|
Home What
is it? About
OAB Meetings Visitors Diversions Service
Directory |
Visitors ProgramOne of the most important services of the OAB is our Visitors Program. Talking one-on-one with somebody who has been there, recovered and returned to an active lifestyle is often a very important step in adjusting to a new ostomy or continent procedure. Our goal is to assist in the individual's rehabilitation and adjustment by providing information, empathy, and to act as positive role models. What is an OAB Visit? Specially trained OAB members are available to visit patients both before and after surgery. Upon request, the OAB visitor will contact the person to discuss any areas of concern and to share experiences. No topic is off-limits, with the exception of medical advice! Whenever possible, we will try to match the patient with a visitor who is the same gender and approximately the same age and has had the same procedure and the same original medical problem as the patient. Where will the Visit take place? The visit will be wherever the patient is most comfortable. In the past, most visits occurred in the patient's hospital room a week or so after surgery. However, these days many patients have been discharged from the hospital by the time OAB may receive the Visitor request. Visits can take place in patients' homes either before or after their hospital stay, and Visitors are encouraged to place follow-up phone calls a month or two after the initial visit to see how the patient is progressing. Visits are arranged to suit the schedules of both the patient and the OAB volunteer Visitor. Telephone "visits" also occur, but a face-to-face encounter with someone who has "been there and done that" is often the most powerful medicine available! How do I request a Visitor? Requests can come from any health professional (physician, ET/WOCNurse , social workers, etc.), family members, or directly from you! A simple phone call will get the ball rolling. You can ask your physician, ET/WOCNurse , visiting nurse or family members to contact OAB and arrange for a Visitor by contacting Nina Mintzer at (781) 769-3299, or e-mail. You can also call our office at (508) 270-4656 or (800) 952-7664 ext. 4656. * Until April 6th, Martha Heller will be the contact for the visitor program. You can reach Martha by phone at (617) 332-4625, or email. From April 7th through April 25th Martha will be away. Please contact only Nina during this period. Nina's contact information is above. New for 2003, Make your visitor referrals online using the following links. Visitor Intake Referral (sent via email) Secure Visitor Intake Referral How do I become a Visitor? Visitor Training is offered several times a year and is available to OAB members who have had their surgery for at least one year. Call Martha Heller at (617) 332-4625 or Nina Mintzer at (781) 769-3299 for the future schedule for the Visitor Training Programs. The next visitor training is: Date:
January 22, 2005 You may also register by calling Martha Heller
at (617) 332-4625 or Nina Mintzer
at (781) 769-3299. The
Following visitor training seminar registration can be completed and sent
online. The linked page can also be printed and sent to the address at the
bottom of the link page.
Last updated March 19, 2005 |