Summer – September 2013

The Newsletter
from Hospice of Central New York
Our Mission: Comfort Care
Sept. 2013
Many people have no idea how important our team approach to patient care is to ensuring quality care for our
patients and families. The interdisciplinary teams consist of nurses, social workers, chaplains, doctors, bereavement
counselors and specially trained volunteers. Each person on the team can observe the patient and family from different
perspectives and get at the root of a concern before it becomes a major problem.
Our teams provide physical, social, spiritual and emotional care during the last stages of illness, during the dying
process and during bereavement. This appraoch is very successful. In a recent letter the Fielder family expressed
gratitude and appreciation for the Hospice team approach.
"April 25, 2013
Our family would like to express our thanks for all that was done for our mother, June Fielder,
during her illness.
We would especially like to thank Libby for her assistance during the initial meeting. She was very
informative about what we could expect in the days to follow, and she conveyed the
Libby Farranto
information in a very caring manner.
Next, a special thanks to mother’s nurse, John. He took the time to answer any questions we had,
and treated mother with such respect and caring. He stopped by on a couple of occasions just to
check in. In the initial visit, he was able to engage mother in conversations with him.
Then, there was Wanda. A number of people mentioned that she was an “angel”. We totally
John Haylor
agree. She was called one evening when needed. She spent the time with us until we felt
comfortable with the situation; as if mother was the only patient she needed to see that evening.
Wanda was also the nurse who came by the morning that our mother died. She was just so
wonderful! Told us exactly what was going to happen and how to take care of things, i.e., disposing
of drugs. She stayed until we were all ok.
We would also like to commend the home health aides. They came on time, did all that was needed;
again in a very caring way. All of the staff we encountered were so wonderful! They told us over and
Wanda May
over again to be sure to call whenever we needed anything. They stressed how important each and every
patient is to them.
We really cannot thank everyone enough. It was our pleasure to get to know each and every person
who assisted in taking care of our mother during her last days.
Very sincerely,
Donna Fiedler, Diane Koster and Bob Fiedler"
Our thanks to the Fiedler family for this wonderful letter. It’s feedback like this that indicates to us that Central New
York families are looking for more than just professional health care, they are looking for the best experience and service
they can get during a very difficult time. This is what makes Hospice comfort care unique.
Get Ready for FOOD... FUN... FRIENDS... and MUSIC!
Friday, September 20, 2013
Traditions at the Links
6:30 pm to 10 pm
$125 per person
Reserve your place today!
Call 315-634-1100
Make your reservations
online at www.hospicecny.org
FEATURING PRIMETIME HORNS
Many thanks to Hematology
Oncology Associates of Central
New York for supporting Hospice as
our Presenting Sponsor for 2013!
2013 Hospice Open
Thanks to our presenting sponsor
Franciscan Companies and all who
supported this year's Hospice Golf Open.
A great time was had by all (despite a 45 minute
rain delay!) We raised close to $53,000 with the
help of golfers, sponsors and donors just like you.
If you'd like to be on our
2014 Golf Planning Committee,
please contact Elizabeth Christensen
at 315-634-1100.
Have questions about:
Making a donation in
memory of a loved one?
An upcoming Hospice event?
Donating your old
vehicle to Hospice?
Estate planning or bequests?
A donation you’ve made?
Contact the Hospice
Foundation at 315.634.1100!
The Caregiver Crisis
10 Steps for Planning Ahead
When we discuss Advance Directives, Health Care Proxies and
long term health care planning, many people feel overwhelmed.
Hospice of Central New York has put together a ten step process
you can use to get your planning in order.
1. Research the information you need to make
informed choices about end-of-life care.
Women play a huge role when it comes to healthcare.
A 2012 survey* concludes that 66% of caregivers in the
U.S. are women. This responsibility of caregiving usually
takes place after a woman has put around 20 years into
a career. By that point, they are headed for the manager’s
chair, director’s office or a “C” suite. Statistics show
that 70% of caregivers made some job change to accommodate
their caregiving role. Many women see this responsibility
as their way of giving back to a mother, father, aunt or
uncle who has made a difference in their life. Caregiving
for a sick loved one is a true act of love.
If this trend of women caregivers continues to escalate
we at Hospice would be proud to lend our support
to the mothers, wives and daughters who take on this
awesome responsibility with very little help and
recognition.
At Hospice many patients tell us they don’t want to be
a burden on their family, but caring for someone with
advanced illness can be a very stressful time. Having a
long term health care plan in writing before you face a
serious illness helps reduce stress and worry. Studies have
confirmed that people may live longer during their last
stage in life when there is less anxiety.
Hospice can help you with Advance care planning. Hospice
staff will advise, educate and support the family caregiver to resolve any problems while their loved one is
under Hospice care.
*(The National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, Caregiving in the
U.S. National Alliance for Caregiving. Washington, DC(11/12))
Just a Quick Reminder
√ If you are a Central New York snowbird, Hospice would
like to keep you up to date this winter!
Call our Development department at 315-634-1100
and leave your forwarding address and the date you
depart and return from those sunny climates. We will be
happy to forward your Hospice mail to you!
2. Get to know local end-of-life care services that
are available to you such as hospice and palliative
care providers, nursing homes and home health aide
services.
3. Discuss your thoughts, concerns and choices
with your loved ones.
4. Choose a Health Care Proxy who could speak for
you if you are unable to speak for yourself.
5. Talk to your doctor about different treatments
and options including hospice and palliative care.
6. Establish advance directives (writing specifically
about your wishes and what you want for end-of –
life care)
7. Talk to your healthcare proxy, family and doctor
about your choices.
8. Discuss your choices often, especially when your
medical condition changes.
9. Keep your completed advance directives in an
accessible place where others can get to them.
10. Give photocopies of the signed originals to your
healthcare proxy, doctor, family, friends, clergy and
anyone else who might be involved in your healthcare.
This ten step process is focused on healthcare planning.
When it comes to financial matters, we recommend talking
to your attorney and financial planner. After you authorize
a person to be your power of attorney, we recommend that
they too receive an updated copy of your advance directives.
Do you still have questions? Call Hospice of Central New
York at 634-1100.
We Honor Vets
Hospice Talks!
It may surprise many people to learn that 25
percent of those who die every year in the
U.S. are Veterans. To help provide care and
support that reflect the important contributions
made by these men and women, Hospice
of Central New York has become a national
partner of We Honor Veterans, a pioneering
campaign developed by National Hospice
and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in
collaboration with the Department of Veterans
Affairs.
If your group or organization is looking
for a speaker please consider the Hospice
Speakers Bureau. We can offer talks about:
The resources of We Honor Veterans focus on
respectful inquiry, compassionate listening,
and grateful acknowledgment, coupled with
Veteran-centric education of health care staff
caring for Veterans.
Speakers provided at no fee! Call 634-1100
for more information or email us at info@
hospicecny.org.
What is Hospice Care?
Coping with Grief
Advance Directives
Caregiving Options
End-Of-Life Issues
NonProfit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Syracuse, NY
Permit No. 24
As a We Honor Veterans partner, Hospice of
Central New York will implement ongoing
Veteran-centered education for their staff and
volunteers to help improve the care they
provide to the Veterans they proudly serve.
Providing patients and families hope, comfort,
support and healing when there is no cure.
990 Seventh North Street
Liverpool, New York 13088
www.hospicecny.org
Change Service Requested
Volunteers
Call Hospice
Hospice would not and could not run without
volunteers. We have over 200 people who
offer their talents to our agency every year.
Some help with administrative duties. The
majority of our volunteers are what we call
Family Caregivers. These volunteers are
part of a team of health care professionals
working to “de-institutionalize” the dying
experience and provide a more humane system
of care for the dying and their families. In fact,
federal law requires that at least 5% of patient
care hours be provided by volunteers.
√ If you or someone you know faces a lifelimiting illness. We can help you understand
your options for care.
Our administrative volunteers do many other
functions for the agency. Some can be found
in our mail room, board room or on event
committees. Some can only volunteer for an
hour or two a month. Others offer their expertise
on a weekly basis. Hospice appreciates all the
work they do and their positive attitude.
If you are interested in volunteering at Hospice
call 634-1100 and ask for our volunteer
department.
√ If you are grieving the loss of a loved one.
Counseling is available not only to families
that used Hospice but to the entire community.
√ If you have questions about health care
proxies, MOLST or Advance Directives.
√ To make a gift, ensuring that Hospice care
will be available for all who need our services.
315-634-1100
Visit our website at:
www.hospicecny.org