Hospice celebrating another year of serving communities--- Holmes and Wayne hospice joins to serve both areas

  • Shelly Webb
  • November 19, 2011
  • 290
                        
Summary- Hospice is a great organization that makes a huge difference in many lives. Beginning November 30, Hospice of Holmes County will fall under Hospice of Wayne County; however services will continue locally with local volunteers. Story--National Hospice and Palliative Care Month has been honored in November for several years now. This year, Hospice officials are using this time of awareness to emphasize the importance of quality end-of-life care for all Americans, regardless of age, diagnoses or location of care. The official theme: “We Listen, We Care”, sums up the mission of Hospice in very simple words. Beth Crone RN, BSN, Director of Personal Health Services for the local Holmes County Health Department, wants to remind people that Hospice is available to assist patients with any end stage disease. Many individuals assume Hospice is only for cancer patients, but that is not the case. “You would be surprised to know that cancer is not the highest number of patients locally or among other Hospices,” Crone said. “Usually less than fifty percent of our patients are dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Any end stage disease with a prognosis of six months or less is eligible for Hospice care. These would include: heart failure, respiratory disease, kidney failure, Alzheimer and Parkinson to name a few.” According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), consumer research has found that eight out of 10 Americans would want to be cared for in their homes if facing a life-limiting illness. Hospice works hard to make this happen with nearly 70 percent of patients receiving care in their place of residence. Whether it’s the family home, nursing home, residential facility, or hospice inpatient setting, hospice teams strive to reach all appropriate patients and families wherever compassionate end-of-life care is needed. Hospice of Holmes County has about forty volunteers, some being indirect care and some direct care. However as of November 1, 2011, Hospice of Wayne County began overseeing all admissions because Hospice of Holmes County will fall under Wayne County beginning November 30, 2011. “I feel this is a win-win situation for Holmes County,” Crone shared. “We can continue to give our personal home town care with our local folks, but they (Wayne County Hospice) can oversee administrative and all the State Mandates and they are an organization that is doing it great. Our volunteers will continue on as volunteers for the Holmes County Clients. We need plenty of volunteers for the clients in this area. The Hospice of Wayne County is already accredited so our volunteers may need to take some additional continuing education or in-service classes. Our twelve Hospice employers were all offered positions with Hospice of Wayne County, and will be able to continue working here in Holmes County with our county patients.” Crone said that families can continue to call the Holmes County number or call Hospice of Wayne County directly. “There is also a procedure in place to go over finances if uninsured, to see if the client can pay anything or not,” she added. “There are funds through donations and fundraisers to offset these cases.” More than 1.5 million people with a life-limiting illness get help from the nation’s hospice and palliative care providers every single year. Crone explained that Hospice is never about giving up, it’s about making the most of the time you have left and doing it on your own terms. “Hospice is not a place,” she said. “It is not about giving up on living. Hospice is not about giving up things you enjoy. It is not about being isolated and out of touch with family and friends. Hospice is about making the most of the time you have left. It is spending time with those you love in a place where you are most comfortable, usually at home. Hospice is about feeling up to a fishing trip, going out to eat with your family, enjoying your pets and hobbies. Hospice is about choosing to stop using your energy having tests and treatments. You can use your energy doing what you want.” Volunteers are a big part of Hospice and Crone encourages any local individual that is interested to consider becoming a Hospice volunteer. “We have offer volunteer training 2-3 times per year,” Crone said. “I am not sure how often Hospice of Wayne County will offer training but I would guess more often. There will be an office here in Millersburg so any in-services or training will be done right here. That will be helpful to people as well.” Crone said that future events for Hospice will include a grief support class on December 6, 2011 entitled ‘Coping with the Holidays’ and anyone interested in that can phone 330-674-8448. Also the Annual Tree Lighting will be held on December 4, 2011 at 5 p.m. Lights can be purchased in honor or memory for $10.


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