MEDICAL SOCIAL WORkERS IN HOSPICE

Grace Hospice Foundation
Medical Social Workers in Hospice
Volume 4 n Number 2
Summer 2013
T
he social worker is an integral
member of the hospice team.
As trained professionals, our
first responsibility is to evaluate
the needs of the patient and
their family upon entering the hospice
program. Going forward we represent
the individual/family’s wishes at every
hospice team meeting.
At the initial evaluation, our goal is to
identify where each of our patients and
their families are emotionally. Using this
as a starting point, we then join them on
their journey and continue along at their
pace.This is an amazing privilege that
none of us take lightly. It is not our job
as hospice social workers to impose any
particular agenda. We are there to support
the patient and their family’s wishes, and
address their concerns, be it financial,
emotional or ethical.
One of the many roles of the social
worker is to “paint the landscape” of the
patient and their family for the other
hospice team members. Everyone has a
story, whether it’s an example of their
loved one overcoming adversity or a
wonderful personality trait. Additionally,
it’s our responsibility to be aware of and
sensitive to any social, cultural or religious
ideals regarding the end of life process
that is specific to each patient.
Grace Hospice
and
The Grace Hospice
Foundation
Submitted by Don Cahwee
Psychosocial Coordinator
Creating a safe place for the patient and
their family to talk about death is vital
to the hospice journey. It is the social
worker’s job to create a “safe container”
for this discussion. Foremost, we are there
to help support the patient and family
in the areas of emotional care. For those
patients or family members experiencing
tremendous emotional grief, we may
act as a grief counselor or refer to our
spiritual team for followup. In some
cases where there is a need for additional
psychological counseling, we will put the
patient or family member in touch with a
licensed therapist specializing in this area.
Understanding the family dynamics
surrounding the patient is an important
role of the social worker. Oftentimes,
family members may disagree on the end
of life decisions of their loved one. In
these cases, we can help educate family
members regarding any misconceptions
or dilemmas they may be facing during
this stressful time.
Many times just the presence of the social
worker offers a sense of support to the
patient and family, because they know we
are there to help.
During the hospice process, families often
struggle with self care.They feel guilty
taking time away from their loved one. We
help them realize that they need to first
take care of themselves so that they can
be healthy, strong and able to then care
for their loved one.
1
H
Grace Hospice Foundation
Grace Hospice Foundation
H
ospice is...
ow can you help?
Hospice is a concept of care that strives to improve
the quality of life for people who are facing a terminal
illness by providing comfort, support, and dignity for
the patient and their family.
The Foundation relies heavily on
charitable contributions to bring peace
of mind to those we serve and allow their
families to spend precious time together
during the last phase of the patient’s life. We have
several upcoming events we invite you to attend
and participate.
The Grace Hospice
Foundation is...
Grace Hospice Foundation is dedicated to advocating for patients who are
facing the end of their life and do not have financial resources to pay for their
care. Through major fundraising events, the Foundation works to subsidize
care for patients and families that cannot afford hospice care, grant special
wishes of hospice patients, and promote the principles of hospice care by
educating our community about the
hospice concept of care.
13580 Campaign is...
Grace Goes Country: This event will be held
on Friday,
September
13th at historic
Cain’s ballroom
from 6:30-11:30.
The Round
Up Boys will be providing us with classic country
western swing music in the tradition of one of
Oklahoma’s favorite son’s, Bob Wills.
Race for Grace: On Saturday, November 2nd
at the ORU Campus, Grace Hospice Foundation
will host our first 5K run. Details will be
highlighted in our next newsletter.
The 13580 Campaign shines a light on the cost of care per day for an
unfunded hospice patient. On average, the cost of care for a patient
in hospice is $135.80 per day. If the patient does not meet Medicare
requirements, does not have insurance or the hospice benefit is not
covered under their current insurance plan, the patient is required
to pay for hospice services on their own. Our mission is to raise funds and awareness for
those patients who cannot afford or are underinsured and need hospice services.
If you are unable to participate in any activity but
would like to support the work of the Foundation
and our commitment to the Tulsa, please consider
serving as a sponsor either individually or at a
corporate level.
In the name of Grace Hospice Foundation, I thank
each of you who have contributed and also those
who have participated in making contributions
possible to the foundation.
Please check out our website at www.
gracehospicefoundation.org for more information
about the foundation, to help or to donate.
We look forward to partnering with you to make a
real difference in our community.
Miss Senior Oklahoma Pageant:
This fundraising event is designed
With warm regards,
Amy Synar
Amy Synar
Director of Grace Hospice Foundation
Meet Some
Grace Folks
At right is Marcia Muncy, RN,
Admissions. Below is volunteer
Rick Orr going through the
Virtual Dementia Tour.
At right is Glenna Odam, Receptionist; below is
Teri Cearley, RN, Patient Care Coordinator.
Above, employee Tonopah
Ziegler, LPN, offers pizza to
employee Becky Ray, LPN.
At right is Beverly Lacy, RN
Care Manager.
These are some of the
wonderful people who
helped Grace Hospice earn
2013 “Best of the Best”
ranking from Oklahoma
Magazine. (See page eight.)
Left is Todd Webb, RN, Case Manager with a
patient. Above is volunteer Patti Orr going
through the Virtual Dementia Tour.
2
to encourage and celebrate the beauty, wisdom, and
tenacity of senior women. The pageant date has
been moved to the spring 2014. Once a date and
location has been finalized, the facilities and other
participants will be notified.
Volume 4
•
Number 2
Volume 4
•
Number 2
3
Grace Hospice Family
Grace Hospice Calendar
T
here is a story about a photographer for a well-known magazine who was assigned to take photos
of a great forest fire in California. A problem arose as smoke from the fire hampered him from having
any view of what was happening. So he frantically called his home office to hire a plane. “It will be
waiting for you at the airport!” he was assured by his editor.
As soon as he got to the small, rural airport, sure enough, a plane could be seen warming up near the
runway. So the photographer jumped in with his equipment and yelled, “Let’s go! Let’s go!” The pilot
quickly swung the plane into the wind and soon they were in the air.
“Fly over the north side of the fire,” said the photographer, “and make three or four low level passes.”
“Why?” asked the pilot. “Because I’m going to take some pictures of that fire!” said the photographer with
great exasperation. “I’m a photographer, and photographers take pictures!”
After a long awkward pause the pilot said, “You mean you’re not the instructor?”
M
Many times, in the early months after
the death of a loved one, it can be easy
to set aside wisdom and prudence for
the sake of expediency. When actively
grieving, hasty decisions can result in
negative outcomes, because when not all the facts are
known, and there is a rush to get matters decided, bad
choices can very easily be made.
sharing of experiences that have come from loss.The
sessions meet at our offices on Monday Evenings from
6pm -7pm; and Thursday Afternoons from 3:30pm –
4:30pm at 6400 S. Lewis Ave. Contact Ken Bachelor at
918.744.7223 or [email protected] if you have
any questions about the groups or other bereavement
support opportunities.
So instead of making decisions too quickly, seek out
wise counsel and spend some time in thoughtful
prayer. Value the support of others who have faced
the challenge of similar choices in their experience.
Diligent planning will ultimately help to make the best
choices possible!
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely
as haste leads to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5
Grace Hospice offers weekly grief support groups that
help provide reassurance and comfort through the
Weekly Grief Support Groups
meet at the Grace Hospice Offices
Monday evenings 6pm – 7pm.
Thursday afternoons 3:30pm – 4:30pm.
Grace Hospice at 6400 South Lewis Ave.
For more information contact Ken
Bachelor at 918-744-7223
or by email: [email protected]
Grief Support Outing
A view within the
Waite Phillips
tunnel in downtown
Tulsa.
The Thursday Grief Support Group went out together
for a lunch and then toured the special architecture
and art that is in downtown Tulsa. Getting together for
fellowship and having fun exploring new experiences
is an important part of recovery through grief.
4
Photo Credit:
Kai from OK Shooters
Association Forums
Volume 4
•
Number 2
June 2013
Support Groups:
Grief & Bereavement Caregiver Support Groups
Mon, 6pm - 7pm & Thurs, 3:30pm - 4:40pm
Free and Open to Community. Grace Hospice Offices
September 2013
Support Groups:
Grief & Bereavement Caregiver Support Groups
Mon, 6pm - 7pm & Thurs, 3:30pm - 4:40pm
Free and Open to Community. Grace Hospice Offices
JULy 2013
Support Groups:
Grief & Bereavement Caregiver Support Groups
Mon, 6pm - 7pm & Thurs, 3:30pm - 4:40pm
Free and Open to Community. Grace Hospice Offices
October 2013
Support Groups:
Grief & Bereavement Caregiver Support Groups
Mon, 6pm - 7pm & Thurs, 3:30pm - 4:40pm
Free and Open to Community. Grace Hospice Offices
Grace Goes Country The Round Up Boys will provide western
swing at the Cains Ballroom
Fri. 9/13 from 6:30pm-11:30pm
August 2013
Support Groups:
Grief & Bereavement Caregiver Support Groups
Mon, 6pm - 7pm & Thurs, 3:30pm - 4:40pm
Free and Open to Community. Grace Hospice Offices
November 2013
Support Groups:
Grief & Bereavement Caregiver Support Groups
Mon, 6pm - 7pm & Thurs, 3:30pm - 4:40pm
Free and Open to Community. Grace Hospice Offices
Race for Grace Western-themed 5K run at the ORU campus
Sat. 11/2. Details to come.
Dehydration Prevention: Every Ounce Counts
B
Aimee Musgrove RN BSN CHPN
Benjamin Franklin
once said “an ounce of
prevention is worth a
pound of cure.” This is
valuable advice from one
of our founding fathers.
However, with the hot summer days
fast approaching I challenge Benjamin
Franklin and recommend multiple
ounces, ounces of water more
specifically.
The dangers of dehydration are
more prevalent with the elderly and
caregivers can frequently overlook
their own individual hydration
needs as well. Physical changes
with aging increases the risk of
dehydration: kidneys are less efficient
at concentrating urine resulting in
increased fluid loss, and less muscle
mass results in less percentage of
water composition. Also, older adults
have a decreased thirst sensation,
so they may not recognize that they
are thirsty. Dehydration can be
contributed to lack of water intake
but other factors such as prescribed
medication like diuretics, some
antidepressants, and laxatives can
increase the risk for dehydration.
Physical conditions can prevent the
elderly from walking to obtain water
or even being able to reach a glass of
water, likewise cognitive changes can
Volume 4
•
Number 2
cause forgetfulness or confusion with
regard to fluid intake.
water daily, or about 6 8-ounce
glasses of water.
Symptoms of mild dehydration are:
dry mouth, thick saliva, unable to
urinate, small amounts of urine, dark
or deep yellow urine, constipation,
headaches, cramping in arms or legs,
weakness, sleepiness or irritable
feelings. Symptoms of more serious
dehydration are: low blood pressure,
convulsions, severe cramping in
limbs, back and stomach, bloated
stomach, nausea, rapid but weak
pulse, dry and sunken eyes, skin
with more wrinkles than usual and
no elasticity, rapid breathing, and
reduced consciousness or total loss of
consciousness. If you or someone you
are a caregiver for experiences the
more serious dehydration symptoms
you must seek medical attention, the
situation can become life-threatening.
Tips for staying hydrated: provide
favorite fluids during and between
meals, serve beverages the
temperature preferred by the elderly
adult, encourage fluid intake at
snacks, keep fluids nearby and offer
frequently and assist if needed,
remind older adults to drink, watch
for signs of dehydration, watch for
poor intake of food or fluids, provide
liquids with medicine. Avoid alcohol,
minimize caffeine intake due to
its diuretic effect. If early signs of
dehydration appear a sports drink
will supplement fluid and necessary
electrolytes. A sign of proper
hydration is the color of urine; it
should be clear or pale-yellow.
The common recommendation for
fluid intake is 8 8-ounce glasses of
water, that’s a whopping sixty-four
ounces of water. A good formula for
how much water is needed every day
is to take one-third of the person’s
body weight in pounds and drink the
equivalent number of ounces of water
daily. For example, a 150-pound
woman would need 50 ounces of
Benefits of proper hydration is
obviously better well-being, but
also helps with fewer falls, less
constipation, optimal cardiac function,
improved memory function, joint
lubrication, and better immune health.
Just as I challenged Benjamin Franklin
I would like to challenge our Grace
readers to stay hydrated this summer
to maintain optimal well-being. An
ounce of prevention will allow you to
embrace every moment of your life
each and every day.
5
raceHH
ospiceFB
y
GGrace
ospice
oiograph
undation
Grace Hospice Volunteers
Introducing Rick Miller
Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
Rick Miller, RN, BSN, CHPN.
I was born in a
very small town in
southeast Oklahoma
and spent my early
years in Texas where
I met and married
Linda. We have been
together for 23 years.
We have a daughter
Callie, age 21 and a
son Chandlir, who is 18. Callie is a nurse aide
who plans to start nursing school in the spring.
Chandlir will be a senior at Hilldale High next
year and is completely obsessed with keeping his
Mustang clean.
My family loves spending time together relaxing,
boating, fishing or swimming at my parents lake
house on lake Eufaula.
I have 14 years of experience in oncology nursing
and am certified for oncology nursing, and
also hospice and palliative nursing. My college
nursing education included attending Connors
State College and Bacone College. I’ve enjoyed
presenting in services at the State Minority Aging
Conference and chairing the Larry Brummett
Foundation, which provides financial or negotiated
in kind support to cancer patients for essential
6
needs that are otherwise unmet by other charitable
organizations. I’ve served as a board member to the
Northeast Oklahoma Oncology Nursing Society, and
was awarded Oncology Nurse of the Year by them
in 2012. I also am a member of the provisional
local chapter of the Hospice and Palliative Nursing
Association.
I love that I can help make someone else’s life
better for as long as is possible, and to help them
do the things they want to do towards the end of
life. Oncology patients typically have around 1-3
months to work with. My favorite hospice moment
was with an older couple in Muskogee. The wife
had AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) and had chosen
to no longer receive treatments or transfusions.
She did not have much time remaining and was
very weak in her final days. She was awake only for
short periods and she barely spoke. I had several
discussions with her husband to prepare him for
the process ahead as she declined. When her time
was near, the husband sat beside her in bed holding
her hand. He leaned over her with his face inches
from her face, staring straight into her eyes. He
told her how much he loved her, and that he would
miss her, but that he would be OK. With tears in
both of their eyes, and in the eyes of everyone in
the room, she passed away. That to me is what
hospice is all about.
Volume 4
•
Number 2
Grace Hospice celebrated our wonderful volunteers at the annual volunteer
appreciation luncheon.The event took place on Saturday, April 6, at the
beautiful Tarp Chapel reception hall in Broken Arrow. Although a bit
windy, the warm sunny day was welcomed.The colorful “Fiesta” theme
was carried out through invitations, decorations, and attire. We appreciate
our Grace Volunteers every day, but the annual spring luncheon gives
us a special opportunity to celebrate our amazing group of dedicated
volunteers. Some volunteers visit patients in care facilities and private
homes to provide socialization and caregiver relief. Others offer
bereavement support and practical assistance. Some help with phones
and administrative projects at the Grace office. Still others share their
handiwork in the form of crafts, and hand-made items
such as shawls, slippers, pillows, and bibs.
Educational In-Service
On June 13, volunteers attended an educational inservice on disaster preparedness.The information
was especially timely following the recent Oklahoma
tornadoes.The topics discussed included storm, flood,
and heat preparedness which was followed by an
informative video.
Recruit a Volunteer
Grace Hospice is indeed fortunate to have an amazing team of dedicated
volunteers who serve our patients, families, and staff in so many ways. But
there is always a need new volunteers so we can serve even more Grace
patients and families. If you or someone you know would like to learn more
about our volunteer program, please contact Meg or Livia at the Grace
office: 918-744-7223.The next training class for new volunteers will be
scheduled soon.
“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.”
–Winston Churchill
Volume 4
•
Number 2
7
Grace Hospice Foundation
“Grace Hospice Awarded
‘Best of the Best’ for 2013!”
Since its inception in the fall of 1999, Grace Hospice has strived
to provide excellence in care and service to patients and
families of Northeast Oklahoma. In the nearly 14 years that
Grace has been in business, we have worked hard to gain the
respect and recognition that has been given to us, by receiving
the award,“Best of The Best” for Oklahoma Magazine. This is
a voter driven award and the first time we have received the
distinction of being number one in the local hospice industry.
We could not be more proud or honored to have so many who
have entrusted the care of their loved ones and families to us. We
are so thankful to those who voted for us and recognized what
we have always strived to achieve, which is to be the very best for
patients and families. Most of all, we thank our wonderful staff and
volunteers, who work hard every day to make this possible.
Ava Hancock
Executive Director
Not affiliated with Grace Living Centers
Grace Hospice of Oklahoma, LLC
P.O. Box 33234
Tulsa, OK 74153-1234
(918) 744-7223
www.gracehospice.com