Kokua Mau

Analysis of Kokua Mau’s innovative and unique ambassador program

Kōkua Mau’s Let’s Talk Story Program: Year 2

Phenomenal Increase in Outreach – Analysis of an innovative and unique ambassador program

Overview—Community outreach continues to grow

In the second year of employing an Advance Care Planning Coordinator, there has been a phenomenal increase in outreach to the community and professionals. In 2018, the increase in interest throughout the community in places where people “live, work, and pray” suggests that people in the community are recognizing the importance of meaningful conversations and Advance Health Care Directives.

Increase Requests for Community Presentations

  • In 2017 an unprecedented number of presentations were done in the community; 28 groups requested presentations, and 44 presentations reached upwards of 656 people.
  • In 2018, interest continues to grow, as 38 groups requested presentations and 52 presentations reached upwards of 827 people.

Overview—Professional Development doubles in training requests

The increase of requests for Professional Development reflects the changes in measures that professionals are now expected to meet, and the desire for organizations to do Advance Care Planning (ACP) well for their clients or members.

Increase Requests for Professional Development

  • In 2017, 17 groups requested trainings, and 18 training sessions reached 446 health care professionals.
  • In 2018, requests for Professional Development training nearly doubled, as 28 organizations requested training sessions and 36 training sessions reached upwards of 953 professionals.

Read more or download the PDF of the full report on our website

Kōkua Mau’s Let’s Talk Story Program a 2017 review

The Challenge:

Many are not comfortable initiating conversations about care for loved ones or themselves should there be a diagnosis with a serious illness. As a result, those important conversations are avoided with no clear resolution. It usually takes a health crisis to bring these issues to the forefront, but this creates tremendous undue stress on families. At a time when the focus should be on providing the best quality of life for those with a serious illness, attention is often diverted to resolving personal differences that can often splinter families.

The Solution:

Kōkua Mau believes that advance care planning conversations should occur as early as possible, so there can be clarity about our wishes and values as well as those of our loved ones. These wishes must be documented and communicated to family members and healthcare providers to minimize the collateral effects of an illness on a family and bring greater peace of mind for everyone involved.

Initiating conversations about advance care planning is a challenge for a number reasons. There are cultural barriers and attitudinal differences about illness and death. Kōkua Mau’s Let’s Talk Story was originally launched as a Speakers Bureau and has evolved into a more substantive ambassador program designed to break down those barriers.

If your group is interested in a free workshop on this important topic, book a Kokua Mau speaker online or call (808) 585-9977.