The Kansas LIFE Project—Living Initiatives for End-of-Life Care

Abstract

Background

: Numerous studies continue to demonstrate the needs for improved palliative and end-of-life care.

Objective

: Kansas stakeholders joined together, under the leadership of the Kansas Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (formerly the Association of Kansas Hospices) in 1997, to improve palliative and end-of-life care for Kansans living with advanced chronic and terminal illnesses.

Design

: The Kansas LIFE Project (Living Initiatives for End-of-Life Care) plans and implements strategic initiatives and projects that engage public policy leaders, healthcare professionals and Kansas citizens.

Setting

: Grassroots community coalitions, LIFE Project Caring Communities, have been developed, supported, resourced, and maintained as a core strategic and action tool. for assuring that local and state progress is achieved and meaningful and relevant to Kansas citizens.

Conclusion

: Local community coalitions have the best understanding of citizen needs and are important to include in state-level planning and action in ways that lead to successful, meaningful and relevant outcomes for improved care for citizens living with advanced chronic and terminal illnesses. With adequate support and strong leadership, local coalitions can effectively leverage their presence and "ownership" of communities to drive change among health care professionals, policy leaders, and citizens.