As any who read me here or elsewhere know I've developed and am promoting a worldwide video branding and marketing program called Video StoryTellers!™. It is my "vision" that this program reaches beyond its commercial base, to providing much needed services for people who face the inevitable loss of family heritage, stories, memories — such as those dealing with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of mental dementia, and Hospice families who have members facing the end-of-life experience.
Initially I thought there might be a way to approach Hospice environments (at least where families or members just entered this awareness are not yet totally incapacitated) in a manner that didn't seem inappropriate, that didn't come across as a type of "ambulance chasing" and turn off not only Hospice organizations, but the families and people in general.
With a few areas of exception I now do not believe such an approach exists. But I DO believe there is something to be considered regarding, for lack of a better description — legacy, final farewell, or heritage messages, personal tributes. Whatever name might apply or have specific meaning.
None but the most rare situation would call for a "death bed" recording (sounds awful, I know, but I've actually been asked to help preserve such events — comes with the territory when providing funeral/memorial video services). So we'll leave THAT situation out for the purposes of THIS "discussion" if any should occur.
While I have EVERY reason to believe that Alzheimer's disease families, especially those facing early-onset, would enthusiastically embrace opportunities to preserve, share and recount stories before they are forever lost, that too is subject for another "discussion".
So, I'll get to the point:
How can we as a community of generally sensitive, caring, compassionate video professionals not only commercially invested in this business, but also sensitive to special needs in our communities provide information and services for Hospice families?
Part of my "vision" for Video StoryTellers!™ is to not only establish worldwide marketing and branding for the commercial aspect of preserving and sharing stories and memories, but to provide such services in some manner for those lives hit hardest by the loss of family stories and memories — Alzheimer's disease and other forms of mental dementia, as well as families who have members facing imminent death...
...Hospice families.
I believe that "vision" regarding Hospice services would best be gained by volunteering. If EVERY current and future VST associate, or even a group of Special VST Hospice Volunteer Videographers, donated one hour of his/her time a month, every two months, whatever, to freely provide story, testimony, memory preservation for Hospice families in their respective communities it would both serve a needed program and bode well for the brand and people who participate.
Any comments?
