Friday, January 31, 2014

Upcoming Seminar on Monday, February 10: “Mourner’s Bill of Rights”

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This seminar has been designed to examine Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s “The Mourner’s Bill of Rights,” including such rights as: “You have the right to feel a multitude of emotions,” “You have the right to talk about your grief,” “You have the right to treasure your memories.” The presenter will provide multiple real-life examples to help participants be able to apply these rights to their own lives. Please feel free to join us for this FREE seminar.

When?—February 10 from 6pm-7:00pm.

Where?--LCCU Conference Room (#140) Louisiana Central Credit Union Building at 824 Elmwood Park Blvd.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Identity Theft Emphasis: Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week Information

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Have You Heard About Tax Identity Theft?

Ready for tax season? If you haven’t heard about tax identity theft, you may not be.

Tax identity theft happens when someone files a phony tax return using your personal information — like your Social Security number — to get a tax refund from the IRS. It also can happen when someone uses your Social Security number to get a job or claims your child as a dependent on a tax return. Tax identity theft is the most common form of identity theft reported to the Federal Trade Commission. The IRS says tax identity theft is a top priority and says it has hired new staff, explored new technologies, and adopted new procedures to fight it.

For these reasons, I am participating in Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week, along with other federal, state, and local officials and law enforcement agencies. Here’s what you can do to lessen the chance you’ll be a victim:

· File your tax return early in the tax season, if you can.

· Use a secure internet connection if you file electronically, or mail your tax return directly from the post office.

· Shred copies of your tax return, drafts, or calculation sheets you no longer need.

· Respond to all mail from the IRS as soon as possible.

· Know the IRS won’t contact you by email, text, or social media. If the IRS needs information, it will contact you by mail.

· Don’t give out your Social Security number (SSN) unless necessary.

· Research a tax preparer thoroughly before you hand over personal information.

· If your SSN has been compromised, contact the IRS ID Theft Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490.

· Check your credit report at least once a year for free at annualcreditreport.com to make sure no other accounts have been opened in your name.

What if you’re a victim? Tax identity theft victims typically find out about the crime when they get a letter from the IRS saying that more than one tax return was filed in the their name, or IRS records show they received wages from an employer they don’t know. If you get a letter like this, don’t panic. Contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490.

More information about tax identity theft is available from the FTC at http://www.ftc.gov/idtheft, the IRS at irs.gov/identitytheft, and from [state/local office].

Monday, January 6, 2014

February 2014 4-Session Support Group

We are offering a 4-Session Support Group for our St. Joseph Hospice family and friends. The sessions will meet the first four Thursdays in August at the St. Joseph Hospice office (Suite 155 of the Louisiana Central Credit Union Building at 824 Elmwood Park Blvd.) from 6:00pm-7:30pm.

The group will discuss different aspects of the grief process, using Dr. William Worden’s Task Model of the Mourning Process as a general framework.

February 6 Accepting the Reality of the Lossclip_image002_thumb

February 13 Working Through the Pain of Grief

February 20 Adjusting to an Environment in Which the Deceased is Missing

February 27 Emotionally Relocating the Deceased and Embracing Life Again

A small evening meal will be provided for each group meeting.

If you would like to register or just have questions, please call Kim at (504) 734-0140 or contact via e-mail at ksmith@stjosephhospice.com orstjosephnober@yahoo.com.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Social Event on Thursday, January 16, 2014: “Haven of Hope” for Adult Children

Haven of Hope Graphic with borderOn Thursday, January 16, 2014, St. Joseph Hospice will host our “Haven of Hope” social event for the adult children of our St. Joseph Hospice patients. You are invited to attend this bi-monthly event, designed specifically to create a connection between the adult children of our St. Joseph Hospice patients. This is a social group, and NOT a support group, although you should feel a sense of support as a result of the social interaction.

For each meeting, we will provide a light meal (i.e., finger sandwiches w/dessert and coffee/tea/water). No registration needed.

For more information, please call Kim at (504) 734-0140 or contact via e-mail at stjosephnober@yahoo.com.

TIME: 6pm-7:30pm

LOCATION:

St. Joseph Hospice & Palliative Care

824 Elmwood Park Blvd. Ste. 155

New Orleans, LA 70123

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Social Events for Wednesday, January 15, 2014

  • Heart2Heart-Connections-Graphic_thum_thumb_thumb“Heart2Heart Connections” for Widows – Wednesday, January 15, 2014, from 10am-11:30am at 824 Elmwood Park Blvd., NOLA, LCCU Conference Room #140
  • Coffee--Handshakes----JPG_thumb2_thumb[3]_thumb“Coffee & Handshakes” for Widowers – Wednesday, January 15, 2014, from 10am-11:30am at 824 Elmwood Park Blvd., Ste 155, NOLA, St. Joseph Bereavement Office