Hospice of the Bluegrass

Half a World Away: Another Day, Another Funeral

Feb 162012

Wide Horizon Hospice

I did not know Rose. I had never met her, yet I attended her funeral this morning. All I know of Rose is that she was 25 years old and left three young children for her mother to care for. As is the Swazi tradition, she was laid to her final rest at sunup.

We arrived at her remote homestead in the predawn hours just as the men were moving her narrow wooden casket from her home and placing it in back of a pickup truck. We fell in line with the other mourners and followed on foot as the truck bounced along a rutted dirt road around the hillside to the primordial burial ground. The procession sang the now familiar strains of the African hymns, and though I did not understand the words, one could not mistake the sentiment of the plaintive refrains.

We walked in darkness until at last we reached our destination, a steep hillside littered with unmarked stone mounds, each one representing a perished soul. The men pulled Rose’s casket from the bed of the truck and by the light of a lantern held high made their way down the steep incline. They placed the coffin by the freshly dug grave. I made my way to the bottom of the hill and looked up at the gathered mourners, now numbering nearly 100, their brown faces turned skyward and their voices continuing the ancient cadence, as the breaking dawn gave a muted light to the scene.

As Rose’s casket was lowered into the ground, the first true rays of the morning sun fell upon the hillside. Rose’s mother, sister, brothers and children took turns ceremoniously tossing a handful of dirt into the grave. The singing continued as the men from the community got to the real work of burying their dead.

After the last shovel of dirt was placed and the last stone was positioned, the preacher read from a worn Bible. Then, a representative from the family addressed those gathered. He departed from his native tongue to acknowledge our presence. He said our coming brought the bereaved family honor and comfort.

From my stance at the bottom of the hill I could now plainly see the faces of the mourners in the morning sun. I was taken by what I perceived as numbness on their countenances. No tears, no sobs, just blank stares from those who have repeated this ritual far too many times.

And then it was over. They turned and left. I lingered for a moment. Now, in the full morning sun, I beheld the entire mountainside literally crowded with stone covered mounds. And now a new one.

I did not know Rose. I had never met her, yet I attended her funeral this morning.

Wide Horizon Hospice

John Johnson, director of the Lexington office of Hospice of the Bluegrass, traveled to Africa last year. While there, he paid a visit to Wide Horizon, HOB’s sister hospice in South Africa. This story describes an experience he had there. In the past few years, HOB Employees have raised nearly $15,000 for Wide Horizon Hospice. This funding helped pay for all new cabinetry, countertops, filing cabinets and storage lockers in the duty room, an updated kitchen and patient bathroom.

Daniel’s Care….

Jan 272012

Donna Armstrong, MSW,CSW Daniels Care Pediatric Program Director

For many the idea of a sick child is scary and depressing thought. Children are not supposed to be sick. The idea of hospice and palliative care for children brings up much conversation. What do you do on visits? Isn’t it sad?? How do you do it?

I love working with pediatric patients and families. It is unpredictable and challenging. I have spent visits holding babies, doing crafts, helping with homework, having my hair fixed, watching reality TV (more than I care to admit), playing computer games, laughing and crying. It has been an honor to walk with our patients and families. I have learned so much about life and love that I couldn’t possibly put it all into one blog. I have learned that it is the little moments that are precious and make the big memories. Now, that may seem like something one would read on a greeting card, but it is true. It reminds me of one of our first Daniel’s Care patients.

I provided care to my first hospice pediatric patient* sixteen years ago. I quickly learned that visiting him and his family was not scary or depressing, but was a complete joy. He was a beautiful infant diagnosed with a fatal genetic condition. He lived with his mother and father and two siblings. His family knew that time spent with him was precious. The focus was on providing comfort, helping his young sisters understand his illness and helping the family create memories.

One visit stands out in my mind. His mother had asked me to drive her and the baby to a doctor’s appointment. She did not have transportation as the family had one car which her husband needed for work. She had called me the day before to discuss the time of appointment and then timidly asked me if we could stop and get his picture made. She said she had baby pictures with her two other children, but not one with him. She reported people might think it strange because he wasn’t supposed to live long and because he had a facial deformity. Of course I told her we could stop for pictures.

After the doctor’s appointment we stopped at a local photography studio. The young photographer was initially startled by the infant’s facial deformity, but quickly warmed up as his loving face beamed and mom told his story. Due to his very small size we had to be creative with positioning, but were able to get beautiful photographs. His mom was very grateful for this simple act of normalcy, a picture of her child and someone to share the experience with. I still have my picture and it still brings me joy. It’s the little moments that count.

Donna Armstrong, MSW,CSW
Daniels Care Pediatric Program Director

Daniel’s Care is specialized pediatric care provided by Hospice of the Bluegrass for Children and adolescents from birth to twenty-one who are coping with life-threatening illnesses and/or conditions. The Daniel’s Care program served approximately 145 patients last year in both hospice and palliative care. Hospice of the Bluegrass has trained pediatric hospice staff in every office. The Palliative Care staff consults on pediatric patients at Kentucky Children’s Hospital, sees patients at the Daniel’s Care Pediatric Palliative Care Clinic in Lexington and in their homes.

*The name and particular details have been modified to protect patient information.

The Warm Comfort of a Cold, Wet Nose . .

Jan 092012

The dog lay stretched out along the length of the elderly man’s side as they reclined together in an easy chair. The dog’s cold, wet nose was tucked under the man’s chin, his large, furry head rested against the frail frame that over fifty years earlier, possessed the strength to struggle through a barrage of bullets, on a beach in Normandy. His name was Phillip*; a veteran of WWII, a grandfather, accomplished physicist, lover of animals, and my friend. A few years before, we’d met as volunteers at an animal shelter. He was dying of cancer. Phillip had asked me to bring one of my dogs to visit, while he was a patient on the Hospice unit. That day, was Humphrey’s turn, to come and see our beloved friend.

Humphrey was a rescued, 6 yr old Boxer mix. It was a wonder the both of them fit in the chair, as Humphrey was a large dog; but Phillip made room, wanting to feel the warmth and gentle breathing of the dog next to him. Phillip sighed as he closed his eyes to nap, (Humphrey’s were already shut), saying that he “could happily go now” as he could “think of no better way, than next to a dog.” He had loved and rescued many of them, for most of his 78 years. Phillip had taken these same naps with one or more of my dogs, when visiting me. I would pray then, as I did at that time, that Phillip would be able “to go,” while he was so at peace and felt such comfort.

My experience with Phillip, along with reading an article about the positive benefits of animal-assisted therapy for Hospice patients was the catalyst for our interest in becoming volunteers for this organization. We’d been visiting schools, hospitals and nursing homes since 1997. My mother was a Hospice patient during the final year of her life.

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” Anatole France

The essence of this quotation beautifully illustrates what I’ve witnessed during my visits. Regardless of breed or size, when a patient realizes a dog is present, it’s as if an inner switch is flipped. They are often able to focus on the moment and will reach out to touch the warm fur, or caress the smooth, rounded head . . . recalling fond memories of past pets they’ve loved. That simple, gentle touch can provide an avenue that allows both the patient and family members to direct their thoughts away from the worries they face and the pain that often threatens to overwhelm them. The warm, luminous eyes, can speak to a level of comfort and understanding for which we often struggle to find the words. Dogs don’t ask questions or judge. They don’t care how we look or that we are sick – that can be a very powerful tool in getting a patient or family member to open up.

A dog’s degree of perception can be amazing. There was Woogie, a Pit mix, born blind and deaf. Visiting an inpatient facility for youth with behavioral issues, he showed only a brief interest in the other dozen kids sitting on the floor. He targeted on a thin, quiet young boy, pushing himself onto his lap and licking his face. The boy seemed pleased and surprised at the attention. I remember telling him that “Woogie must see something in you that he likes.” We were later informed by the unit supervisor that the young man, who’d been admitted several weeks prior, had broken down after we left. He was finally able to talk to a counselor, tearfully remorseful, over his killing the family dog in a fit of anger.

Then there’s Beowulf, a very energetic American Bulldog. His demeanor changes, becoming calm and focused once he puts on his vest and harness; he knows he’s “working”; he realizes he’s there on the unit for a purpose. Grendel, an American Bulldog rescued from a life of abuse, is an 85 lb gentle giant, especially good with children. Toby, a 3-legged, 5 lb Min Pin, loves to cuddle and will curl up closely in “any willing lap.” Even if a patient or family member does not want physical contact, an animal can make a connection and an impression that defies logic. In a nursing home we’ve visited for 15 years, the residents remember the name of the dog, but often do not remember me!

Studies have long upheld the fact that animal-assisted therapy can offer immediate benefits that are both physical and physiological. That holds true not only for the patient and family, but for me as well. There is no better feeling than seeing the pain-dimmed eyes of a patient, light up – or the face of that family member, normally creased with worry and exhaustion, relax and smile, when they see the dog or feel the insistent push of a cold, wet nose against their hand. Perhaps for at least a brief time, that part of the soul is again awakened, proof that one is still alive and worthy of being loved – unconditionally.

Laura Nordan
Hospice of the Bluegrass Volunteer
Therapy certification: Pawsibilities Unleashed Pet Therapy of Kentucky, Inc. 501©3
Liz Norris, AKC Master Trainer/Founder – Therapy & Service Dog Training
www.pawsibilitiesunleashed.org

*The name and particular details have been modified to protect patient information.

Hospice Services for Veterans

Dec 302011

Did you know that one out of every four dying Americans is a veteran? It is likely that 642,000 veterans will die in 2012. Forty percent of the 22.7 million living veterans are 65 and older and most are living with chronic health conditions. It’s important that healthcare providers understand the extent to which military and combat experience can affect end-of-life treatment.

Through grants provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Hospice of the Bluegrass (HOB) became a leader among community hospices, improving the quality of care provided to veterans and their families. HOB’s goal is to increase the use of palliative and hospice care services.

To better serve veterans and their families, Hospice of the Bluegrass has:

Added a military history checklist to their medical record;
Created a veterans program for employee and volunteer orientation;
Developed education topics such as: needs of veterans at end-of-life, VA benefits, eligibility and enrollment, health risks associated with various combat theaters and practical tips for working with veterans and their families;
Honored veterans and their families with appreciation cards, certificates and pinning ceremonies recognizing military service; and
Hosted Veteran appreciation dinners to recognize military service and provide information about healthcare services in their community.

Hospice of the Bluegrass is a partner with the national We Honor Veterans campaign and is committed to giving high quality palliative care to all veterans. Here are a few ways you can help:

If you know a veteran with chronic illness, contact your local community palliative and hospice care provider.
If you participate in a veteran, civic or religious organization that could benefit from learning more about palliative and hospice care or the needs of veterans at end-of-life, contact Hospice of the Bluegrass for a speaker.
Volunteer with Hospice of the Bluegrass to provide support to patients and families.

The two videos below highlight some of the needs of veterans at end-of-life and the ways in which palliative and hospice care can help. Please take a moment to watch these and leave your questions or comments below.

Reaching Out to Those Who Served

Jim Cooper’s Legacy: A Veteran’s Story

Turner West, MTS
Director of Volunteer Services

Will You Join Me in Making a Difference?

Dec 202011

When a family member faces a terminal illness and is nearing death, where would you turn?

I hope one of your early calls will be to Hospice of the Bluegrass because you know you will receive excellent medical care and support for the entire family. You also know that your family member will be treated with respect and dignity by dedicated, compassionate health professionals in the comfort of your own home.

Patient and SW The contributions we receive have helped make Hospice of the Bluegrass a national leader in end-of-life care. We are grateful to our friends for supporting our patients and committed team of care givers. Thanks to our donors, Hospice continues to touch the lives of thousands and seeks to improve their quality of life.

Hospice of the Bluegrass is your community hospice. We exist to serve you and your loved ones – to provide comfort and hope. In this uncertain economic time, Hospice of the Bluegrass counts on your support – now more than ever. Your year-end gift is extremely important because it provides resources that make an immediate impact and helps through these interesting – and tough – days.

You may have already received a letter or email asking for a year end gift or maybe this is the first time you are seeing the message. Regardless, I hope you will join me in supporting Hospice this year. Your gift can make all the difference to dying patients and their families.

Patient and RN Hospice of the Bluegrass is committed to quality end-of-life care for you, your loved ones, and for every person in the community. Your donation will make a difference. I promise you. Please click here to go to the Hospice of the Bluegrass website to make a secure donation.

Thank you so much for your help. Please accept my appreciation for all your support. On behalf of Hospice of the Bluegrass staff and volunteers, I wish you the most peaceful of holiday seasons!

Best Regards,

Susan M. Ware, CFRM
Vice President of Development
Hospice of the Bluegrass

Grief and the Holidays

Nov 292011

Sherri Weisenfluh, LCSW, ACHP-SW Associate Chief Clinical Officer, Counseling

Bonnie Meyer, DMin, BCC Director of Bereavement and Spiritual Care

Holidays, for many people, are times to be with loved ones and share family traditions. Because we have such a strong association between holidays and being with loved ones, holidays can be painful instead of joyous when a loved one dies. After the death, we miss them every day, but may miss them the most on special days that are packed with memories—the holidays which mean the most to us.

For those who are grieving, the approaching holidays are often anticipated with dread rather than with joyful anticipation. Some dread going through the motions of the usual holiday activities without that person’s presence. The reality of their absence will be so unbearable that we are unsure whether we will even want to do anything associated with the holidays.

Yet we wonder, what do my living loved ones need at this time? And, what do I need at this time? What shall I do, and what shall I not do, this year?

If you or someone you know will be going through the holidays this year while grieving the loss of a loved one, here are some suggestions.

Talk with your family and friends about their ideas and plans; consider doing something special together:
Consider the “little things” that can make a difference
“The little things are infinitely the most important” – Arthur Doyle
“Taking that first step, however small it may seem is a big step. It frees you from feeling immobilized.” – Ronna Jevne & James Miller, in Finding Hope: Ways to See Life in a Brighter Light (1999).
Make “Healing Memory Ornaments” together: decorate a plain ornament with colors or drawings that have meaning for you; write a message to your loved one and stuff it inside the ornament; hang or display the ornament according to your family’s traditions
Buy a present for the loved one, and donate it to a needy person
Light a candle, or say a prayer, or play a song, or plant a tree
Include a poem or scripture or picture, in memory of your loved one, in your holiday cards that you send
Did the one who died always perform a particular role during the holidays (such as cutting the meat, or leading the Seder, or distributing the gifts, etc.)? Talk about what would feel best this year: leave the role undone? Have someone else perform the role? Change the role in some way? Can that mantle be passed on to someone else in a meaningful and healing way?
Hang a stocking or set out a bowl for the person, and ask family and friends to fill it with notes about special memories
Give yourself and others permission to cry…and also to laugh.

Talk with a grief counselor about your particular situation and make some decisions about what will help you through the holidays
Attend a holiday support group and talk with others about their ideas and plans
Attend a holiday memorial service, or visit the grave (ask someone to go with you, if that will help)
Hospice of the Bluegrass offers holiday-related memorial services, counseling, groups, and healing activities at each of our sites. A schedule of these events is available on the Support Groups section of our Web site

One place your family and friends can get suggestions about how to help you during the holidays is on-line at Caring Connections

If you are facing the holiday this year during a time of grief and loss, we hope that you are able to find the support you need. We hope that you are able to find meaning, in some small thing, that brings you comfort. If you would like to talk to a counselor, please call the Hospice of the Bluegrass office located in your area.

Coping with Terminal Illness can be Overwhelming

Nov 182011

Gretchen Brown, President/CEO, Hospice of the Bluegrass

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and Hospice of the Bluegrass wants to make sure that everyone in the 32 central, southeastern and northern Kentucky counties we serve understands what resources are available for the dying, their families and the grieving.

Coping with a serious or life-limiting illness is not easy. In fact, it might be the hardest work you’ll ever do. Working with doctors and hospitals, navigating the maze of care needs, figuring out insurance coverage, all in addition to taking care of your family can be overwhelming. Hospice of the Bluegrass wants you to know that there is help.

Hospice and palliative care provides expert pain management, symptom control, psycho-social support and spiritual care to patients and families when a cure is not possible. All the necessary medicines and equipment needed to keep a patient comfortable can be brought right to the home, which is where most Americans would like to be if at all possible. Hospice makes this happen.

More than 1.5 million people with a life-limiting illness get help from the nation’s hospice and palliative care providers every single year.

“There’s an inaccurate perception among the American public that hospice means you’ve given up,” said J. Donald Schumacher, president and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. “Those of us who have worked in the field have seen firsthand how hospice and palliative care can improve the quality of life. And there’s a growing body of research showing that hospice and palliative care may prolong the lives of some people who receive care.”

Families often share thoughts with us about their hospice experience. We hear comments like “What a difference hospice made in the last days of her life”, “We wish we had called hospice sooner” or “We could not have done this without hospice.” Do you have a special hospice story you would like to share? Leave a comment ~ we would love to hear!

Gretchen M. Brown
President/CEO

Why I Volunteer

Nov 012011

Sylvia Boggs, Volunteer

How did I become a Hospice Volunteer? I did not make a conscious decision to volunteer for Hospice. It was more of an organic collision of events in my life that guided me to volunteering for Hospice.

My father died in July 2006. He lived 8 days after a repair for an aortic dissection. I spent most of that time beside him, comforting and loving. It was my first experience with death of a loved one.

I learned I have a capacity for giving comfort and presence for the ill. And that the idea, the inevitability, of death, is not difficult for me to process.

My stepfather was placed in a nursing home a year and a half ago, with advanced dementia. Visiting him in his home, I was reminded how I can comfort and give presence.

About a year ago, I started looking around for a way I could help people. I looked at a variety of volunteer activities, in nursing homes and the Senior Citizen Center. Nothing really captured me.

And then a friend of mine told me about Hospice. She had taken volunteer training, and explained to me about Hospice and what it does, and I knew I had found the group with which I wanted to volunteer. I know most people come into Hospice because of their personal experience with the organization. Not me. Hospice and me just found each other.

I have been a volunteer for six months, visiting a couple of patients once a week in a nursing home. I can tell how much they appreciate my visits, and I have enjoyed hearing their stories. One of my patients has few other visitors, and she keeps track of the day of the week, always knowing when I will come, ready with questions about my week. For one of my patients, I transported her mother to the nursing home for a weekly visit, and, even though the patient has died, I am maintaining a relationship with her mother because she is now a dear friend of mine. I have also had the honor of volunteering at the Flight 5191 Sculpture dedication ceremony, and the fun of working the finish line at the Bourbon Chase Race. Thanks to Hospice, I feel as if I am doing volunteer work that matters. I am reaching out to people in a way that makes their lives, and their end of life, more meaningful and pleasant. And I am benefitting from exposure to a bunch of amazing people I would not otherwise have met.

Sylvia Boggs is a volunteer with Hospice of the Bluegrass

GoodGiving Guide Challenge 2011

Oct 272011

Join the Challenge! Hospice of the Bluegrass is participating in the GoodGiving Guide Challenge 2011, making us eligible for thousands of dollars in cash prizes!

All money donated to Hospice of the Bluegrass will be used to provide quality end of life care to terminally ill patients and their families. In addition, Hospice provides grief and bereavement services for family members, caregivers and anyone in grief whether or not their loved one was a hospice patient.

To help us compete for cash and prizes, we need a minimum of 50 friends and supporters, like you, to donate at least $25 each to Hospice via GoodGivingGuide.net anytime between 7:59 a.m. on October 27, 2011 and 11:59 p.m. December 31, 2011.

What is the GoodGiving Guide Challenge? It’s a new partnership between Blue Grass Community Foundation and Smiley Pete Publishing (Chevy Chaser Magazine, Southsider Magazine and Business Lexington) to promote online charitable giving to local causes. In addition to the GoodGiving Guide’s online efforts, Smiley Pete Publishing will be reaching out to its reader base with a print edition of the Guide, which will provide a detailed profile of 58 Lexington nonprofits, including Hospice of the Bluegrass.

The faster you give online, the greater Hospice’s chance of winning. Plus there are many great incentive prizes for donors who give through the Challenge. A complete list of nonprofit and donor incentives will be available on the Challenge website.

So, the race is on for Hospice of the Bluegrass to attract as many online donors as we can! You can go directly to GoodGivingGuide.net and make your gift to Hospice of the Bluegrass. After making your gift, please tell your friends, family and colleagues about us and the GoodGiving Guide Challenge!

Look for updates about how we’re doing on our website and Facebook page.

Thanks so much for supporting the patients and families served by Hospice of the Bluegrass!

Hospice Care

Oct 062011

Deede Byrne Chief Clinical Officer

Since 1978, Hospice of the Bluegrass has provided quality end-of-life care to terminally ill patients and their families using a comprehensive spectrum of care – from palliative outpatient services to in-home medical services to family and community support. Additionally, grief and bereavement services extend to family members, caregivers and anyone in grief including those whose loved ones were not hospice patients.

Hospice care focuses on maximizing quality of life for individuals with a life threatening illness by providing the most effective medical care to control symptoms and pain while also offering emotional and spiritual support to patients and those who love them. Hospice services include a team of highly trained medical experts that work with the patient and family to identify goals of care and manage bothersome symptoms. Additionally, hospice provides all the medications related to a terminal diagnosis and all the necessary medical equipment an individual may need.

Once a patient is admitted to Hospice, he or she will work with a team of clinical professionals including but not limited to a nurse, social worker, chaplain, bereavement counselor, certified nursing assistant and volunteers. This team of clinicians works closely with the patient’s own physician to provide the best care possible. Additionally, this team visits the patient’s home or current residence to care for an individual and their family.

Hospice care is available for all patients facing any terminal illness and at any age. While some may think of hospice care as only for individuals with cancer, in reality only 43% of HOB patients had cancer as their primary diagnosis in 2010. The leading non-cancer diagnoses include Alzheimer’s/dementia, heart disease, kidney and lung disease.

Some in the community may be surprised to learn that patients and families wish they had known about hospice services sooner in the disease progression. Hospice is not just for the last days of life; it is for the last phase of life. That often begins when a person receives a prognosis that his or her life expectancy is six months or less.

A pervasive myth about hospice care generally is that is can be a financial drain on the patient and family. The truth is that Hospice of the Bluegrass works with Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance. Additionally, no patient is denied care because of a lack of insurance or resources.

Anyone can make a referral – the process begins with a simple phone call. Hospice of the Bluegrass provides care to 32 central, southeastern and northern Kentucky counties. For more information on hospice services or to find a Hospice of the Bluegrass office in your area, visit www.hospicebg.org.

Please share with us any questions you have about Hospice of the Bluegrass and our programs and services.

Older Entries