| Leadership Letter
Happy March! May the Ides of March pass you by and leprechauns find a pot of gold under a Boquete rainbow. It is the season of sunshine and gentle winds. However, we still have accidents and illnesses to address here at BHH. Our organization is forever anticipating the needs of our growing community.
We have exciting news for the next few months. We are resuming in-person meetings and trainings with masks being optional except at events where social distancing cannot be achieved, such as the upcoming CPR training.
It was nice to see all of your smiling faces at our general meeting March 8. Dra. Luz, a local dentist, presented great information on "Dealing with Dental Emergencies," based on her 20-year history in Boquete.
April is packed! At the general meeting Dra. Shannon will discuss healthcare services available in the area. Afterwards, a CPR class will be held, and at the end of April we'll be conducting another New Volunteer Training class. You can still attend if you're interested in volunteering, but you'll need to complete the volunteer application at this link as soon as possible.
On May 18 we're offering another Being Prepared class. Participating is always an informative and eye-opening experience. This is a must-attend event— the information covered is critical to your health and well-being.
BHH would not exist without our local community's support. Please remember to donate to BHH to help us sustain the level of service our friends and family have come to know.
And finally, we are thrilled to announce that Dr. Rod is taking on the president's role for BHH. We look forward to a great year under his leadership!
Dodge those raindrops and see you in April! Kat McKay Vice President, Operations | | | Dr. Rod Gottula Named New BHH President
On March 20, 2023 a new president was appointed to lead Boquete Health and Hospice. Dr. Rod Gottula accepted the nomination and was unanimously approved by the Council.
Dr. Rod has been a member of BHH for several years and has been an active member. He has conducted several educational sessions at our general meetings and helps train new volunteers. He has extensive experience with hospice organizations in the USA.
The Council extends its congratulations to Dr. Rod and wishes him all the best.
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Update on Communicable Disease Policy
| | | On March 1, 2023 the Boquete Health and Hospice Council discussed an update to our Communicable Disease policy. After discussion it was decided that the mask policy needed to be changed.
The following change was voted on and unanimously approved by the voting members of the council: At BHH classes and events where social distancing is possible, masks are now optional. It is still recommended that masks be worn. (CHANGE)
The remainder of the policy remains MOSTLY the same: - Wearing a mask is mandatory for anyone attending a BHH class or event where social distancing is not maintainable. For example: CPR class where people are working on manikins and are less than one foot apart from each other. (NO CHANGE FOR ONE SPECIFIC TYPE OF MEETING)
- Any volunteer member that is going into patients' homes must be (a) fully vaccinated AND (b) wear an N95 mask. Fully vaccinated means having two shots of Pfizer or Moderna, or one of Johnson and Johnson. (This is MINSA's definition of "fully vaccinated.") (NO CHANGE)
- In addition, any volunteer member that interacts with a patient or a patient's family members, or a friend of the patient, must wear an N95 mask. This applies to Patient Care Coordinators, Hospice and Home Care Team members, and Meal team members who deliver meals to the patients. (NO CHANGE)
- Equipment Team members must still wear masks when loaning out equipment. (NO CHANGE)
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Don't Miss Our April General Meeting!
Dra. Shannon Tuer Presents "Healthcare Services Available in Boquete and David" | | | | A simple accident, a fall, diagnosis of an illness, a stroke—unfortunately, they can happen to any of us at any time regardless of our age or how healthy we are. Whether you are new to the Boquete area or have been here for several years, it is important to understand the available healthcare services in our area before you need them. Join us on April 12 as Dra. Shannon Tuer explains the healthcare services here in Boquete and David: - Where do I go in Boquete and in David for an emergency?
- What are the ambulance choices, and what do they offer?
- How does insurance work or not work here in Panamá?
- What are MINSA and CSS, and who can use them?
- What are the differences between the hospitals in David?
- How do I get routine vaccinations such as influenza, tetanus, etc. locally?
- How do the laboratories in Boquete and David operate?
- Do specialists come here from Panamá City or must I travel there?
- What if I need blood?
- How is palliative care and hospice care in Panamá different than in other countries?
- I do not speak Spanish and need healthcare services. What do I do?
These are just a few of the critical topics Dra. Shannon will discuss. Following the presentation there will be ample time for your questions and answers. Please invite your friends and neighbors to a very useful and informative presentation on Wednesday, April 12, at 10am at the AnÃmales Event Center in Alto Boquete. | | |
CPR Training is Back at BHH
The BHH CPR team is planning its first training/re-training to be held on Wednesday, April 12. This free class will be held at the Animales Event Center in Alto Boquete and will start at 11am following our April general meeting. It will last about an hour. A group comprised of a retired paramedic, EMTs, and registered nurses will teach the course and cover hands-on CPR chest compressions (no mouth-to-mouth) and the Heimlich maneuver for airway obstruction. This is a non-certified course. The class size is limited to 16, so please register by emailing your name, email address, and WhatsApp number to CPR@boquetehealth.org. | | | New Volunteer Training April 24, 26, and 28
"At the end of the day it's not about what you have or even what you've accomplished…it's about who you've lifted up, who you've made better. It's about what you've given back." Denzel Washington
BHH is proud that our comprehensive training classes are creating so many inquiries about our organization. There is so much interest in BHH that we recently scheduled the next New Volunteer training classes for April 24, 26, and 28. The classes will be taught over those three days from 9am-3:30pm. Attendance is required for all three days.
In the class students will listen to local experts who discuss such topics as the Being Prepared Guide, hospice and family care, area blood drives, respiratory equipment, and music services. Hands-on activities include the proper use of crutches, wheelchairs, and other equipment. The use of oxygen concentrators is also demonstrated.
We invite anyone who is interested to join us. Our teams offer diverse volunteer opportunities, and our volunteers are from all walks of life. A medical background is not necessary. If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about us, please complete the volunteer application form on our website. | | | Thanks Dra. Luz for Your Engaging Presentation! | | | Thanks to Dra. Luz for delivering our March presentation, "Dental Emergencies." Her animated style and years of experience led to some lively Q&A with the crowd. | | | Farewell to Chuck
and Jeannie High
On March 7 Boquete Health and Hospice said so long to a dedicated volunteer, Chuck High. He and his wife Jeannie are relocating to Spain. We will miss his smiling face and endless energy at the New Volunteer training.
Chuck joined BHH in 2014 and created a training program for new volunteers on using medical equipment properly. | | | His background as a physical therapist made him ideal for that position. Chuck also made valuable contributions to the Magic of Music team during his time with the organization.
We wish them all the best life has to offer. Happy trails Chuck and Jeannie! We'll miss you! Photo courtesy of Fran Hogan Creative. | | | Golden Years to Open in Chiriquà Spring 2023
This will be the First Continuing Care Facility in Panamá to Offer Assisted Living, Independent Living, and Skilled Nursing Care | |  | | A tour group from Boquete visited the facility under construction on February 15, 2023. | |  | | As of late February, the roof is on and walls are going up. | | On February 15, BHH's social media manager Deb Hornstraparticipated in a promotional tour of the Golden Years assisted living facility, under construction in Cuesta de Piedra (Tierras Altas), between David and Volcán. Deb later had the chance to speak directly to Golden Years developer Sonia Perez about the history of the project and her vision for the future. The following is Deb's account and does not constitute an endorsement by BHH. Prospective tenants are advised to conduct their own due diligence.
Everybody knows you can't drive over Volcán Barú. So to get to Golden Years from Boquete, our large bus drove all the way south to the Pan-American Highway and then back up the other side. After David, it's a gorgeous ride north on Route 43 through Tierras Altas. About 25 minutes before Volcán, you can't miss the Golden Years facility on the northbound side.
The day we visited was bright and sunny, with breathtaking views of the volcano and the Chiriquà countryside. About 25 Boquete residents had joined the tour—some who had been living in Panamá for a while, others relative newcomers. As we pulled up, we saw the construction crew taking full advantage of the dry season as they worked to meet a tentative opening for the main building (the assisted living complex) of late May or early June, 2023. | |  | | View of the volcano, from the site. | | Golden Years aims to become the first continuing care community in the Republic of Panamá. Continuing care means independent living, assisted living, and a skilled nursing facility all at the same location and under the same management. This model allows residents to move easily between different levels of care without having to relocate entirely. At full build-out, Golden Years will offer 32 assisted living units in the main building (28 1BRs and four 2BRs), ten 2BR independent living side-by-side duplex units, and a skilled nursing facility (nursing home), to include a dementia unit.
Project developer Sonia Perez is an American citizen originally from Puerto Rico. She is a natural Spanish/English bilingual who has obtained permanent residency in Panamá and has been living here for almost twenty years. She and her late husband owned a home in Bocas del Toro for nine years until his health required them to move off the islands. When her husband passed away, Sonia (who had retired at his request) wasted no time going back to work.
Sonia had owned a continuing care facility in Monroe, Georgia (halfway between Atlanta and Athens), and she was eager to offer such services here. From personal experience, she knew there was an unmet need for more senior housing options in Panamá. The traditional local model of informal home-based caregiving cannot always provide the reliability and security of a facility that's professionally staffed around the clock.
Sonia is also a firm believer in the social and emotional benefits of communal living for older adults. This is especially important as she will live at Golden Years herself. "I'm trying to create the atmosphere of a happy neighborhood, where your friends are right down the hall and there's always something to do." The facility will include a gym with therapeutic hot tub, a library, an art room, a salon, a meeting room, and a garden with a fountain and walking paths. The design of the main building is both attractive and functional, with the common areas arranged in an octagonal built around a light-filled central atrium. | |  | | Sonia is a businesswoman, a mother/grandmother/great-grandmother, and a dancer! | | | Golden Years is strictly a rental facility; none of the units will be for sale. Sonia believes this is in her residents' best interest. First, renting can free up considerable funds that would otherwise have gone toward purchasing a house. Second, a fixed rental price gives seniors peace of mind in terms of their expenditures. Home ownership can result in unanticipated costs for upkeep, as well as the burden of needing to sell the property to access equity. | |  | | One of the two residence wings in the assisted living facility. | | Applicants will not be required to submit a credit check, but they will be required to sign a lease and pay a security deposit equal to one month's rent. All leases will be on a month-to-month basis and can be terminated by either party on thirty days' notice. Monthly rents will be as follows:
Assisted Living - $1,500 for 1BR units with single occupancy, $1,900 for 1BR units with double occupancy
- $2,000 for 2BR units with single occupancy, $2,400 for 2BR units with double occupancy
Independent Living (no meals, utilities, or amenities included) - $850 for 2BR duplexes (single or double occupancy)
Assisted living units will have full-size refrigerators and stoves with ovens. Assisted living rents include three meals a day served in the glass-walled dining room facing the gardens. Also covered by these rents are all utilities including fiber optic Wi-Fi, weekly laundry and housekeeping services, 24/7 security, a shuttle service to the supermarket and medical appointments, medication management by certified nursing assistants, and regular on-site access to a local doctor or doctors (days and hours to be determined). The building will be backup-powered by a generator. And pets (cats and small dogs) are welcome!
The independent living units (side-by-side duplexes with no stairs), to be built once the assisted living facility is completed, will have larger kitchens and individual laundry hookups. The rent for the independent living units does not includes meals, utilities, or access to any of the other services or amenities in the assisted living facility.
The units are no smaller than they would be in the United States. Each will have a large glass door for access to individual outdoor patios. The facility sits on ten acres of rural Chiriquà beauty: clean, quiet, and peaceful. Most units have views of either the volcano or the gardens. All units are being rented unfurnished, as Sonia believes residents should bring their own aesthetic to differentiate them and make them feel like home.
Tenants will be allowed to sublease their units, but only at the same rents they are paying (no markup permitted). This will make it possible for residents who live elsewhere for some period of time to retain their units, while also giving someone else a chance to "try out" living at Golden Years.
As this is a brand-new concept for Panamá, it will be interesting to see how it evolves and whether it spurs development of more housing options to provide varying levels of care to senior residents. | |  | | Two bedroom unit in assisted living. |  | | One bedroom unit in assisted living. | |  | | Floor plan for the main building, with atrium and common rooms. | |  | | The beautiful Tierras Altas countryside. | | | For more information on Golden Years, or to arrange a guided tour of the facility, please contact Sonia Perez by email at sperez1217@yahoo.com or via WhatsApp at 507-6476-2299. | | |
Volunteers Needed in Key Roles
As Boquete Health and Hospice continues to grow and provide more services to the Boquete community, we are looking for additional volunteers to help in the following positions.
Patient Care Coordinator
Boquete Health and Hospice needs to fill an important opening for a Patient Care Coordinator. We have three patient care coordinators and one is moving from Boquete, so this is an urgent matter. The Patient Care Coordinator (PCC) works within a team of other PCCs to assist patients and caregivers who contact us looking for help or information about equipment loans, hospice care, and health support. In this rewarding position you will respond to calls and text messages as you interact with the Boquete community to provide valuable assistance and information. This is a flexible volunteer position that requires organizational skills and basic computer skills. A medical or hospice background is not required.
Hospice and Family Care Team Lead
The Hospice and Family Care team Lead is a critical role at BHH that oversees volunteers who are providing hospice and home support to patients and their caregivers. As a Team Lead, you, along with our team of PCCs, assess the needs of our hospice patients and patients needing home support.
Depending on the patients' specific needs, you will organize volunteers who will provide services and medical equipment. You will work with patients and their families to monitor the patients' progress, and be available to answer volunteer questions as they support patients. A healthcare background is needed, as well as strong organizational skills. This position offers a flexible time commitment since you will be working with a team.
If either of these roles sounds like something you'd enjoy doing, or if you're interested in learning more about other volunteer opportunities, please get in touch as soon as possible by calling +507 6781-9250 and completing a volunteer application form here. | | | Welcome Keith Daniels, New BHH Secretary!
Keith Daniels recently went through New Volunteer training and quickly volunteered to become Secretary of the BHH Council. Prior to moving to Panama, he spent 20 years in the USAF where he was in aircraft electronics for 15 years | | | and computer programming for five. In 2000 he met the love of his life, Denise Daniels, and they were married on Valentine's Day, 2003. Keith also worked in North Carolina county government for 14 years where he was an election specialist and Clerk to the Elections Board.
Denise and Keith love Panama and live in David, after originally moving to Boquete in November, 2020. | | |
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