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

Healthcare Reform 101

Healthcare reform can be a sticky subject, filled with politics, legal jargon, and layers of detail. This can make healthcare reform confusing and unapproachable. Don’t run far now that the topic is in front of you here! Blue-Cross Blue-Shield and Walgreens have teamed up to show their commitment to helping people understand Healthcare Reform, specifically the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which took effect back in 2010. Big changes are to come in 2014, so we are helping Blue-Cross Blue-Shield and Walgreens with their efforts by spreading the word here on our blog.

Instead of going into all the details here, visit www.LearnAboutReform.Com and read up on a short description of what the ACA is, how it affects the insured, uninsured and underinsured, and a very informational FAQ that breaks down the information so you know what action to take and what to hold onto as your little FYI (for your information) notes. For example, one Q & A reads:

“What is the new healthcare law? The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law in 2010. It was designed to expand access to and improve the quality of healthcare for Americans. Some of the healthcare changes took effect immediately while others are being phased in over time. Large parts of the law will become effective on January 1, 2014. The biggest effect of the ACA is that people who previously couldn't afford or qualify for coverage will now be able to sign up for health insurance.”

While healthcare reform may seem overwhelming, hopefully, this resource and educational tid-bit will ease your mind and help prepare you for the road ahead. 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

We Love Social Media!

     Hospice of Southern Illinois is always working on ways to show our community involvement and commitment to be with our patients and their loved ones through the changing needs of the end-of-life process and the grief experience. That includes our online community. Read about what we are up to online!

CaringBridge
The newest resource we are promoting is through another nonprofit organization, CaringBridge. This nonprofit refer to themselves, "as an online space where you can connect, share news, and receive support. It’s your very own health social network, coming together on your personalized website... available 24/7 to anyone, anywhere, at no cost."

We want it to be an opportunity for patients, families, and friends of Hospice of Southern Illinois to have another support resource. Several health care organizations recognize www.CaringBridge.org as a reputable source, and encourage their patients and families to utilize it too. We encourage you to check it out: http://www.caringbridge.org/about. Feel free to share it with someone you know who needs it, or create your own if and when you need it! They have two services which you can explore below:

• CaringBridge Sites
  Our personal, protected sites make it easy to stay connected during any type of health event. Family and friends can visit the site to stay informed and leave supportive messages.


• SupportPlanner
  Our SupportPlanner is a calendar that helps family and friends coordinate care and organize helpful tasks, like bringing a meal, offering rides, taking care of pets and other needs.

Social Media
As most of our online community is aware we are on social media, however may not know all the places you can find us online. We want to invite you to all our social media pages because we love social media! It is a great way to learn about you, stay connected, share stories, and give you what you need! We are posting on Facebook and Twitter to connect with the community for updates on hospice news, health care topics, Hospice of Southern Illinois upcoming events, and Hospice of Southern Illinois community involvement. We have a blog page and YouTube channel to educate the community about all topics hospice and Hospice of Southern Illinois. Finally, we have just joined Pinterest as a way to interact with the community and tell stories through pictures. Find us, get to know us, and interact with us so we can be the best we can for YOU!

     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

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!

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June is PTSD Awareness Month - WHV Level III Status Achieved

June is PTSD Awareness Month

            Hospice of Southern Illinois is proud to announce our Level III Partner Status in the We Honor Veterans program, a collaboration between the NHPCO, VA, and community hospices.

            As part of our commitment to the We Honor Veterans program, we are helping raise awareness about PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) because June is PTSD Awareness Month. Our involvement, like many other hospices, ensures Veterans are getting the care they are entitled to and deserve. In addition to the healthcare benefits we offer to all patients, our interdisciplinary hospice team of physician, nurses, social workers, bereavement counselors, CNAs, and volunteers has special training to address the unique and specific physical, social, and emotional needs of Veteran patients and families, which can include PTSD.

            PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and can occur immediately following a traumatic event, or even rise up years later (in the case of a hospice patient, during their final months or days). Our mission is to enhance the quality of life at the end-of-life, so it is our goal to relieve PTSD stress and help them cope with their experiences so they can leave this world free of emotional pain. Below are steps to raising awareness about PTSD in order to identify, relate, and reach out.

10 Steps to Raise PTSD Awareness

1.   Know more about PTSD.
Understand common reactions to trauma and when those reactions might be PTSD.

2.   Challenge your beliefs about treatment.
PTSD treatment can help. We now have effective PTSD treatments that can make a difference in the lives of people with PTSD.

3.   Explore the options for those with PTSD.
Find out where to get help for PTSD and learn how to choose a therapist. Also see our Self-Help and Coping section to learn about peer support and other coping strategies.

4.   Reach out. Make a difference.
You can help a family member with PTSD, including assisting your Veteran who needs care. Know there is support for friends and family too.

5.   Know the facts.
More than half of US adults will experience at least one trauma in their lifetime. How common is PTSD? For Veterans and people who have been through violence and abuse, the number is higher.

6.   Expand your understanding.
Learn about assessment and how to find out if someone has PTSD. Complete a brief checklist or take an online screen to see if a professional evaluation is needed. June 20th is National PTSD Screening Day.

7.   Share PTSD information.
Share handouts, brochures, or wallet cards about trauma and PTSD.

8.   Meet people who have lived with PTSD.
Visit AboutFace, an online gallery dedicated to Veterans talking about how PTSD treatment turned their lives around.

9.   Take advantage of technology.
Download PTSD Coach mobile app and treatment companion apps in the National Center for PTSD's growing collection of mobile offerings.

10.        Keep informed.
Get the latest information about PTSD. Sign up for our PTSD Monthly Update, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Resource is provided by: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/about/ptsd-awareness/steps_raise_awareness.asp

     Please contact Hospice of Southern Illinois to speak with one of our special trained staff members about Veteran specific hospice care or PTSD, or visit http://www.ptsd.va.gov. We will be happy to take the time to get your questions answered. 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

 



Grow St. Louis - Help Your Community

     Hospice of Southern Illinois has been chosen as a finalist in the Monsanto, Grow St. Louis, grant program. We have the opportunity to recieve up to $20,000 with your help! Vote daily through this Sunday to help us continue our mission to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness.

     To vote, visit www.facebook.com/growstlouis. At the top right of the Facebook page there is a button that says, “VOTE HERE”. Click that and accept the terms. After accepting terms, search, “Hospice of Southern Illinois,” click vote, and then share with your friends on Facebook. 
     We cannot say thank you enough to the patients and families who have entrusted us with their care. With opportunities like this, we can say thank you by helping more people and educating more individuals on why hospice care is an important and a beautiful step in the end-of-life journey. We appreicate your support and your vote during this new opportunity!
     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

 

National Nurses Week Is Coming!

It is National Nurses Week May 6^th – May 12^th, help Hospice of Southern Illinois and a variety of other healthcare organizations celebrate the work of the nurses in our communities. Our nurses care for patients and families who are going through a difficult time in their life. They deserve a week designated to recognize their ability to provide outstanding, compassionate care, celebrate their will to go above and beyond, and appreciate the sacrifices they make for their patients and families they serve. Everyone works side by side with nurses every day not only in hospice, but in clinics, schools, hospitals, and more! If a nurse has touched your life in some way, take this designated week to thank them.

In 2013, the American Nursing Association noted the National Nurses Week theme as providing quality and innovation in patient care. “Hospice of Southern Illinois nurses represents the 2013 theme as much as any nursing team could. They not only provide the best care possible, they provide care as an art form and with compassion. Innovation brings our team to a new level. They are always working on new projects, researching new products, and exploring the cutting edge options for end-of-life care. I think so highly of them, I would call them to take care of my own family when that time comes. I think when you recommend your own to take care of your own, it speaks volumes!” says Christine Juehne, Print and Social Media Coordinator.

The history of National Nurses Week dates back to 1953. Each year May 6^th begins the celebration through the 12^th, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Nursing takes a dedicated person with a passion for helping others. They advocate for their patients and passing healthcare regulations, they are leaders in the workplace and community managing the lives of others and taking initiative to make patients and families comfortable, and set the bar for providing compassionate care!

To learn more about National Nurses Week visit www.nursingworld.org. To learn more about Hospice of Southern Illinois or to apply for open nursing positions, visit https://www.hospice.org/how-can-i-support/careers/. Hospice of Southern Illinois is proud to be your community, not-for-profit hospice serving 27 counties in southern Illinois since 1981. If you have any questions call 1-800-233-1708 or visit www.hospice.org. 

Volunteers Recognized as Unsung Heroes

Like every year, we are currently celebrating our volunteers all April long! Something even more special than usual, our volunteers were recognized as Unsung Heroes for their time, dedication, and service to our mission; enhancing the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness. No act of volunteering is too small. Volunteers all have a hospice heart and help with everything from office work to sitting with patients during their last breaths on this earth. Some volunteers are even refered to as angels! Take a glimpse of what volunteering at Hospice of Southern Illinois is all about!


Click Here to Play Video

New Research Validates that Hospice Saves Medicare Dollars

New Research Validates that Hospice Saves Medicare Dollars

NHPCO released an excellent article highlighting a study about the benefits of hospice care and its ability to improve the quality of life. Not only did the article talk about how hospice improves the quality of life, but it also discussed how hospice saves Medicare dollars. Did you know the average person spends about $39,000 on aggressive treatments at the end of life according to CNN Money? Did you know many hospices provide care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay? Sometimes people feel that paying a really high price means they are paying for the best care available when that care may not be what a loved one even wants. How do we decide when aggressive treatment or when quality of life is the route to go?

The NHPCO’s article helps people understand that sometimes less is more in terms of the cost of care. Like previously mentioned, many hospices provide care regardless of patient’s ability to pay and focuses on quality of life rather than length of life. This may strike a question, then how does it save Medicare dollars? Great question! Even when patients are not charged, someone has to cover these services and Medicare is the biggest source of funding for hospice organizations, for-profit and not-for-profits alike. With this said, below are the highlights from the study which can be reviewed in detail, click here.

“Despite its demonstrated potential to both improve quality of care and lower costs, the Medicare hospice benefit has been seen as producing savings only for patients enrolled 53–105 days before death. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, 2002–08, and individual Medicare claims, and overcoming limitations of previous work, we found $2,561 in savings to Medicare for each patient enrolled in hospice 53–105 days before death, compared to a matched, non hospice control. Even higher savings were seen, however, with more common, shorter enrollment periods: $2,650, $5,040, and $6,430 per patient enrolled 1–7, 8–14, and 15–30 days prior to death, respectively. Within all periods examined, hospice patients also had significantly lower rates of hospital service use and in-hospital death than matched controls. Instead of attempting to limit Medicare hospice participation, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should focus on ensuring the timely enrollment of qualified patients who desire the benefit." (Health Affairs, 2013)

(NHPCO 2011 Facts & Figures Report)

            What does this all mean? Overall it means to save money and receive the best care available, when desired, patients should enroll at the earliest time possible into hospice care to receive the overall benefit of the best quality of life possible and saving themselves money, as well as saving Medicare dollars. Keep these facts in mind when hospice touches your life. Call 24/7 to get your questions answered, 1-800-233-1708.

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