PUBLICATIONS

Forming Health Care Leaders: A Guide

Forming Health Care Leaders: A Guide – outlines and explains the themes that are essential for the formation of leaders for the kind of health care that strives to achieve the highest ideals of human dignity and fulfillment. Production of the guide was a joint project of the provincial Catholic health associations, the Network of Public Juridic Person (PJP) Sponsors, and the CHAC.

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A Compendium of the Catholic Health Association of Canada

CHAC's first e-book – a CD-ROM version of the 392-page, limited edition book, A Compendium of the Catholic Health Association of Canada . This resource is also meant to provide a testimony to the mission of Catholic health care in Canada, and the legacy of the values that many religious sisters and lay people practiced in a concrete way on a daily basis.

To know the passion, dedication, faith and sacrifices of those people who have gone before us is to be part of a rich legacy. Belonging to such a heritage, not only guides us, but it also shores up our courage and inspires us to move forward. A great resource for introducing the legacy of Catholic health care to board directors and others interested in the ministry.

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Living With Hope in Times of Illness

A pamphlet that contains ten meditations and reflections that bring comfort in sickness and the many kinds of suffering it brings; suitable for patients, parishioners or anyone who is sick or cares for them.

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Healing the Whole Person
Text in English & French on inverted pages

Health Ethics Guide (2000)

Alliance Participants: $12.50 Non-participants: $18.00

"It is important for all health care professionals and Roman Catholic patients and families to know how difficult issues of medical ethics should be approached from a Catholic faith basis. These guidelines set out this basis in a clear, succinct and readily accessible way" (Margaret Somerville)

This newest and most up-to-date revision of the popular ethics guide presents a handy reference of the fundamental values and principles used in ethical decision-making. It presents a moral vision reflecting Roman Catholic teaching on health ethics as it applies to the complex ethical issues of contemporary society. It covers pertinent aspects pertaining to those receiving care from health and social service organizations and the moral obligations of those who govern and administer such organizations. The publication is relevant for caregivers, personnel and all those interested in sound ethical reflection.

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Standards of Spiritual and Religious Care for Health Services in Canada

New price: $2.50 

The standards are primarily a development and evaluation tool which sets the norms for spiritual and religious care in health services.

These standards are based on the conviction that spiritual and religious care is essential to sustain and restore the health of individuals and communities. The purpose of this document is to guide health care organizations in the maintenance and development of their spiritual and religious care services within the continuum of care. These standards provide a necessary first step toward the goal of giving such care a visible and integral place in the accreditation processes of the Canadian Council for Health Services Accreditation.

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Facing Death, Discovering Life 

"There is much literature on death and dying in our library but nothing quite so suitable for both palliative care patients and their families."

This book explores a paradox - facing death and entering into the anguish and suffering that accompany it can be an experience in discovering life. Death, which we will all live one day, is not an encounter with meaninglessness; it is the fulfillment of life. This book is intended primarily for those who are dying and for those who may face the loss of a loved one. The final section of the book is intended for caregivers (family members, nurses, aides, doctors, pastoral care providers and all those who work closely with those who are dying). Short reflections to inspire and comfort.

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Lift Up Your Hearts to the Lord

Now in its 6th printing - December 2006

"Caregiving and comfort wrapped up in a book"

This popular pocket-sized prayer book contains an inspirational collection of prayers for those who are sick and those who care for them. Filled with reflections, this book will be invaluable to persons providing spiritual guidance in times of illness, acute stress and suffering.

Whether it sits on a table beside your favourite armchair or at the bedside, in your purse or suit pocket, Lift Up Your Hearts provides a compendium of common prayers and valuable reflections.

Disponible en anglais seulement.

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Spirituality and Health

"What's good for the soul can be good for the body too."

This booklet presents a thorough discussion of the relationship between spirituality and health. After reflecting on what is behind the current interest in health, complimentary medicine, it describes spirituality and illustrates the richness of Christian spirituality in particular. In part two, the various elements of a spiritual life are examined in light of their potential impact on health. Building on the latest scientific research, Spirituality & Health argues that the striking connections between spirituality and health are no longer a matter of conjecture but of fact.

This booklet provides compelling evidence showing that spirituality and care for the soul promote health, nurture healing and recovery from illness, and provide an important means for adjusting to chronic illness.

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Prescription for a Healthier Canada

In December 1996, the CHAC's Board of directors identified the preparation of a position paper on Canada's health system as a priority for action in 1997. Through it the Association hopes to contribute to the national debate on the future of Canada's health care system in a way that reflects the Catholic community's strong convictions and broad experience in health care. Prescription for a Healthier Canada identifies those core values that can provide a vision for health in the future, as well as a means to assess new health care efforts and initiatives. This values-base is applied to 12 of the most pressing issues facing efforts to preserve Medicare and to further improve the health and well-being of Canadians.

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Integrating Health & Values: Toward a Shared Vision 

Comes with an 8-page Discussion Guide booklet (while quantities last)

The transformation of Canada's health care system includes changes that are leading to a broader understanding of health. This booklet examines the determinants of health and stresses the importance of Christian values in the pursuit of health. Integrating Health & Values is a discussion paper for everyone interested in considering the future directions of health and health care in Canada, and in understanding the links between health and values.

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Called to Health and Healing: A Discussion Guide

"An ideal ready-made program for parishes!"

Parishes, Christian groups, health care facilities and dioceses will find this insightful guide enormously helpful in their facilitation of small group discussions. Easy-to-follow notes provide the group leader with direction and questions for facilitating productive and rewarding discussions, linking health, healing and the health care ministry to one's personal life and group activities.

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Resource Allocation in the Health Care Sector

Are the limits being imposed to the supply of health services reasonable, affordable, ethical and able to meet the needs of Canadians? This workbook presents a decision-making tool based on eight ethical criteria that will help administrators, members of boards and ethics committees, public-policy makers, providers and users of health care services, to address and understand ethical issues related to resource allocation. The criteria and decision-making model are excellent tools to appraise specific government proposals and are also applicable at the regional, municipal and patient/client levels.

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Faithful to a Mission 

Enjoy a richly detailed retrospective of the history of the Catholic Health Association of Canada. This enlightening publication is broken into seven major periods that relate CHAC's past in the context of the 20th century Canadian history. The book chronicles the journey the CHAC has taken from Mother Virginie Allaire's uniting of Canadian Catholic hospitals in 1939 to the Association of today, still committed to quality health care in the tradition of the Catholic church.

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The Mission to Care for the Sick

The purpose of this booklet is to trace the development of Catholic health care facilities and in particular those in the province of New Brunswick. Part One provides a synopsis of its pre- biblical roots, followed by a scriptural reflection on sickness and suffering in both the Old and New Testaments. The development of Catholic health care facilities in Canada forms the basis of Part Two. Finally, Part Three deals specifically with health care in the province of New Brunswick and the development of Catholic health care facilities therein.

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Governance/Sponsorship Models of Catholic Health Care Organizations

This booklet presents an overview of sponsorship/governance models already adopted throughout Canada with an example of each model and a description of the principal responsibilities. It also notes the opportunities, challenges and things learned for each model.

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Pamphlets

Ideal for Parishes

Information pamphlets to address commonly asked questions about key health care concerns; ideally suited for distribution to health care providers, patients and their families, church groups and parishes.

Euthanasia
In question-and-answer format, this pamphlet defines euthanasia, assisted suicide and the option to forgo treatment. It also addresses the fears people have of suffering and becoming a burden.
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Advance Directives: Planning Ahead for End-of-Life Healthcare Decisions
This informative pamphlet explores the meaning and goals of advance directives. It identifies important considerations to keep in mind when choosing either to prepare or not to prepare an advance directive.
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Palliative Care
A compassionate overview of what palliative care is, when a patient may choose this option and the role of the palliative care team in caring for the terminally ill.
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Making Decisions about CPR
This pamphlet focuses on the appropriate use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Readers are provided information to assist them in making choices about CPR.
Out of Print
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