the Helping Michael Find His Voice

Newsletter of Angela Hospice Spring 2012
the
Inside:
Helping Michael
Find His Voice
Angela Hospice nurse Karen Cafeo with patient
Michael Simmons and his mother Dixie Simmons.
attached, then point the laser at words on a communication board using slight movements of their head.
Excited, Karen enlisted the help of her husband,
John, an engineer, to figure out how to pull the
communication device together. Karen began looking
for parts. At an office supply store, she found class 2
laser pointers which would be safest for patients and
their families to use, to avoid damage to their eyes
If Karen Cafeo was not a nurse, she just might be
from the laser. Assembly of the device also required
an inventor. Or a detective.
a battery pack, four double-A batteries, electrical tape
The home care nurse, who has been with Angela
and zip cord or speaker wire. Karen then researched
Hospice for two years now, works diligently at coming
communication charts that would be most helpful for
up with ways to make life easier for her patients.
Michael, and found one she thought would be useful,
She often spends time on the computer figuring out
then customized the board, adding terms that would
devices that have helped others, and adapting what
specifically be helpful to Michael. For example, she
she finds for her own patients.
added his wife’s name, mom’s name and dog’s name.
Recently, Karen, who has more than 25 years of
Once Karen and John learned how to do it, the
experience, developed a tool to help a patient with
laser-mounted device was created
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
in an hour and a half, Karen says,
to continue to communicate his
and handcrafted for about $40.
needs. People with the progressive
When she brought out the device
neurological disorder, also known as
and showed it to Michael, “he got
Lou Gehrig’s disease, are not able
this big grin” she said.
to send messages from their brain
Michael’s wife was not home at
to their muscles, and their muscles
the time, so the first thing he wrote
become paralysed as a result. But
using his board was: “Mom, I love
the mind of these patients remains
you.”
intact so they are aware of what is
His mother, Dixie, hugged him
happening to them.
and cried.
Karen’s patient, 45-year-old
Michael has used the communiMichael Simmons, lives with his
cation
tool regularly ever since, and
wife and mother. Initially, both
now Angela Hospice’s maintenance
could interpret what Michael was
coordinator, Jonathan Russell, is
trying to say when he uttered
strained, throaty noises, but their Using a laser device handcrafted by his creating similar devices for other
ability to do so was waning. Michael nurse and a personalized communication ALS patients.
Karen’s determination has made
had been unable to use conventional board, Michael Simmons can now
communication tools already on the communicate with his wife and mother. her a sort of hero to her patients
and their families. The industrious
market. Karen watched as Michael
nurse never has a patient with a need she doesn’t try
simply gave up trying to be heard.
to address. Karen admits she enjoys the challenge, the
Karen felt hopeless and frustrated herself. “With
research, and the invention.
patients with ALS, there’s always something that I
For example, Karen recently showed her fellow nurses
feel helpless about,” she said. “But I kept thinking…
how she had specially adapted a piece of clothing for
there’s got to be something out there.”
wheelchair bound patients – another idea she found
Karen started searching the web for communication
on the internet and fashioned for a patient.
tools, focusing on patients with ALS. She found an
“I’m like the MacGyver of home care,” she says,
article by Margaret Cotts that caught her eye.
laughing. “I’ve always got to figure out something
In it, Cotts describes an inexpensive, easily made
that’ll work.”
device that enables ALS patients to communicate:
Who knows what Karen will come up with next?
patients wear lightweight glasses or a cap with a laser
2
Message from the President
Financial Statement
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2011
Dear friends,
I am happy to present our
Annual Report to you. I know
you will be pleased to see that
your support has yielded great things in the past
year, and you can feel proud of what you have
helped to make possible!
As you review this report, I hope you will see
it as more than facts and figures. Sometimes
numbers may seem dry, but remember that each
number here represents a rich story of someone
who was touched by Angela Hospice’s care.
Whether it is a son or daughter breathing a sigh
of relief, confident they’ve found the best care
for their parent; or a mother who has gathered
treasured keepsakes of her child’s short life.
Maybe it’s a grandfather, finally free from pain so
he can enjoy his loved ones’ company again.
We are blessed to do very special work here at
Angela Hospice. I hope you took a moment to
read our cover story – a wonderful example of the
dedication of our compassionate staff, who are
truly passionate about the people they care for.
Most of all, I hope this report inspires you. I
pray you’ll be moved by the sense of what you’ve
helped to accomplish, and be invigorated to
continue doing beautiful things for God!
Assets
Current Assets
Property and Equipment - Net
Other
Total Assets
$ in thousands
$
3,503
20,222
1,545
$ 25,270
Liabilities & Net Assets
Current Liabilities
Long-Term Debt (Less Current Portion)
Total Liabilities
Net Assets
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total Net Assets
Total Liabilities & Net Assets
Summary of Activities
Net Patient Revenue
Direct Care & Administrative Expenses
Operating Loss prior to Contributions
& Fundraising
$
$
$
$
$
1,708
2,862
4,570
18,982
1,718
20,700
25,270
15,637
17,627
(1,990)
Net Unrestricted Contributions &
Fundraising
1,457
Net Loss
(533)
Contributions Restricted for New Building
Increase in Net Assets
$
1,752
1,219
Net Patient Services 90.7%
Grants 0.5%
Memorials & Donations 6.8%
Fundraising 1.8%
Other 0.2%
Gratefully,
Unrestricted
Sister Mary Giovanni
President/CEO
Revenue
General/Management 15.3%
Fundraising 0.7%
Patient Care 84.0%
Expenses
Angela Hospice Programs of Care
Hospice Home Care
When an individual receives a terminal diagnosis, hospice
home care can enhance their life, keeping them pain-free
and enabling them to spend precious time with their
family and loved ones. The Angela Hospice caregiving
team develops a personalized care plan based on the needs
of the patient and family. Through regular visits and
24-hour on-call support, the hospice team is always available
to answer questions and provide assistance. Angela Hospice
works with the family caregivers to provide day to day care
for their loved one, and assists with providing medication,
supplies, equipment, and additional help as needed.
Families often remark how they wish they had started
Angela Hospice care sooner.
My Nest is Best Pediatric Program
Designed for children facing a terminal illness, the goal of
this program is to keep children in the comfort of their own
home, where they feel safe and happy, and are surrounded
by the family and friends who love them. Through personal
visits and consultation, the pediatric hospice team provides
expert medical care aimed at keeping the child alert and
comfortable, helping them to live as fully as possible; while
offering supportive care to the child’s family.
Prenatal Hospice Program
When parents are facing the knowledge that their unborn
baby may not survive, they can turn to the Angela Hospice
Prenatal Hospice Program for support. Developed as a
continuation of My Nest is Best, the prenatal hospice
program addresses the emotional and physical needs of
parents before their baby is born, and helps them to cope
with the prognosis that the baby may have a serious illness
or may not survive. Working directly with the family and
the mother’s physician, the prenatal team will develop a
birthing plan, discuss infant medical care, offer counseling
and bereavement support.
Volunteer Services
Angela Hospice volunteers are special people. They give
freely of their time and talents to help others. Volunteers
provide a number of services that support Angela Hospice
patients, families, and staff, including: companionship,
respite care, clerical and administrative activities, help with
meals, assistance in the Care Center, fundraising and event
hospitality, grief support, and more. All volunteers first
complete a comprehensive training program.
Angela Hospice Care Center
Though the heart of hospice philosophy is caring for
people in the warmth of their own home, the Angela
Hospice Care Center provides a beautiful home-like
environment, with hands-on medical care available
around the clock, for people who are without a
primary caregiver, or are not able to remain at home.
Patients enjoy the comfort of a private room where
family can visit 24-hours a day. Angela Hospice
also works with area nursing homes and hospitals,
providing hospice care to residents in these facilities.
Bereavement Care
Our wonderful bereavement team provides
supportive care and counseling to family members
and loved ones for 13 months following a death, or
as long as needed. Through one-on-one meetings,
phone calls, support groups, and memorial services,
the bereavement team works to help relieve a
family’s emotional pain and assist them as they
begin to look toward the future. Angela Hospice
also offers free grief support services to children and
adults throughout Southeast Michigan.
Spiritual Care
Angela Hospice offers individualized spiritual
care intended to uplift and support the spirit.
On request, spiritual care staff will work with the
patient and family to develop a spiritual support
plan to meet their specific needs. This may include
the rituals, prayers and Sacraments of a specific
faith, or a simple caring presence for encouragement
and the sharing of music or literature. Visits from
the Angela Hospice chaplain or a clergy person of
any specific faith may also be arranged.
Ethics Advisory Committee
Angela Hospice’s care is rooted in a commitment
to promote and protect the dignity of those
we serve and those we serve beside. Acting as a
consultant in an advisory role, our Ethics Advisory
Committee exists to enhance the excellence of care
by serving as a resource which uses established
processes of moral reasoning to clarify issues and
dilemmas, and to ensure that our standards, values,
and directives drive our conduct.
2011 Year-in-Review
Patient Care & Statistics
In 2011, Angela Hospice was
privileged to serve 1,704 patients
and families through the following
care programs:
Hospice Home Care..................1,529
Angela Hospice Care Center........389
My Nest is Best................................7
Prenatal Hospice..............................4
TOTAL Patients Served*.........1,704
Average daily census...... 201 patients
*Patients who transferred between programs
were counted in the totals for both programs.
The total of 1,704 patients served reflects
each patient counted only once.
Gender
Female........60.5% Male........39.5%
Age
17 years and under...................0.35%
18-34 years..............................0.35%
35-64 years............................11.29%
65-74 years............................13.59%
75-84 years............................24.29%
85 years and older..................50.12%
Length of Stay
0-7 days.................................38.38%
8-14 days...............................15.52%
15-30 days.............................15.92%
31-60 days...............................9.84%
61-90 days...............................6.41%
91-179 days.............................7.33%
180 days or more.....................6.61%
Average length of stay............ 43 days
Median length of stay............. 12 days
Most Common Disease Categories
Cancers..................................36.82%
Neurological Diseases............18.12%
Cardiovascular Disorders.......14.29%
Most Common Terminal Diagnoses
Lung Cancer.............................9.82%
Congestive Heart Failure..........9.41%
Failure to Thrive......................7.06%
Debility Non-Specific...............6.59%
Organic Brain Syndrome..........4.71%
Bereavement Department
Memorial Services
Memorial Services Held..........................15
Total Attendees.................................1,908
Congratulations to our
staff who earned new
achievements in 2011!
Support Group Attendees
Adults...................................................907
Children..................................................48
One-On-One Grief Support Contacts
Adults................................................2,140
Children................................................392
Jill Darling
Critical Care Nurse of
the Year at Providence
Park Hospital
Volunteer Program
Volunteers are a vital part of the Angela
Hospice caregiving team. Angela Hospice is
fortunate to have the dedication and
support of nearly 400 active volunteers,
who logged over 33,000 hours in 2011 in
the following service categories:
Bereavement......................................2,858
Care Center.....................................10,674
Clerical/Errands/Supplies...................5,799
Fundraising........................................2,400
Home Visits.......................................2,433
Hospitality.........................................2,835
Meetings............................................1,597
Miscellaneous....................................2,295
Spiritual Care.....................................1,017
Training.............................................1,356
TOTAL Logged Hours....................33,264.
Maureen Mullins
Registered Health
Information Technologist
Carol Sachdeva
Certified Hospice &
Palliative Nurse
Education and Outreach
Last year’s educational outreach included
nurses, residents, seminarians, and undergraduate and graduate students in counseling,
social work, and hospice education, from
the following institutions:
Henry Ford Community College...............1
Madonna University...............................15
Sacred Heart Major Seminary.................19
Schoolcraft College....................................2
St. Mary Mercy Hospital...........................2
University of Detroit Mercy......................2
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.......10
University of Michigan - Flint...................2
Wayne State University..........................48
TOTAL Educated................................101
Pat Squires
Elected to Garden City
City Council
Wendy Winkler
Certified Hospice &
Palliative Pediatric Nurse
Ethics Advisory Committee
The Ethics Advisory Committee continued to meet
monthly and held numerous consultations in 2011. In
addition, it gave the following presentations.
T
w “Active vs. Passive Euthanasia: Does the Distinction
Clarify or Confuse?”—The 2011 Annual Meeting of the
Evangelical Philosophical Society, San Francisco, CA.
w “Clarifying the Ethical Issues in the Use of Opiates
at the End-of-Life”—The 2011 Michigan Hospice and
Palliative Care Organization Volunteer Symposium, Boyne
Falls, MI.
w “End-of-Life Ethics and Hospice Advocacy: Harnessing
the Experiences of Volunteers for Effective Change”—The
2011 Michigan Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
Volunteer Symposium, Boyne Falls, MI.
w “Not Quite Business as Usual: Integrating Business
Ethics and Institutional Ethics in a Hospice Health Care
Context”—The 2011 Annual Conference of the Michigan
Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Mt. Pleasant, MI.
w “Misinformation, Mistrust, and Misguidance: Why
Our Patients Won’t ‘Gamble’ with Palliative Medicines”
—The 2011 Annual Conference of the Michigan Hospice
and Palliative Care Organization, Mt. Pleasant, MI.
w “Hospice Care, End-of-Life Medical Ethics, and the
Law”—Henry Ford Hospital/Wayne State University
Radiological Technology Program, Detroit, MI.
Speakers Bureau
Our Speakers Bureau is another avenue through which
Angela Hospice provides information and education to
the community. In 2011, the Speakers Bureau reached
thousands of individuals through sponsored events,
conferences, and special presentations. These included:
he Angela
Hospice
Garden of Memories
is a unique way of
remembering loved
ones each May, with
colorful paper flowers
decorating a charming
mural on display at
the Angela Hospice
Care Center. This
year, the Garden of
Memories will be even
p Barbara Paul at the
more meaningful,
Garden of Memories mural.
because for the first
time, actual flowers will be planted on the Angela
Hospice grounds in memory of those honored, in
addition to the paper flowers put on display.
“The Garden of Memories is a wonderful
expression of love,” said Barbara Paul, development
coordinator. “Now that
love will be an inspiration
to all who experience the
beauty of nature here on
our grounds.”
For more information
on the Garden of
Memories, contact the
Development Office at
(734) 464-7810.
u The Angela Hospice
grounds.
w Area Agency on Aging 1-B Caregiver Conference
w Belleville September Days
w First United Methodist
w Henry Ford Hospital/WSU Ethics and Jurisprudence Class
w Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network Caring Coalition
w Marian High School
w Observer & Eccentric Senior Expo
w Our Lady of Good Council parish
w Southeast Michigan Caregiving Conferences
w St. James Church Stephen Ministries
w Western Wayne County Senior Celebration Day
Speakers Bureau topics include “Solving the Mystery of
Hospice,” “Is Grief Really Good, Charlie Brown?,” and
“Celebrating a Life Well-Lived.” For more information or
to schedule a presentation for your group, call business
development manager Bob Alexander at (734) 953-6009.
6
I
n December, 26 children participated in the
Children’s Holiday Workshop, held at the
Angela Hospice Care Center. Along with help
from their parent or guardian, the children used
bows, ornaments, and tinsel, plus photos and
other special trinkets they brought from home,
to decorate a holiday wreath in memory of a
loved one. The kids then had the opportunity to
tell the other participants about the wreath they
made, and who they were remembering. All the
children then received cuddly stuffed animals,
donated by PetSmart. This popular annual event
was expanded in 2011, with the addition of a Teen
Holiday Workshop held in late November.
C
ongratulations
to Jane Neu,
who received a special
award at the Michigan
Hospice and Palliative
Care Organization’s
Volunteer Symposium.
Neu has been a devoted
volunteer with Angela
Hospice since 1997,
helping with a variety
of clerical projects.
E
ach spring Angela Hospice holds an Arbor
Day Ceremony on the beautiful grounds
of the Care Center, honoring those who have
been remembered with a memorial item on the
Angela Hospice grounds. Families who have
ordered bricks, stones, benches, or trees in the
past year are invited to an uplifting ceremony
with a luncheon following. Over 40 families
took part in 2011, and 38 memorials have
already been ordered for the 2012 Arbor Day
Ceremony. For information on a personalized
memorial for your loved one, contact the
Development Office at (734) 464-7810, or visit
www.AskForAngela.com.
t Donna Lewandowski and Joanne Jorissen pose
behind the bench installed in 2011 in memory of
their parents, John and Anastasia Swerock.
H
undreds of Angela Hospice patients have received
warm and fuzzy gifts over the past year – an
afghan or lap blanket made lovingly by volunteers who
hope to bring warmth and cheer into the lives of our
hospice patients. Individuals, students, and church groups
have donated their handmade creations to be gifted to
hospice patients, and we are grateful for the generosity of
these caring volunteers!
t Carolyn Wik and Nancy
Wlasuk donated dozens
of blankets in memory of
Edith Balman Swerock.
q Students from West
Middle School in Plymouth
created over 100 colorful
fleece blankets.
14100 Newburgh Road
Livonia, Michigan 48154
Toll Free (866) 464-7810
www.AskForAngela.com
The Monarch is published by Angela
Hospice to keep our friends and
supporters informed of our latest
news and events as we continue to
provide quality care to people in need.
Sister Mary Giovanni
President/CEO
Mary Beth Moning
Executive Director
Tom Lesondak
CFO
James Boal, MD
Medical Director
Bob Alexander
Business Development Manager
Lisa Norton
Public Relations
Nancy Maleki
Contributing Writer
Board of Directors
Kenneth Dabrowski
Kimberly Riley Fouts
Michael George
Sister Mary Giovanni - President
Barb Hendrickson
Tom Lesondak - Treasurer
Sister Mary Francis Lewandowski
Mary Beth Moning - Secretary
Edmund Cardinal Szoka
Judge Michael Talbot
David Ward - Chair
Angela Hospice is a Catholic
sponsored ministry in the Felician
Franciscan tradition, dedicated
to providing comprehensive,
compassionate, and Christlike care
to terminally ill adults and children
Associate Member
“Yes, I am a Tennessee girl.
But even though I was born and
raised in the South, I am not a
southern belle – unless of course
I need to be!”
Enjoying a ladies night out at last year’s event
Suddenly comedian Karen
are friends (back row) Danna Bowersox,
Mills slips into a sweet, slow,
Cheryl Dillon, Myrna Hahn, Lily Sprow, (front)
Southern drawl: “…Like when
Marge Kucher, Carol Sigler, Barb Cicero and
I’m in the airport, struggling
Beth DeCoster.
with all that old heavy luggage.
I can always find a nice, strong man to carry my bags.” Then she snaps out of
it: “And people think we’re stupid!”
The energetic, entertaining Karen Mills will be featured at Angela Hospice’s
5th annual women’s event, Laughter Lifts You Up! Over 800 women are
expected to attend Thursday, March 22, 5:30 p.m., at Laurel Manor in Livonia.
“It’s exciting that this event has become so popular with our supporters,”
said Events Coordinator Barb Iovan. “We had reservations for 85 women before
our invitations were even mailed!”
Whether it’s lots of laughs, a delicious dinner and dessert, or a great time
with girlfriends, there is a lot to look forward to at this event. The evening will
feature an illuminating “How-to” Scarf Fashion Show, as well as the “Girls on
the Town” Raffle. Tickets for the raffle are $5 each or three for $10, and offer a
chance at winning one of three prize packages, each filled with over $1,000 in
gift certificates. Even men will want to get in on the action with this raffle, and
luckily they can since you don’t have to be present to win!
Reservations are $45 per person. All proceeds will benefit Angela Hospice’s
grief support groups and counseling programs. For more information,
reservations, or raffle tickets, call Barb Iovan at (734) 953-6045.
Mission in Action
Angela Hospice’s mission is to provide
comprehensive, compassionate, and Christlike
care to adults and children in the communities
we serve. But what does Christlike mean? How
is this reflected in our work, while we provide
care for people of all faiths?
Consider the earthly person of Jesus. He
was revolutionary in his acts of boundless love
which transcended society’s conventions.
He saw the value in all people and treated
others with great kindness and compassion.
He practiced the attitude of a servant, while
preaching peace, forgiveness, and generosity.
Jesus’s example of gentleness, sincerity, and
love is an inspiration to all of us as we carry out
our mission each day to provide Christlike care.