Health Circle: Caregiving
Vision and Mission Statements
Our vision is an enlightened, healthful community without hindrance to health of body, spirit, or mind; where all beings feel supported with wisdom and compassion and safe in their transitions through aging, sickness, and death.
We align ourselves with the principles of the Zen Center of Los Angeles – our mission is to be mindful of the health of the sangha, manifest compassion, and address suffering. We address suffering by providing various forms of health education and by offering support for those challenged by their own health issues or those of their families and loved ones.
The ZCLA Health Circle currently offers several programs and services:
Caring Net Program
Our newest effort, the Caring Net Program, offers short-term assistance to Sangha members requesting support following an illness or surgery, such as home or hospital visits, food shopping, prescription pick-up, preparation of meals, or transportation to doctors and hospitals. Each person requesting support is assigned an Ally, who helps the potential recipient define their needs.
Once a recipient’s needs have been identified, the Ally contacts Caring Net volunteers with a sign-up sheet where volunteers, who have attended a training workshop, can indicate how they can help. The Caring Net is a special way to respond to the needs of our Sangha in the spirit of no giver, no receiver, no gift.
Workshops on Advanced Health Care Directives
Recently, the Health Circle offered a workshop on preparing an Advanced Health Care Directive. Those who attended were followed up to see if they needed help choosing an Agent, thinking through their medical care or funeral wishes, or making other arrangements. It is our experience that Directives are often started and then set aside to be done “later.”
Our Circle is currently exploring the best form in which to offer support to persons considering final-years issues, such as where or with whom they might live, or are considering assisted living.
Prayer Chain
The Health Circle maintains the Prayer Chain which enables the Sangha to give support through chanting and prayer on behalf of Sangha members undergoing surgery or other medical procedures.
Prayer List
The Health Circle also maintains the Prayer List from which we recite the names of Sangha members or loved ones who are ill.
If you are interested in joining the Caring Net program as an ally or volunteer or in coming to our next meeting, please contact Luminous-Heart at pbt9@aol.com.
For CARING NET PROGRAM VOLUNTEER RELEASE, click here.
For HOLD HARMLESS RELEASE, click here.
MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS