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Heart2Hearts®

"How do I start a conversation about my end-of-life healthcare wishes?" "This is really uncomfortable." "What should I say?" These questions were asked over and over again by patients. As a result, the Heart2Hearts® deck of cards were invented in order to provide 52 conversation starters. You may find that you want to use them to play poker or as a regular deck of cards. Be prepared to have the most meaningful Heart2Hearts® conversation of your life. A few sample cards:

           

"Games" You Can Play with Heart2Hearts®:

Play "Why?"

Shuffle the deck and pick one card. Read your card out loud to your family. Answer the question and explain why you feel this way.

Play "Who, What and Why?"

Shuffle the deck and deal a card to everyone in your family. Ask each family member to identify who should answer the question on the card. Have the reader explain what he/she hopes to learn by asking this question and why this family member was chosen. Have the family member answer the question.

Play "Find My Favorite"

Lay out all the cards on the table face up. Identify which favorite ones you want to answer/discuss prior to interacting with your family. Practice saying them to yourself before sitting down with your family. When comfortable, read your card to your family member and share your feelings.

Listen to what people are saying about Heart2Hearts®:

"A safe and clever way to promote vital conversations at the end of life. Heart2Hearts® is an incredibly effective way to jump-start 'the difficult conversation.'"
 - Doug Cluxton, MA, LPC, VP of Education at Ohio Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

"My four adult sons brought out the Heart2Hearts® cards to play blackjack as they sat around for family time at the kitchen table. As the game began, one of the boys said, 'Mom, if you get an infection should we kill you?...Wait, WHAT? Mom, what are these things?' That's when it got interesting. I explained the purpose of the cards and they began to read the questions. Although the conversation started in jest, it quickly turned as difficult subjects were introduced and feelings and opinions were voiced. Thank you for this great solution, I wish I had been able to have the frank discussions with my parents before we were 'living' the issues."
 - Bev Waters Shankman, Executive Director at Healthy Ohio Cities

"Getting people to talk about their end of life wishes with their family can be one of the most difficult tasks I face as a Hospice Social Worker. But, the Heart2Hearts® card game has proven to be an excellent catalyst in initiating conversations between patients and family members. As a result, family members feel more comfortable discussing their loved-one's wishes, and patients tend to be more candid. I am so glad to have Heart2Hearts® in my tool box for working with patients and families."
 - Lisa Haberbusch, MSW, LISW-S Director of Support Services, Hospice of North Central Ohio

"Lisa has created a truly original and thought-provoking product…Lisa's 'card' format draws people into an informal, social game where serious scenarios can be discussed less self-consciously. This is the first step…
 - Zeus Yiamouyiannis, PhD. Consultant, 21st Century Learning

"Lisa provides a very entertaining educational experience that was excellent!!! We could apply what we learned immediately. Her Heart2Hearts® cards are a great way to help employees have these important conversations with their loved ones."
 - Heather Stalnaker HR Director at Metaullic Systems

"Lisa has come up with the most brilliant way to help people discuss the delicate issue of advance directives. Heart2Hearts® are a wonderful way to help people broach the subjects they'd rather avoid and have a good time in the process! Every household in America needs these cards! If you don't have them, get them…PRONTO!"
 - Kay Frances, America's Funniest Stress Management Specialist

Cost: $14.99 per deck, plus shipping and tax (Ohio only). Card backs can be customized with your logo and colors in quantities of 500 or more decks.

NAEPC Members Only: Save 10% on orders of individual cards...now only $13.49 per deck!

Heart2Hearts®: The Workbook

"Why Not Start the Conversation Now?" Illness, death and dying are not topics that we like to broach How do we even begin to confront these issues? Heart2Hearts®: The Workbook makes starting the most important conversation of your life easier. By completing this innovative workbook and discussing it with your loved ones, you will give them a priceless gift...peace of mind. They will know your wishes and can follow them if you cannot make healthcare decisions for yourself. In this workbook you will discover how easy it is to: Overcome your fears Discover your feelings regarding your loved ones Improve the communication with those you love Share where you keep important financial and legal documents Determine what is important to your quality of life Ensure that loved ones will follow your wishes

Two sample pages (click for PDF download):

   

Listen to what people are saying about Heart2Hearts®: The Workbook:

"Lisa Newburger has approached an extremely sensitive issue in a way that fosters openness and candid conversation. Her passion for helping and guiding people in making difficult life decisions is woven throughout this much needed book."
- Dennis F. Schwartz, First VP-Investments at The WealthCare Group of Raymond James and Associates, Inc.

"The Heart2Hearts® cards and accompanying materials bring a much needed and welcome opportunity to address difficult moments in coping with serious and significant illness. It is rare to find a tool so provocative, sensitive and relevant to the issues surrounding end-of-life care. Vital and inspirational, this program is clearly a must-have that every medical practice will embrace."
- Kenneth S. Harris, Practice Administrator at Guthrie Clinic, Ithaca, NY

"This workbook empowers patients to determine the care they want at the end of their lives. It is an excellent tool to improve communication with both family members and healthcare professionals."
- Renee Mallett, JD, MSN, MBA, RN, Director of Patient Safety at The Ohio State University Medical Center

"Working with patients and their families in ICUs for more than 20 years, I have seen how communication is definitely the key. It is hard when no one knows who should be the decision maker. When these specific topics have been discussed in advance, it is so much easier for everyone. I like this workbook because it makes some very difficult topics easier to approach. Lisa asks the tough questions and helps guide the person through to the answers. With these issues dealt with, everyone’s energy can be spent on how to make the most of whatever time is left with their loved ones."
- Katina Nicolacakis, M.D., Pulmonologist at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

"This workbook is an extremely valuable tool for both clients and their professional advisors. We should all make the time to use it as it will help communicate to your family your healthcare desires."
- Geoffrey E. Webster J.D., Chair, Health Care Group at Chester Willcox & Saxbe, LLP

Cost: $29.99 per workbook, plus shipping and tax (Ohio only).

NAEPC Members Only: Save 10% on orders of individual workbooks...now only $26.99 per deck!

NAEPC Members Only: Save 15% on orders of a bundle of 25 cards and 25 workbooks. Save $168!

Workshops and Presentations

Lisa Newburger's use of humor and acting makes her workshops powerful and thought-provoking. Whether it is clinical work in healthcare or wellness programs in businesses, she has found an effective formula to making serious issues and decision making more comfortable. See complete profile.

Have you met Diana Directive? What a character! She is a 22-year-old woman who got lucky and married her boss. With a twist of events, she ended up in a situation she wasn't counting on. Diana will make you laugh at her style and antics, but you will remember her lesson on who to choose as a power of attorney for healthcare. Go to the Diana Directive Web Page for her bio!