Hospice of Southern Illinois Saves the Day

At Hospice of Southern Illinois, the community education team is always thinking of new ways to educate the community and spread our mission, to enhance the quality of life of individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness. We never thought this nifty little item would save the day for one of our fellow community healthcare providers. It just shows the power of a  little burgundy and a phone number. Thank you Kim for sharing your great story with our readers!

A little over a year ago, Hospice of Southern Illinois came by my office to drop off a very cute business card holder that was to attach to the back of my phone.  I almost didn’t put it on, because I was just sure I wouldn’t use it to tell the truth!  I did, and then off I went.

A few weeks later, I went to Colorado for a little vacation.  My best friend  and I had a fantastic week. On the last full day we had we took a picnic up the mountain!  We stopped and took picture of little creeks, elk, and deer all along the way.  It was a perfect day, until we got to her house. I was packing to leave for the next day.  I went to get my phone to call my children, and guess what? No phone!!!  I was frantic, of course, and looked all over – the house, my pockets, the car, driveway, etc.  Nothing.  We got back in the car and drove back up the mountain and spent two hours retracing our steps until it was dark.

The next day, I called my phone service and had it turned off.  We were just about to leave for some coffee when I remembered the lovely business card holder on the back of my phone!  I called them from my friend’s phone and explained my situation.  All of a sudden, the woman on the other end starting laughing!  She said “Well, you’re not going to believe this, but we just got a call from a woman in Colorado who has your phone!!! She left her number in case you called!”  Needless to say, I was thrilled!  I called her and we agreed to meet about halfway, which was about 45 minutes away.  Unfortunately, it did turn out that she found it on her PRIVATE lane that we had driven up just to get some pictures (ok, blame it on the wine!), but she thought it was such a good story that she only said, “You’re lucky I didn’t see you that day when I had my gun!”  Yikes! 

 
Happy ending with this happy girl and her FABULOUS business card holder from Hospice of Southern Illinois!

 

Kim Patterson,

Guest Blogger from The Colonnade Senior Living

 

 

 

 

What does compassionate care mean?

"Compassion" is a word that is used commonly to describe hospice care. But what does compassion really mean? According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, “compassion is a feeling of wanting to help someone who is sick, hungry, in trouble, etc.” Hospice care provides just that. With a mission “to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness," compassion defines the mission of Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Compassion is the person who visits a family in crisis at 2 a.m. Compassion is a person who stays an extra hour to calm a worried child. Compassion is holding someone’s hand when no one else is there. Hospice of Southern Illinois wants to help our patients and families. Here are some examples describing how Hospice of Southern Illinois provides compassionate care:

·         Patients and families are our number one priority. We have special programs, like the We Honor Veterans partnership, to extend to patients and families to give them a personalized hospice experience catered to their needs and wishes.

·         Physicians work together to make sure patients’ wishes are carried out.

·         Nurses take time to educate patients and families about giving medications, how to care for a patient in their home, and what to expect in the future, which can relieve patients’ pain and reduce some families’ fear.

·         Social Workers/Counselors prepare patients and families for the stress and emotions that are in the journey ahead. They lend a listening ear to concerns and feelings at any stage of the end-of-life journey.

·         Bereavement counselors, in addition to routine follow-up after the loved one's death, reconnect with families on special occasions and holidays, because those times can be especially hard for people who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

·         Volunteers offer companionship and can allow for caregiver relief so the family can function as a unit and stay united during a difficult time.

·         Support staff works hard to make sure patients and families get the care they are entitled to regardless of age or ability to pay through education, community involvement, fundraising, and supporting daily operations.

Compassionate care is a team effort that takes passionate, dedicated and warm people. These people work together to provide the best end of life care possible, so no one goes through the dying process alone.

There comes a time... for compassionate care.  

Learn about Hospice of Southern Illinois, getting hospice services, and having your questions answered. Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 800-233-1708 or visit our website for more information, www. hospice.org.

(Reference: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compassion) 

Why Does Hospice of Southern Illinois Fundraise?

“Why does Hospice of Southern Illinois hold so many fundraisers?” is common question from people within the community, agree Jennifer Vinyard and Kathy Wilson, Event Coordinators for Hospice of Southern Illinois.  Most of our events are brought to us by individuals or organizations in the community who have experienced the loss of a loved one and who want to show appreciation for the care that was provided. 

Your gift makes a difference.  There is no gift too small.  Fundraisers and community support are additional resources that allow us to continue providing the highest quality end-of-life care regardless of a patient and family’s ability to pay for hospice care.



How can you help?  Attend fundraisers…Share events…Sponsor…Donate…Host an event…Volunteer

Click here to check out upcoming events at Hospice of Southern Illinois!

To speak with someone in the Development Department for more information,
please call 1-800-233-1708.

National Volunteer Week

April 6-12, 2014 is National Volunteer Week.  This week was established in 1974, to recognize the extraordinary individuals who volunteer their time and great effort to help others.  This week raises national attention and awareness on the importance and the impact volunteers have in the community.

Hospices and hospice facilities are greatly dependent on the generosity and dedication of volunteers due to the countless hours they give back. According to the Hospice Foundation of America, there are more than 468,000 hospice volunteers throughout the U.S. Hospice of Southern Illinois has over 400 volunteers that donate their time and talents helping with a variety of projects, tasks, and jobs within the organization.

At Hospice of Southern Illinois, each hospice volunteer goes through orientation and training before working

with our employees and with hospice patients. Our volunteers come from many different backgrounds and from a variety of different ages. These volunteers may help support patients, families, the hospice home, Relais Bonne Eau, and clinical and clerical employees, including the community and development departments.

Our volunteers are extremely important to our organization and are never left unrecognized for their giving souls and hospice hearts. So, help us and other organizations celebrate, honor, and thank each volunteer for the work they provide, expecting nothing in return. Cheers to Hospice of Southern Illinois volunteers and all volunteers who help make the world a better place!

 

Celebrating 40 Years of Hospice Care

Hospice of Southern Illinois, The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), and hospices across the United States are celebrating 40 years of hard work to make hospice care a success in the United States! The word hospice is derived from the word “hospitality,” which is a place of shelter for weary or ill travelers on a long journey. The development of hospice care has been its own journey, one that strong leadership, determination and volunteerism has allowed end-of-life care to flourish.

Physician Dame Cicely Saunders began her work with the terminally ill in 1948, and later established the first modern hospice in London, St. Christopher’s Hospice. In 1963, she brought the idea of hospice to the United States as a request from Florence Wald, the dean of the Yale School of Nursing. Wald became inspired to travel and learn the benefits of hospice care, eventually starting the first U.S program, Connecticut Hospice, in Bradford in 1974. Her work began a revolution of end-of-life care with facilities spreading throughout the United States.

After talking to two employees at Hospice of Southern Illinois, they expressed, “Hospice is important because it brings opportunities for closure for spiritual, emotional, and

physical comfort for patients and their families,” explains Roberta Baldwin, Intake Nurse. Lisa Phillipson, Community Education Manager, added, “Hospice education is important because it spreads awareness. You may not have a lot of knowledge about hospice care. We are helping with emotional and physical pain of our patients and families and educating the community on what comes next with end-of-life care. When you know what is next, things don’t seem quite as scary. At the end of the day when we have done our job right, the patients and families can breathe a sigh of relief and worry about being a family or friend, while we take care of their loved one.”

Hospice of Southern Illinois Circle of Care

Hospice care is so complex, but so simple all in the same. All hospices are regulated by Medicare Guidelines to provide a certain level of care.  Yet each hospice provides individualized care based on the patients’ end-of-life wishes. For this reason, there are many components that make up hospice care. These complex components all work together to make hospice care simple. How can that be? Describing hospice care as a full circle helps paint the picture of how it all works.

Medical directors, physicians, registered nurses, hospice aides, social workers, bereavement counselors, and volunteers make up the outer ring of the circle.  The outer ring builds the foundation for the support and care involved with hospice. The simplicity lies in the center of the circle, the hospice patient. All support and care provided is focused around the needs and wants of the patient at the end of life. Surrounding the patient are the family and friends who make the wishes known and supports the patient through the physical, emotional and spiritual needs through the end-of-life journey.

The end-of-life journey can bring changes in the patient’s physical or emotional condition, patient and family concern, changes in medication, changes in emotional or spiritual needs, or need for medical equipment and supplies. These changes are why hospice care is so important. The hospice team works together to meet these needs. Further, hospice care and the hospice team have the expertise about what to expect at the end of life.  Hospice of Southern Illinois’ Team has compassion for an individual’s dignity, and the experience of working with others who are going through the same things. Hospice services are so unique because they can provide all of these benefits with the help of so many, to those who need it when they are ready, patients and families at the end of life. This is why hospice care is complex, but simple all in the same: unique with so many parts, but simply for patients who need the individualized hospice care.

Help us share, educate, and reach out by subscribing to our blog and suggesting it to friends who will spread our message: Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.

Live well, laugh often, and love much,

Christine Juehne

Hospice of Southern Illinois

Community Education

1-800-233-1708

www.hospice.org

Making Choices About Hospice

Making Choices About Hospice

What is hospice?

Hospice is a special healthcare option for patients and families faced with a terminal illness.

Hospice care is for patients who have a terminal illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less; those who are no longer receiving curative treatment; have a focus on pain and symptom management with the goal of enhancing the quality of life.

Hospice is a team that takes many people to meet the unique needs of each patient, including the patient, the family, physicians, nurses, hospice aides, social workers, counselors, and trained volunteers.

Why choose hospice care?

Hospice specializes in control of pain and other symptoms so patients and families can focus on making the most of the time they have left together. When a person is diagnosed with a terminal illness, family and friends share their illness. Counselors can assist patients and families, with not only the physical pain and symptoms, but emotional and spiritual needs too.

Not all hospices are the same. All hospices have a set of guidelines and regulations to follow, but beyond those each hospice, just like a doctor’s office or pharmacy, have specific services and programs to better assist their patients and families to provide them with the individualized care they deserve.

Who pays for hospice?

Hospice is covered under Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance company’s. Some hospices have programs or accept donations or memorials to help provide care regardless of ability to pay.

Where is hospice care provided?

Hospice care is provided in the setting that best meets the need of the patient and family. People often think hospice is a place; actually, hospice is a service that comes to the patient and is provided in the home or home-like setting, including Private Home, Home Care, Nursing Home Care, Assisted Living, Hospice Home (like Relais Bonne Eau), or Inpatient Hospital Care.

When is it time to call hospice?

The best time to learn about hospice is before it is needed. Understanding the healthcare options, the hospice process, and end-of-life journey before it happens can relive lots of anxiety and stress that can be associated with death. Most hospices provide educational presentations or will meet with no obligation to answer any questions individuals have.

Making a referral is appropriate when the patient has a terminal illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less, wants comfort care rather than curative treatment, or curative treatment is no longer the choice or option of the patient. Hospice is a service provided to individuals with many diagnoses. Cancer patients are most known to call hospice, but hospice care can benefit those dealing with all end-stage diseases, including heart disease, lung disease, Alzheimer’s, stroke, AIDS, and others. Referrals to hospice can be made by physicians, social workers, discharge planners, nursing home employees, family members, friends, clergy, and patients.

Too often referrals are not made until the patient has uncontrolled symptoms or is near death. Although hospice can do much to assist at this time, the patient and family can benefit more if hospice is called early in the end-of-life journey. No one has to die alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help. Call 1-800-233-1708 to speak with a member of our team to talk about any questions concerning hospice care, our expertise since 1981. 

Every day Is A Bonus

Hospice of Southern Illinois joined the We Honor Veterans program not knowing how we could better serve the veteran population. Yesterday was the perfect example of why we became a partner and how to show appreciation to Veterans who have served this country. In honor of National Hospice Month and Veteran’s Day, Hospice of Southern Illinois sponsored Honor Flight The Movie. Honor Flight The Movie, a heartwarming documentary about living WWII Veterans who were privileged to go to the WWII memorial at no cost due to efforts by the Honor Flight Network, is undefined by words.

Not only did we show the movie, but also so many organizations and companies came together to make this a day to remember with lots of pomp and circumstance. Veterans, admitted into the movie at no cost thanks to the Veteran Corps of America, were escorted on a red carpet by ROTC members and Hospice of Southern Illinois' volunteers. They were then provided free popcorn and soda due to generous donations. Finally, they were greeted as they entered the Wehrenberg O’Fallon 15 Cine theater. They attended a powerful ceremony filled with special guests, patriotic music, and celebrations of each branch of service (click here to watch a clip). After the ceremony, Honor Flight The Movie played, which to describe in words was emotional, triumphant, and epic. Our hearts melted for every Veteran and their family who stood in front of us that day and who we have known or lost throughout the years.

(Honoring the Branches of Service)

(Left: Our own Kim Oplet, Marine and Hospice of Southern Illinois Employee. Right: ROTC Color Guard)

(Last photo before the movie started.)

            Several said, “It was the best movie I have ever seen!” A Veteran shared, “I went on the Honor Flight. This movie was…(pause with a big smile) just like I remembered it.” Others only locked eyes and no words were needed. We feel this event was the perfect celebration and educational opportunity we could have offered as a commitment to the We Honor Veterans program.

            A special thank you to all the Veterans, donors, volunteers and attendees who made the day possible. It was a big day and for those Veterans who won’t or can’t attend the WWII memorial in Washington D.C., we hope we made this day as special to you as it was to give it. As Joe Delmer, WWII Veteran, put it, “Every day is a bonus.” Let this be a reminder of why we celebrate Veterans Day and all the sacrifices that were made because freedom is never free. 

          For more photos from the day click here. For information how to apply to get on an Honor Flight, become a guardian, or make a donation visit: http://www.honorflight.org/faq/. To support Hospice of Southern Illinois' efforts to provide end-of-life care to Veterans in your community, contact our development team at 1-800-233-1708. 

Happy Veterans Day from Hospice of Southern Illinois 

Veteran Story - Eugene Scroggins

Meet Eugene, a patient at Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Hospice of Southern Illinois met Eugene a short time ago when his doctor recommended hospice to help him through his end-of-life journey due to terminal cancer. Eugene is just like many of us. He is full of love for his spouse, family, and dog, Miko. He smiled at little jokes I cracked and give me a hard time when I told him to share his life story in about 30 seconds for the video he was helping us with stating, “I can’t raise up a farm in 30 seconds”. Although Eugene is like us in many ways, he is, however, dealing with what we will all experience someday in life, our end-of-life journey.

I sure hope I can be as strong, positive, and humble as this man. He is also a proud Veteran. Hospice of Southern Illinois hopes Eugene’s story will help other Veterans and individuals with a terminal illness understand that hospice can help people be pain free, relieve some day-to-day stress and anxiety, and keep them in their home or home-like setting through their final days. Learn more about Eugene’s story.

Eugene, also known as Gene, was born and raised on a farm in Bunker Hill. Gene, a proud Veteran, served in the Navy from June 1951 to June 1955. Because he was getting close to the drafting age, he joined following in his brothers’ footsteps. He spent most of his service on the USS Albuquerque PF-7 in Korea. Years after he returned home to family and friends, he met his wife Shirley years later at a local diner.  

Gene had a job hauling milk from the local farmers to the dairy. During his route to the Collinsville dairy he would stop at a drive-in called Pat’s Restaurant, which Shirley’s parents owned. She’d hop into the truck and they would chat over lunch. Their first official date was in “1956… or was 1957” - Gene challenges due to the fact that it was New Year’s Eve. Gene and Shirley have lived a full life full of unexpected moments and wonderful blessings including 4 boys of their own, who are all over the world, and 2 grandchildren, who unfortunately are no longer with them. Today they are settled on a 3-acre home with their Chihuahua, Miko, and enjoy their peaceful property and large garden.

            Gene shared that he feels hospice is keeping him pain free and at home with those closest to him. He wants other Veterans and people to know that Hospice of Southern Illinois “has a lot of love and care for their patients.” He added leaning into Shirley, “and hospice saves a lot of wear and tear on her body and mine too.” They not only turn to hospice for support, but they also rely on their church family. They left us with a quote they live by everyday, “You are not discouraged unless the situation you face seems bigger than the god you serve – how big is your God?” They stressed to always tell those you love that you love them with all your heart, for it could be the last time you see them.

Thank you, Gene, for your service and for sharing your story! Gene’s story will always be remembered and that story will help reassure others that when treatment is no longer a choice or an option, Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to help.

Hospice of Southern Illinois
1-800-233-1708
www.hospice.org

Advance Directives, DNR, POLST: What does it all mean?

Advance Directives, DNR, POLST: What does it all mean?



     It can be difficult and overwhelming to discuss end of life choices. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help you navigate the tangled web of information surrounding all these issues and be a resource for people who need assistance making healthcare decisions. It is best to do this sooner, rather than later, so you are not called upon to make these decisions during a time of crisis. When people hear the terms Advanced Directives, or DNR, they tend to think of death and terrible circumstances. It doesn’t have to be that way. Planning for your future should make it easier for you and your family to have some control and to have a plan at a difficult time. Let us help by defining some of the terms and also to explain the newest type of Advance Directive called the POLST form.

     Advanced Care Planning involves discussing your wishes for end of life care and defining a set of legal documents stating those wishes. This includes a Healthcare Power of Attorney (POA) and a Living Will. These are also called Advance Directives. These documents clarify what you or your loved one would want to happen, if you became critically ill. In other words, if you should stop breathing or your heart would stop, what would you want done to you. Not everyone is comfortable discussing these issues. They should be discussed with your physician. You should understand what you are talking about and when these documents become effective. Among the forms being discussed are the Do Not Resuscitate Form (DNR) and a newer form called the POLST form. DNR forms differ from state to state and primarily deal with the patient’s wishes if they have no pulse (their heart stops). It directs the health care providers to either Do or Not Do CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) in the event of death.  POLST stands for Physician’s Order for Life Sustaining Treatment. It is becoming widely accepted in many states.  The purpose of developing the new POLST form was twofold: First, to standardize a DNR form from state to state that would be universally accepted; Second, to help direct care before CPR is needed, and to know the wishes of the patient at a time of medical crisis. All healthcare professionals in Illinois are now being taught how to discuss, help implement and accept the POLST form. It will eventually replace the DNR form but is just becoming known in this region. If you have a DNR form you do not need to have a POLST form, but you may be asked about it.

     The DNR form is still widely available and it is still being accepted as a legal document.  However, it limits the authority to act to a time when the patient actually dies, in other words, when their heart stops. It does not give instructions if you are critically ill, or for instance, you might require long term ventilation support and/or tube feeding/artificial food and hydration to survive.  We would like to explain the new POLST form in more detail.

·         The first difference is that it has one section (A) for CPR;

·         The second section (B) is for Medical Interventions and the extent you wish –(If you are critically ill but still have a pulse) to be treated.  It defines the following terms/levels of care;  

      - Comfort Measures to relieve pain and suffering;

      - Somewhere in the middle, you may want “Limited Additional Intervention” for IV Fluids and less invasive airway support like CPAP or BiPap, (external devices that assist with breathing);

     -  Or would you want to be Intubated and Mechanical Ventilation started; You would likely be sent to the Intensive Care Unit and everything would be done, per your wishes;

·         The 3^rd section (C) allows you to choose if you would want artificial food by feeding tube or just to be fed by mouth if possible, No Artificial Feeding, if you cannot take food by mouth;

·         Section D is for documentation of the person who signs the form: yourself, Parent, Health Care Power of Attorney; or Surrogate decision maker;

·         Section E if for the Attending Physician to sign. This document is not complete unless your Attending Doctor signs it;

·         The back of the form is optional and revolves around other forms you may have and who helped the patient fill out the form.

     When completed, any or all of your Advance Directives should be filled out and kept in a place where you can get to them quickly. Make copies and give one to your physician, your family members and possibly your closest friends.

     For more information or for help filling out these forms: Go to the following links:

http://www.caringinfo.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3287

http://www.cecc.info/resource-links/physicians-order-for-lifesustaining-treatment-polst

http://www.caringinfo.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?/pageid=3383

    

     Help us share, educate, and reach out by subscribing to our blog and suggesting it to friends who will spread our message: Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.



Big Announcement: Honor Flight The Movie is Coming to a Theater Near You!

Big Announcement:

Honor Flight 

is Coming to a Theater Near You!

Sunday, November 10, 2013

(Tickets on sale October 8, 2013)

Wehrenberg O'Fallon 15 Cine

2:00 p.m.

    

     Hospice of Southern Illinois is excited to announce that we are sponsoring the film, Honor Flight, a heartwarming documentary about four living WW II veterans and a Midwest community coming together to give them a trip of a lifetime, a visit to the World War II memorial in Washington D.C.

     Mark your calendar to view Honor Flight with Hospice of Southern Illinois on November 10, 2013 at Wehrenberg O'Fallon 15 Cine (tickets go on sale October 8th). Watch this 2 minute preview and read more about the story behind the film, http://www.honorflightthemovie.com/.

     Please contact Lisa Phillipson, 618-235-1703 or lphillipson@hospice.org, if you want to be on the pre-sale list; tickets are $10. Check out our Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/hospiceofsouthernillinois for updates as we get more information! Hospice of Southern Illinois is committed and proud to be your community not-for-profit hospice taking strides to better serve Veterans and their families. This is just another way we can say thank you to the heroes who have served us!

* * * * *