit.

Read the new Spring Edition of The Beacon Bulletin

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