Winter 2008
Transcription
Winter 2008
K L A M A T H H O S P I C E , I N C . K L A M A T H Non Profit Organization US Postage Paid Klamath Falls, OR 97603 Permit Number 63 4745 S. 6th Street Klamath Falls, OR 97603 Phone: 541-882-2902 Fax: 541-883-1992 www.klamathhospice.org The mission of Klamath Hospice, Inc. is to improve the end-of-life experience for the terminally ill and their families. T h a n k Y o u ! ! The following supporters have generously donated the funds for the printing and distribution of this newsletter: Davenport’s Chapel of the Good Shepherd - 883-3458 O’Hair & Riggs Funeral Chapel - 884-3456 Eternal Hills Funeral Home - 884-3668 Ward’s Funeral Home - 882-4404 Thank you for your support! I would like to make a donation of $__________________ In Memory/Honor of________________________________________________________________________________ Please acknowledge my donation to ___________________________________________________________________ Address___________________________________________________________________________________________ I’ve enclosed a check made out to Klamath Hospice, Inc. Please clip and mail your tax deductible donation to: Klamath Hospice, Inc. 4745 South 6th Street Klamath Falls, OR 97603 You may also make a donation online at www.klamathhospice.org. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. Fall 2008 Reflections K H I M I S S I O N If you would like to be removed from our mailing list, you may return your mailing label via fax or US Postal Service, or you may email your request to [email protected]. H O S P I C E , I N C . KHI serves its mission by providing quality care to patients and families in the greater Klamath area and northern California regardless of individual circumstances and by advocating for and providing compassionate care, bereavement support, and public education. In June, the Board of Directors appointed Paula Penn the new Executive Director of Klamath Hospice, Inc. Paula has been with Klamath Hospice for over eight years serving in various capacities including Volunteer Coordinator, Admissions Coordinator, Human Resources Director, and Compliance Officer. Paula has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and an extensive background in business management and human resources. I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Introducing KHI Staff 2 Website Changes 2 The Invisible Cloak 3 Every Dollar Counts 4 Camp Evergreen 4 Light Up A Life 5 Treasures Thrift Store K H I A n n o u n c e s i t s N e w E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r 6 future of our community. Together, with the support of the Board of Directors and the skills of our exceptional staff and volunteers, we will continue to provide the best quality end-of-life care to patients and families as we have for the last 26 years. Paula is excited about the future of Klamath Hospice and states “Klamath Hospice is prepared to succeed in the rapidly changing field of healthcare and committed to the First up on Paula’s long list of goals is to ensure Klamath Hospice complies with the recently published revised Conditions of Participation required by Medicare before December 2, 2008. N o v e m b e r i s N a t i o n a l H o s p i c e a n d P a l l i a t i v e C a r e M o n t h November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, a time when care providers across the country are working to educate people about hospice care before they are faced with a healthcare crisis. It is important for people to communicate their wishes to family and loved ones early and often, before the stress of a medical crisis. Early discussions about hospice can facilitate open communication, avoid late admissions and provide patients a choice and sense of control. Hospice is not a place, but a kind of care that provides pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support and spiritual care to patients and their families. For more than 30 years, hospice has brought comfort, dignity, hope, and compassion to people on life’s final journey. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization reports that 1.4 million patients were served by the nation’s hospice providers last year. Hospices helped these patients and their family caregivers live as fully as possible - up until the end of life. As hospice professionals, our mission is to serve patients and families, and we’re committed to making sure they receive the care they want. Reflections – Fall 2008 Page 2 Introducing. . . The Klamath Hospice, Inc. STaff! Reflections – Fall 2008 Page 7 TREASURES THRIFT STORE COUPON Save 20% KLAMATH HOSPICE, INC. Treasures A U n i q u e T h r i f t S t o r e SHOP. DONATE. VOLUNTEER. Treasures Thrift Store 1229 East Main Street -Must present coupon to receive discount541-880-0596 Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Expires: December 10, 2008 HOLIDAY BAZAAR Saturday, November 22, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Community Lounge *We are currently looking for donations of baked goods and crafts* *Please call 882-2902 if you would like to donate* HOLIDAY DROP-IN GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS From left to right: Kelly Johnson, Kim Meyer, Dr. Ken Magee, Janie Steinbock, Rachel Throne, Patty Bodnar, Robin Cooper, Barb Partridge, Beverly Sigo, Kelly Thomas, Sandy Dunn, Julie Solem, Paula Penn, Patrick Stroup, Trebor McCormick, Jeri Icenbice, Kathy Smith, Rebecca Say, Becky Duke, Marcella Fenske, and Jill Williams (not pictured: Catherine Clark, Sandy Frailey, Dr. Hollander-Rodriguez, and Dr. Marx). Klamath Hospice’s website g e t s a fa c e l i f t We recently changed the look of our website www.klamathhospice.org. The website is a great resource for information about hospice including the history of hospice, common misconceptions, the hospice services we provide, how hospice works, and our service area. In addition, there is information about volunteer opportunities, Klamath Hospice news and events, making donations online and links to additional resources. You are invited to attend the Widow & Widowers Social Group Held every Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. Find new friendships...chat...have coffee. 4745 South 6th Street December 1, 8, and 15 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. 4745 S 6th Street Next 6-Week Session Grief Support Group Starts Monday, January 12, 2009 10:00 am to 11:30 am Linkville House - 2437 Kane St (call for details 882-2902) *Support groups are facilitated by qualified and caring professionals and provide avenues for learning and coping with the loss of a loved one. Sessions are free to the community K l a m a t h H o s p i c e B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s M e d i c a l D i r e c t o r s Charla Silverman, President Rudy Hiley Dr. Ken Magee Cindi Faries, Vice President Scott Rogers Dr. Joyce Hollander-Rodriguez William Wright, Secretary Bonnie Ross James Aslett Jennifer Springstead Dixie Carson Mary Stiltner Barbara DiIaconi Shirley Voight Dr. Geoffrey Marx Reflections – Fall 2008 Page 6 Tr e a s u r e s A A l l U niq u e p r o c e e d s b e n e f i t p a t i e n t s a n d T h r ift b y I didn’t expect it. Not now. Not when I had rationally and intellectually told myself over and over that my real grieving had taken place when I knew he would not get better. Wasn’t that when my actual journey of widowhood had begun - before death, when I began losing my companion little by little? And hadn’t God answered my prayers and taken him gently and quickly, surrounded by family love? I n c . SHOP. DONATE. VOLUNTEER. Do you like designer clothing but can’t afford to buy brand new? Are you looking for some home décor items that will add a little zest to your home but don’t want to spend a lot of money? Would you like to decorate for the holidays but don’t want to spend a lot of money doing it? Are you an avid reader but don’t like to pay full price for your books? Look no further. Treasures is for YOU! KITCHEN & HOME DÉCOR L C I R N & A E F N T S S SHOES PURSES JEWELRY F U R N I T U R E S E A S O N A L CDs BOOKS MENS, WOMENS & KIDS CLOTHING Page 3 The Invisible Cloak St or e K l a m a t h H o s p i c e , t h e i r f a m i l i e s . Reflections – Fall 2008 So why, after rather proudly keeping my emotional equilibrium for several months, did I suddenly burst into tears upon entering the hospital where he and I had spent so much time? I was going to visit a friend, but I never even made it to the elevators. I stumbled back to the car to sit in shaken wonder that such emotion had suddenly bubbled out. C O L L E C T I B L E S Apparently grief can sometimes be like an invisible cloak that you may unwittingly wear. It can cover from head to toe, keeping emotion hidden in its folds. Nor can anyone else see it. I heard over and over again, “My, you seem to be doing so well!” And I began to believe it as my unconscious act of normalcy fooled everyone, even me. Then that day my cloak fell open. Its lurking emotions finally burst through to envelop me with feelings so intense that I literally felt raw inside. My outpouring of tears lasted well beyond the meager supply of tissues I had in my purse. More than one passerby looked my way, but left me to my obvious grief. Finally my sobs subsided into hiccups, and I began the process of practicality ...starting the car, finding my way out of the parking garage, paying the ticket, and then driving home through rainy streets to my empty house. Strangely the house had never seemed emptier, starting the cycle of tears again, until all I could do was lie down on my much-too-big bed and soak the pillowcase through. Underlying all the outburst was still the element of surprise. I was sure I hadn’t cloaked my grief. Because concerned family and friends thought I should, I had read booklets on the grief process and had even attended a grief support group several times. But all the time I thought… “I don’t need this. I’m fine. Sure, I’m lonely, but I’m handling it.” I suspect now that any grief counselor would recognize this as a classic case of unwitting grief denial and wouldn’t have been at all surprised at my experience. Afterwards, when I was calmer, I returned to the literature I had shoved back on a shelf, and read again the wise words that now held a great deal more meaning for me. “Grief is painful. Grief is unpredictable. Grief involves surprises. The way out of grief is through it.” All this advise I had first skimmed over with a “Yeah, yeah, yeah” attitude. Convinced that I had absorbed my loss in a dignified and admirable way, I had dismissed the wisdom of experts. But with the sudden lifting of my invisible cloak, I had finally experienced the gritty pain of grief, but thought I must find a way around it. However, to get to the other side of it, I had to walk through the door that opens on acceptance of a new path. I had hidden grief from myself, wrapping the pain so tightly as to squeeze the life from it, trying to bypass the door. L i n d a T i p p e t t Yes, it was unpredictable and surprising, but now I know it’s inevitable. It’s just a matter of when. Sooner or later I would have to gird myself for the roller coaster ride that often characterized the healthy grief process. I didn’t understand that it is normal to fall apart even months after the funeral, or find Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, or just “a year ago today” passages difficult. I was convinced that keeping it all cloaked was the brave thing to do. It was certainly easier on family and friends. But I learned that this is MY grief and how I handle it has nothing to do with anyone else. Many people do not give others the freedom to grieve in a way that is right for them, but I am unique. My situation and lost relationship are unique, and I must surrender to the process in my own way. There’s an ancient “Warrior Song” that says, “There is meaning only in the struggle. Triumph or defeat is in the hands of God. So let us continue the struggle.” It’s a mandate, indeed, as I now know what battles need to be fought to light up my forward path and throw off the invisible cloak. Reprinted by www.webhealing.com. permission of Reflections – Fall 2008 Page 4 Reflections – Fall 2008 Page 5 Every Dollar Counts! When thinking about charitable donations that make a difference, it’s easy to cite the million dollar gifts as examples. While large donations are certainly welcomed, it is important to remember that it is not only the large donations that have a major impact on Klamath Hospice. Small gifts can have the same transformative effect, because every gift makes a difference! The cumulative effect of several small gifts can be very significant to our programs. An initial small gift can help fund a small part of the services we provide. For example, just $10 can fund a patient’s medications for a day or one hour of respite care for the very tired and worn out spouse of a patient. Making multiple small advantages to structuring and gifts over time can continue to planning your gift. fund our projects and programs. In this manner, the $5= Hospital Bed for 1 Day power of small gifts is $10= 1 Day of Medications magnified many times over. Planned gifts are also $50= 1 Bereavement Group Session significant to our $150= Hospital Bed for 1 Month operations. They can $400= 1 Child at Camp Evergreen be made by anyone $1000= 1 Palliative Radiation Treatment and occur in many $4600= Hospice Care for 1 Patient for 1 Month different ways such as bequests through wills and trusts, and they can For Klamath Hospice, a gift occur during your lifetime or after received, regardless of the death. A planned gift can occur amount or form in which it is once or over a period of time. The m ad e, m eans t hat yo u gift can take many different acknowledge the importance of forms, such as cash, stocks, Klamath Hospice and the bonds, real estate, or personal services we provide to the property. In essence, planned community. Please remember giving is extremely flexible and can no gift is too small. No matter be customized to your needs and the amount, all gifts touch some wishes. In most instances, there aspect of Klamath Hospice and c a n b e t r e m e n d o u s t a x the patients and families served. C a m p A u g u s t Klamath Hospice held their annual youth bereavement camp at Green Springs Box R Ranch. The camp was headed by Marcia Hale and provided 39 community youth ages 8-18 with the unique opportunity to grieve in a safe, supportive and understanding environment. Each youth had suffered the loss of a loved one. $15= Patient Medical Supplies for 5 Days $30= Portable Oxygen for 1 Month E v e r g r e e n 1 7 - 2 2 , 2 0 0 8 in a hurry to get through their grief, but to process it in their own way. Just like grief, the goal of a marathon is not to win but to keep going. When training for a marathon, a person may need a training partner and training skills. At camp, the kids were buddied up with a “training partner” (another camper) and taught “training skills” (coping skills). This year’s theme was “Life is a Marathon” in correlation to the C a m p a c t i v i t i e s i n c l u d e d 2008 Olympics. The underlying expressive art projects like message was that grief is a like a painting and making banners, marathon and they should not be trust building activities like rock climbing, crazy obstacle courses and relay races, campfire storytelling, swimming and hiking. Highlights of the camp included Project Linus presenting each youth with their own homemade quilt, Dr. Hale answering medical questions about death and dying, and a visit from this year’s Miss City of Sunshine and Miss Klamath County. Because of generous community and volunteer support, there is no fee for the camp. If you would like to refer a child to next year’s camp, please call 882-2902. Light up a Life Light up a life, Please join us for our annual Light up a Life and Remembrance Ceremony! by dedicating a light in honor of someone you admire or in memory of someone you miss! A meaningful gift, The Light up a Life and Remembrance Ceremony will be held at the: Senior Center 2045 Arthur Street Sunday, December 7 at 2:00pm. your contribution will help celebrate the life of your loved one during the holiday season and assist us in caring for hospice patients and their families all year long. A card acknowledging your generous gift will be sent to the person you choose. If you are unable to attend the ceremony, the tree will be available for viewing until the first of the New Year. We invite you to stop by the Senior Center to look at the beautiful display. Your contribution of $10 or more to Klamath Hospice will illuminate a symbolic light during the holiday season. In addition, your loved one’s name will be read at our Light up a Life and Remembrance Ceremony. Brighten the holiday season with a gift of a light! Please Return bottom portion to: Klamath Hospice, Inc. 4745 South Sixth Street Klamath Falls, Oregon 97603 Please place a light in honor of: Please place a light in honor of: Please place a light in honor of: Name: _______________________ Name: _______________________ Name: _______________________ Send acknowledgement of this gift to: Name:__________________________ Address: _______________________ City: __________________________ Send acknowledgement of this gift to: Name:__________________________ Address: _______________________ City: __________________________ Send acknowledgement of this gift to: Name:__________________________ Address: _______________________ City: __________________________ Payment: Check __(Payable to Klamath Hospice, Inc.) Visa___ MasterCard___ My Name:____________________________________ Account Number_________________________Exp. Date ______ Address: ____________________________________________ Signature___________________________ Date _____________ City/State/Zip Code:___________________________