Hospice Helps Cardiac Patients

February marks Hearth Month. Hospice of Southern Illinois is advocating for February’s Heart Month to kick off a new initiative to serve our heart patients and their families better now and in the future. This initiative is being led by our Physician Medical Director, Dr. Lynne Nowak, who is available to our nursing and counseling teams 24 hours a day to ensure the best hospice care in the area. Please feel free to learn more about how hospice helps cardiac patients to improve quality of life at the end of life by reviewing the flyer below or calling to speak with someone from our hospice team at 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

When to Call Hospice of Southern Illinois

Patients and families can be exhausted emotionally and physically throughout their end of life journey. Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to help ease the stress associated with terminal illnesses. Feeling hesitant or confused about when to call hospice while utilizing hospice services is completely normal and expected. There are many times we have found that patients and families are unsure when to call, so we have provided a list of the most appropriate times to give us a call; furthermore, if you are unsure whether to call hospice versus the doctor, hospital, ambulance or anyone else, call us first. We can then recommend the next step from there.

Please Call Hospice of Southern Illinois Immediately (800-233-1708):

• any change in patient’s condition
• changes or need for changes in medications
•  if the patient has a fall
• changes in spiritual needs
• patient/family concerns
• at time of death
• changes of medical equipment needs

        We have nurses and counseling services available on-call 24/7/365 to assist you and your loved ones with any questions you may have regarding hospice or a loved one’s end-of-life care. If your request is not urgent, our website www.hospice.org is full of valuable resources and information to assist 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

Myths About Hospice

          Hospice of Southern Illinois wants to wish you a Happy New Year! Will you dive into any superstitions of the New Year like kissing at midnight to ensure ties, eating black-eyed peas for luck and financial freedom, or stocking up the cupboards to guarantee food in the belly all year long? I may not be very superstitious. I think, however, I will partake in these three New Year traditions in hopes they lead me to have a successful 2013.

          The New Year is a wonderful time because people often seek out new opportunities like taking on a healthier life style, finally taking the risk of starting the hobby they always wished they had time for or taking a class to get educated. While on the topic of discussing how one event leads to the cause of another and getting educated, let’s discuss some hospice superstitions and misconceptions. It is common for individuals to hear the word “hospice” and immediately think that by calling hospice it means a loved one is giving up or life will be prolonged or shortened. These are only two of many false superstitions associated with hospice. Other misconceptions include what hospice really does, whom hospice serves and to pay for hospice services. Hospice services provide numerous benefits for patients and their families. Furthermore, hospice can and should lead you to lots of words including some happy ones like comfort, love and respect because our care offers that to individuals and their families who receive our service. Below I have listed a few superstitions and misconceptions, with responses, I often hear during my speaking presentations with community groups.

What does hospice really do?

Hospice of Southern Illinois provides specialized hospice services (patient care, including symptom management, emotional support, spiritual support and psychosocial intervention), addressing issues most important to the patient’s needs and wants at the end of their life focusing on improving the individual’s quality of life.

When should hospice be called?

Hospice should be called at any time the patient has been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. It is appropriate to discuss all of the patient’s care options, including hospice. Patients are eligible for hospice care when they have been diagnosed with a terminal illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less. At that time comfort care and symptom management become the primary focus, and curative treatment is no longer the patient’s choice or option.

Does hospice do anything to bring death sooner?

No. Our goal is always to alleviate suffering and manage symptoms. Hospice does nothing to speed up or slow down the dying process. Our role is to lend support and allow the disease process to unfold as comfortable as possible.

Myth: Hospice care is only for cancer patients.

Truth: Hospice care is for patients with a terminal illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less including but not limited to: Alzheimer’s, cardiac disease, ALS, stroke, liver disease.

Myth: Hospice is just for the elderly.

Truth: Hospice is for all age groups during their final stages of life, including children and adults of all age groups.

Myth: Hospice is just for the patient.

Truth: Meeting the needs of the patient and family is a top priority. The family unit is at the center of all decision making. Hospice recognizes that it takes many caregivers to meet the unique needs of each patient.

Myth: Hospice care is expensive.

Truth: Hospice care is a benefit under Medicare Part A, Illinois Medicaid and most private insurers. Hospice of Southern Illinois provides services regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. 

For more myths, frequently asked questions and other resources about benefits of receiving hospice services at the end-of-life, I encourage you to continue to read on our website and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s website.

https://www.hospice.org/hospice-care/myths-about-hospice/

https://www.hospice.org/hospice-care/what-is-hospice/

http://www.nhpco.org/i4a/pages/Index.cfm?pageid=4642

http://www.caringinfo.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3521

Remember the New Year is all about a new 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

Holiday Tradition

The holidays are a crazy time of year, but also the most wonderful time of year… ok that may have been a little cliché… but it is so true! I have been blessed with some wonderful Christmas memories this year that I don’t normally get to experience. I encourage you to either start new holiday traditions or revisit some old memories as I have done this year. It really helps bring the true spirit of the holidays back (just as we shared and accomplished with #GivingTuesday a couple Tuesday’s ago- in fact lets continue #GivingTuesday all December long!)

-          Visiting old friends you haven’t seen in a while. Social media makes it so easy. I recommend using #friendwithdrawls to drop hints of how bad you miss them!

-          Invite friends and family to attend events that raise money for local not-for-profit organizations to pay it forward- enjoy time with your friends to help others get what they want and need throughout the holidays and all year long like the Annual Red Carpet Gala coming in January in Marion, Illinois.

-          Drive a round and enjoy holiday lights and décor. Try to find the biggest blow up Santa you can find or get distracted by lights that flash to music. Now although not all light shows are this extravagant, this was truly amazing. Back in 2008 it popped up in my inbox and I saved it because I loved it so much! I will bring the best example I have to share with you:

-          Go back and remember all the things you loved as a child and reenact them with your closest friends and family like sliding down the hall with socks on, enjoying advent calendar chocolates, caroling or just exchanging stories about the good ol’ days of quoting every line of Benchwarmers and Home Alone.

-          Play games and the winners get a gift card donated to a local charity in their honor. Outside of just family and friends, this is a great idea to do with your co-workers as a team building experience too!

These are just a couple ways to honor those who have passed, remember those who are with you now, and lay the foundation for the bright future to come. Please share your suggestions to start new traditions, post your memories and explain how you contributed to the true spirit of the holidays.

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

Grief and the Holidays

Grief & the Holidays

Trying to cope with the loss of a loved one during the holiday season is not easy. The holiday season is a naturally stressful time of the year. Spending time with family, cooking, and gift giving can all be very rewarding. However, being surrounded by a lot of people, preparing food, shopping, and wrapping gifts require time and effort.

The grieving process is a natural response to the loss of a significant relationship. During the grieving process and adjustment period following your loss, you can experience a wide range of emotional responses. At times, these emotional responses can be difficult to cope with and understand. Though there is no hard and fast solution to the grieving process. Listed below are some suggestions that may help to ease the stress and minimize the negative emotions people encounter during the holiday season.

1.      Set boundaries on your expectations and other’s expectations.

2.      Have a meeting or discussion with family and friends about holiday plans.

3.      Rehearse how you will respond to difficult situations beforehand.

4.      Observe the day in a way that has meaning for you. 

5.      Make the holiday an opportunity for healing, and day for renewal of your physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

6.      Be Flexible.

7.      Recreate or change traditions. Start something new.

8.      Bring special touches of your loved one to the holiday.

9.      Focus on the concept of gifts and gift giving. Buy a gift for yourself as well as others.

·      What is the gift you were given by your loved one?

·      What did they teach you about life and living?

·      What positive qualities did they bring out in you?

·      What was their purpose for being in your life?

10.  Have a plan.

There are opportunities for grief support available through Hospice of Southern Illinois. If you’d like assistance from a member of our counseling services team, please call (800) 233-1708 and request to speak with a member of our Counseling Services Department. Our counseling services are open to the community and Hospice of Southern Illinois families alike. 

Hospice of Southern Illinois, Counseling Department, facilitates monthly grief support groups on the second Wednesday of each month (3:00- 4:30 p.m.) at Relais Bonne Eau located at 7325 Marine Road, Edwardsville and on the third Wednesday of each month (3:00- 4:30 p.m.) at Garden Place Senior Living located at 351 Lockwood Drive, Red Bud. We also offer a Tree of Life Ceremony to honor and memorialize your deceased loved one. The Tree of Life Ceremony, where families can hang the name of their loved one on the Tree of Life and remember the one they love and lost. This ceremony is held at 3 locations on the first Sunday in December each year.

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

#GivingTuesday

Black Friday? Cyber Monday? … #GivingTuesday! Let me explain this “new day,” because today is the official start of the giving season and you can help spread the word and participate! We all know the history of the biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday. Then the more recent tradition of Cyber Monday was a day added with the popularity of internet shopping and social media. Now there is a day, #GivingTuesday, which is an initiative we anticipate can raise true excitement and joy, even more than the retail stores advertise.

This is the first year for #GivingTuesday. It all started when several foundations and non-profits got together to try and revive the true meaning of the holidays. It’s an initiative help remind people to experience the holidays in a way they may have forgotten. The initiative is to help remind people that it is about more than just shopping and getting good deals; it’s about giving back.

What opportunities are there for #GivingTuesday? Well that is easy! We don’t expect you to stop shopping for your favorite people and closest friends and family, however we do hope you can help us spread the word and participate. The easiest way is share this blog or other posts on your social media sites about #GivingTuesday. 

·        Another great and free way is to give your time and talents to something you are passionate about. Volunteer!

·        Consider the #HungryBears movement like my co-worker Leigh and I did and donate food to your local food pantry. Oh yeah, not just any food. Food you would enjoy for a meal like PB & J or Chicken Fetticcine Alfredo.  

·        Make a donation to your favorite charity, foundation or organization.

·        Get together with friends and be a host for someone less fortunate to brighten their holiday season, child or adult.

·        Donate some clothes, toys and household decorations you no longer use or want that are in good condition.

Hospice of Southern Illinois is excited to support this “new day” and initiative to encourage others to spread the word and participate in giving back. Help us kick off the giving season by donating to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Please visit our website www.hospice.org. We serve patients and families regardless of their ability to pay and it is donations from people like you who enable us to provide excellent hospice care to improve quality of life at the end of life. If Hospice of Southern Illinois is not your organization of choice, we still hope you spread the word and participate in the “new day” that is kicking off the true meaning of the holiday season #Giving Tuesday, giving back and receiving joy. What did you give today? Don't forget to use your Hashtag  #Giving Tuesday when you post today and all holiday season!

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

Questions Regarding Your Loved Ones Pain Management

Questions Regarding Your Loved Ones Pain Management

            Although I am not a nurse, from time to time I get to go and help the patients and their families face to face (rather than from behind my computer like I am now). Normally I blog to our online community, work with other social media and provide community education, but sometimes I help by starting the hospice process.

To start the hospice process, an admission nurse would come to the home or home-like setting after getting certification from a doctor that an individual is appropriate for hospice and evaluate the pain and symptoms of a patient to determine what medications and medical equipment would be necessary to get the patient comfortable as soon as possible. At this time the nurse often gets questions from the family regarding their loved one’s pain. Similarly, when I start the hospice process, I often get the same questions. So today I wanted to address some questions that families often ask during the first visit from a hospice. These same questions may be on the patient and family’s mind before even calling hospice and these answers may help a patient and their family decide it is ok to call hospice.

As you may notice, most answers are simply answered by answering the following questions; does this help the patient get comfortable and help get pain under control related to the terminal diagnosis? If the answer to the question above is yes, then often times the answer to the actual question will also be yes (but the patient, nurse and Medical Director will make the final decisions).

• Is an oxygen tank an option while enrolled in a hospice program?
• Yes, oxygen is always an option; especially if this will help make the patient more comfortable (hospice’s focus is comfort measures, rather than curative treatment).
• Can current medications be continued while enrolled in a hospice program?
• Yes, current medications can be continued, however the nurse and Medical Director will have to evaluate on a case by case basis whether these medications are in the best interest for the patients’ plan of care, which is determined by the patient and family. In fact, some current medications could be covered under the hospice benefit.
• What types of IVs are used while enrolled in a hospice program?
• IVs (intravenous method) are used for several reasons in hospice and sometimes they are not used at all depending on the needs and wants of a patient. One reason they are used is to distribute medicine (sometimes taking medicine in alternate ways like orally can be less painful for the patient). Another reason to use IVs is for fluid intake, which at times is necessary and at other times may not be necessary or even wanted (the nurse and Medical Director will decide on a case by case basis if IVs are needed based on the patients’ needs and wants).
• Can feeding tubes be continued while enrolled in a hospice program?
• Yes, feeding tubes can be continued as long as the patient is currently on a feeding tube and it will help keep them comfortable (for providing wanted nutrition) and pain free. It is recommended if a feeding tube is preferred by a patient, they should get one before enrolling in the hospice program because they are rarely provided by the hospice benefit.

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 Hospice Month

     That is what National Hospice Month is all about: raising awareness about what to expect during an end-of-life journey and get individuals the care they deserve providing comfort, love and respect. National Hospice and Palliative Care Month is in November and we are working with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization to help spread the message about how hospices can provide comfort, love and respect through their services.
     The most important thing for people to understand during national hospice month (and always for that matter) is that when it is time to call hospice, hospice is here to help patients and families figure out what to expect during this end-of-life journey. Hospice is a special health care option, here to make sure patients and families are having the best quality of life at end-of-life. A team of professionals will come into the home or home-like setting and provide compassionate care for the individual with a prognosis of 6 months or less to live. Now understand, if someone outlives that 6 month criteria, a doctor will assess the individual again on their pain and symptoms associated with the terminal diagnosis. If the individual still has a prognosis of 6 months or less, they are still eligible for our services beyond the 6 month criteria. This journey does not have to be experienced alone. Call a local hospice to find out how and where people can get the comfort, love and respect they deserve.
     One way a hospice can show comfort, love and respect is through patient centered care. The patients' wishes and needs are the most important piece of the circle of care. Another way, is relieving the stress of care giving by being another type of caregiver who is available for on-call support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Finally (but not last), hospices provide special training and programs to patients and families to ensure they are receiving the best quality care at the end-of-life to feel comfort, feel love and feel respect. Although only a few ways to show comfort, love and respect are listed, there are so many ways hospice organizations can show this to patients and families.
          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

MY HERO Online Photo Storybook

     November, recognized as National Hospice Month, is a big month for us. It is a whole month dedicated to spreading awareness about Hospice of Southern Illinois' mission to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness. Not only is it important to discuss how a better quality of life can impact the patient and everyone around them, but it is also important to discuss programs, resources and benefits people are entitled to and eligable for. This is where November becomes an even bigger deal than normal.

     November also celebrates veterans and the sacrifices they made on Veterans Day. In 2011, we began a partnership with We Honor Veterans, a partnership with the NHPCO and the VA educates our staff about the unique needs of veterans and their families. Part of that education in the partnership includes getting Veterans and their families in touch with the right people to help them and help them understand benefits they can recieve that they are not currently getting.

     To celebrate National Hospice Month, our mission, Veterans Day and the We Honor Veterans partnership, we have created the MY HERO Online Photo Storybook, which highlights heroic service men and service women and will be launched on November 1, 2012. The MY HERO Online Photo Storybook will include submitted photos and a one-paragraph story in a Facebook Photo Album. Photos and stories can be submitted by 10/29 for a chance to win $100 gift card or after 10/30 to just be added to the Facebook Photo Album which will share and preserve the awesome strories from service men and service women in the communities we serve. {Click Here To Tweet This Info To A Friend}

     To learn more about Hospice of Southern Illinois or our efforts in spreading awareness about National Hospice Month and We Honor Veterans please call 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

(First Entry from Julie Eastwood)

Fulfilling a patient wish

Click Here Watch Donnie & River's Adventure

     A grandfather, Donnie, wanted to leave a gift for his grandson, River, and family. Our doctor, Dr. Lynne Nowak, and I took Tuesday, September 18th as an afternoon to fulfill Donnie's wish. The adventure began at a friend, Bruce's, hunting ground, where Hospice of Southern Illinois' team captured the moments of Donnie, Dal (his son), and River (his grandson) on film on a dove hunt for him to pass along his legacy as a caring, loving and warm-hearted grandfather who has a passion for hunting and family!

     Enjoy the video Hospice of Southern Illinois has put together for him and his family of the dove hunting adventure they took at Fly-Way Sporting Goods in East Carondelet, Illinois. "It is moments and opportunities like this one that bring us back to why we do what we do. I was honored and inspired to get to spend time with Donnie and his family on Tuesday," says Christine Juehne, Print and Social Media Coordinator at Hospice of Southern Illinois.

     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