The Hospice Foundation of America sponsors bereavement teleconferences each spring, broadcast via satellite, hosted by Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care at West Caldwell High School and co-sponsored by area groups. Frank Sesno, CNN special correspondent and a professor of public policy and communication at George Mason University, moderates a panel of noted authorities. Following the teleconference, a local panel addresses the local perspective.

Each year's teleconference encourages an exchange of information and ideas, involving doctors, nurses, ethicists, educators, social workers, bereavement counselors, and the general public. Topics include:

• 2006, "Pain Management: Bridging the Gap between Knowledge and Practice"
• 2007, "Living with Grief®: Before and After the Death"
• 2008, "Living with Grief®: Children and Adolescents"
• 2009, "Living with Grief®: Diversity and End-of-Life Care"
• 2010, "Living with Grief®: Cancer and End-of-Life Care"

Hospice Foundation of America is a non-profit organization which advocates for hospice care through ongoing programs of professional education, public information, and research on issues relating to illness, loss, grief, and bereavement. The HFA presents its program annually, live via satellite, to more than 125,000 people in 2,000 communities each year.

The event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Announcements are placed in local newspapers and on this web site prior to the event each year.

For more information, contact the Bereavement Support Specialist at (828) 754-0101 or bereavementspecialist@caldwellhospice.org