Bluegrass Care Navigators - Philanthropy Newsletter (Winter 2021) by BGCARENAV

WINTER 2021

Bluegrass Care Navigators Volunteer Recognized by AARP

the final hours of life. Joan says she has personally

Joan Webb has been a steady and dedicated volunteer for

grown through her experiences with hospice, sharing,

Bluegrass Care Navigators since 2013, giving over 1,600 hours of

“My faith has deepened by sitting with and praying for

service to our patients and their families. She is a highly respected and

our 11th hour patients. Volunteering with hospice has

valued volunteer at Bluegrass Care Navigators and has meaningfully

opened my heart extra wide to serve our patients in

impacted the end-of-life experience of 184 hospice patients.  We are proud to share that Joan Webb has been named Runner-Up

whichever capacity they need, not what I think they need!”

for the prestigious AARP 2021 Andrus Award for Community Service.

Joan loves older adults and providing one-on-one

The AARP Andrus Award for Community Service is an annual awards

companionship.  She appreciates the opportunity to

program developed

bring comfort to our patients and brighten their day

in each state to

when they are grieving over their terminal condition.

honor individuals

Her affinity for the elderly was instilled in her by

whose service is a

her grandmother and great grandmother. She was

unique and valuable

very close with them and as a result, feels called to

contribution to

volunteer at Bluegrass Hospice Care. Joan has a

society.

special ability to give from her soul to the hospice

Joan is a dynamic volunteer who is willing to serve

patients.    “The patients that I’ve helped have taught me how

to slow down and be in the moment more, to enjoy

in any capacity

every conversation and become a better listener.

needed to best

I’m a very scheduled person and I’ve become a lot

support hospice patients and their families. For example, as an 11th Hour Volunteer, Joan serves in the special role of keeping vigil and providing a comforting presence needed by patients and families in

more flexible with my time, being called to fill a need as soon as possible. It’s made me a better person, less selfish and more other-centered,” Joan said. continued >

Melanie Hagan, Community Engagement Coordinator for Lexington, who nominated Joan for the AARP Andrus Award said, “Joan is an outstanding volunteer for Bluegrass Care Navigators. I cannot think of anyone else who gives as selflessly as Joan. She anticipates our patient’s needs and doesn’t hesitate to help.  If we had more volunteers like Joan, just imagine what we could do at Bluegrass Care Navigators!” As part of her award from AARP, Joan received $500 to

be given to the charity of her choice. We are truly grateful

Our Volunteers Made a Difference in 2021.

Bluegrass Care Navigators relies on the support of our many volunteers across the state to continue to provide the comforting care that our patients and their families need every day. Did you know that Medicare requires 5% of total patient care hours to come from volunteers? So far this year, our amazing volunteers have shared the following with

that Joan has chosen Bluegrass Care Navigators to receive this

our patients and families:

generous gift!

7,141 Hours have been given by volunteers $203,795 saved through volunteer hours 1,137 Deliveries of Valentines, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and other gifts to patients’ doorsteps 20,398 Care Calls have been made this year to check on our patients and families; calls are made every Thursday morning  3,437 Bereavement Calls - have been made this year to the caregivers after the loved one has passed  59 Veteran Blankets have been delivered to veteran patients

Vickie and Al

Life is a Journey, and We are Walking One Another Home

320 Bereavement Compassion Bags have Bags have been delivered to families experiencing serious illness.

Learn more about becoming a volunteer and making a difference in your community. bgcarenav.org/more-about-us/ volunteer

In November of 2018, Vickie and Al received devastating news that would change their lives. Al had been diagnosed with stage IV gastric cancer that had spread to his lungs. After two courageous years of chemotherapy and treatments, Al’s body began to give way. “By April of 2021, Al had been hospitalized three times in two months. I knew that

that Debbie was able to provide. Through her tears, Vickie recalled how Debbie gave her the time she needed with Al as she held him for what she knew

we had reached a point beyond my abilities,” said Vickie.

would be the last time. “She let me know that I didn’t

It was at that point Bluegrass Hospice Care stepped in to care for Al

ready, comforting me in my last moments with Al.”

and provide comforting support to Vickie. “I couldn’t have asked to

be treated any nicer,” Vickie said. “Everyone was just so kind to us,

need to reach out to the funeral home until I was

Since Al’s passing in June, Vickie has been working

even the guys who brought the medical equipment.”

through her grief with help from our professional grief

Our hospice care teams are not only dedicated to delivering expert

when they need help, but I’m not one of them. Life is

care to our patients but are resources for the caregivers—providing

a journey, and we are walking one another home,” she

them with tools and support so that they can grow their confidence and

stated. “I have nothing but nice things to say about

skills in caring for their loved one. “I instantly connected with our case manager, Debbie. I felt like I could tell her anything, and she was always so encouraging to me, letting me know that I was doing a great job,”

counselors. “Some people might find it hard to admit

Bluegrass Care Navigators. They have been there for me in so many ways.”

Vickie reflected. “One of Al’s biggest wishes was to stay in his bed at home, and with the help of our hospice team, he was able to do just that!” Vickie

stated. On the day that Al passed, Vickie was grateful for the comfort

Your donations directly impact the lives of other Kentuckians when they need it most. bgcarenav.org/newsletter

Donor Spotlight: The Kentucky Colonels We are truly grateful for the support from The Honorable

Order of Kentucky Colonels, who recently granted Bluegrass

Care Navigators more than $18,000 for the purchase of specially designed mattresses that will be used for our hospice patients. Many of our patients become bedfast with very limited mobility, and these mattresses are engineered to help relieve specific complications by shifting the weight of patients in ways that take pressure off certain parts of the body. This prevents the onset of new pressure-point ulcers and provides an environment in which existing sores can heal better. Thanks to the generosity of The Kentucky Colonels, these

mattresses will assist approximately 600 patients each year throughout Kentucky.

Creating Lasting Memories Whitney Clay, Integrative Medicine Program Coordinator, Art Therapist

I received a referral from one of our Northern Kentucky teams requesting support for a family who wanted to create a memory project. The team suggested that the patient

was declining rapidly and that a visit “sooner rather than later” would be helpful. I had a phone conversation with the patient’s daughter who had an idea for a memory pillow for the patient’s great grandson. We planned for a visit, despite her observation that the patient was no longer able to engage in the project. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the patient’s wife and daughters. They shared stories about the patient, who was resting peacefully in a hospital bed in the living room. He was a veteran, who had received his draft notice the day before his wedding. After only three weeks with his bride, he was called away for active duty. When he returned, they started a Whitney Clay

family, raising two daughters, enjoying three granddaughters, and he was delighted when his first great grandchild was a boy!

The family had traced the hands of the great grandson and located a picture of the two great buddies. They found the shirt that the patient was wearing in the photograph and asked that we use the fabric to make a memory pillow. We worked together to gently trace the patient’s hand so that both hands could be sewn onto the pillow. As we worked, the family shared memories. The wife observed that she and the patient had loved to hold hands. We decided to take some photos of their hands together. She slipped into another room, put lotion on her hands, and placed a beautiful ring that he had given her on her finger. We took several photos of their hands intertwined. As I left, I thanked the family for allowing me to share this time with them and promised to stay in touch about progress on our project. Our Bluegrass Care Navigators team went into action to locate an appropriate volunteer to do the sewing. The patient died within 48 hours of my visit, but our connection to this family will last much longer. I am grateful for the team who

listened to this family’s hope and to the collaboration of so many of our team members and volunteers to bring it to fruition.

The Bluegrass Care Navigators Integrative Medicine Program incorporates a variety of services – including art, music, massage, and animal-assisted therapies – to bring comfort to our patients. This program is sustained primarily through philanthropic donations.

Cynthiana Regional Office Celebrates 30th Anniversary

during their final days instead of constantly worrying about various forms of care. These are just a few of the services that are offered through Bluegrass Care Navigators. They have made a deep impact on my life, and I am forever grateful for their support.” Lauren Biddle, Executive Director, Paris-Bourbon County Chamber of Commerce

“Words cannot do justice to the service that Bluegrass Care Navigators has provided to Georgetown/Scott

County for the past 30 years. Providing in-home

caregiving services and supporting the success and mental health of caregivers living with patients, affords relief to our hospitals and other healthcare facilities. In a time where our healthcare industry is devoting the majority of its resources to address the COVID-19 pandemic, Bluegrass Care Navigators provides ‘behind the scenes’ relief that should This year the Cynthiana regional office of Bluegrass Care

not go unrecognized. I am proud to call Bluegrass Care

Navigators celebrates 30 years of service to seriously ill

Navigators a community partner.”

patients and their loved ones living in Bourbon, Harrison,

Mayor Tom Prather, Georgetown, KY

Nicholas, and Scott counties. As part of the celebration, we asked community leaders to share their thoughts about the importance of Bluegrass Care Navigators to their citizens: “Bourbon County is forever grateful for the services

that Bluegrass Care Navigators provides for its citizens,

and has for 30 years. Every family that has been touched

by their outreach over the years is so appreciative of the support and caring that has come with their experience. My family being included among those that have been encouraged, strengthened, protected, and inspired by their services in times of our greatest need. Thank you Bluegrass Care Navigators for all you do for Bourbon County and congratulations on this milestone anniversary!” Judge/Executive Michael R. Williams, Bourbon County, KY

“Throughout my entire adult life, both professionally and personally, Bluegrass Care Navigators has been a constant support. As an Activities Director at our

local nursing home, Bourbon Heights, I learned that the palliative care that is provided during someone’s final weeks or days can be so helpful for families and staff. During this time, I lost my assistant unexpectedly, and Bluegrass Care Navigators was there, again, with grief counseling for our employees. From a personal perspective, Bluegrass Care Navigators has helped guide me and my family through several at-home hospice stays. This support allows the family to be with their loved one

“We want to congratulate Bluegrass Care Navigators

in celebrating 30 years of service in Harrison County.

For 30 years, Bluegrass Care Navigators has provided many members in our community expert nursing and medical care, as well as emotional and spiritual support for both patients and their families. They excel at creating a comforting and peaceful environment for the individuals they have cared for. Their compassion for our community is evident in all they continue to do for our citizens. We are proud to have their services in Harrison County.” Judge/Executive Alex Barnett, Harrison County, KY

“Bluegrass Care Navigators is, and has always been, an essential partner in this community. At some point in

this life, we will all need the loving support and assistance that is provided by this great group of people. The City of Cynthiana is proud to support the work of Bluegrass Care Navigators in our city.  We are a better city because they are here to serve us when we need serving.” Mayor James Smith, Cynthiana, KY

Treating the Emotional Wellbeing of Patients and Caregivers Our Behavioral Medicine program expands care for patients and caregivers as they work through challenges that often accompany chronic illness. Using both virtual and in-person visits, Lisa King, PsyD (Director of Behavioral Medicine) and Gretchen Conway, CSW (Social Worker) assist our interdisciplinary teams to address the emotional wellbeing of our patients and their caregivers. When their Lisa King, PsyD

treatment team sees a need and makes a referral, our

patients and caregivers can receive personalized therapy to help alleviate symptoms.

Our virtual Camp Hope 2021 was a huge success!

At no cost to families, each participant received a “camp in a box” filled with supplies and activities for the fiveweek camp. Sessions covered topics like, Sharing Your Story, Identifying and Expressing Feelings, Coping with Big Feelings, and Remembering, which offered participants an opportunity to better understand their feelings of grief and learn ways to cope more effectively with those feelings. Thanks to our sponsors and community supporters, we provided support for 25 families, including 39 children and teens, and 12 parents/ guardians, from all over the state, offering everyone a sense of hope, friendship, support, and joy.

Regarding the need for mental health in Hospice and Palliative Care, Dr. King shared, “We know that chronic illness can lead

to depression and anxiety in both patients and caregivers. We also know that mental illness such as chronic depression can increase the risk of physical illnesses. We are not just bodies

in need of medicine nor simply thoughts and emotions needing expression. That is why at Bluegrass Care Navigators, we believe

in treating the whole person (body, mind and spirit) so that all can live their life to the fullest.”

Are you a Federal Employee? The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), the official workplace giving campaign of the federal government, began September 1 and runs through January 1, 2022. During the campaign, federal employees and retirees can pledge monetary support and volunteer time to approved charities. At Bluegrass Care Navigators, we are grateful for our past supporters, and we hope you will consider us as your charity of choice this year! You can make your pledge and learn more at givecfc.org.

Just search for “Bluegrass Care Navigators” or use our CFC number 29763.

(Store 4607)

Thank You! Bluegrass Care Navigators has been

awarded a $5,930 grant from the Folk

Arts and Cultures Initiative through the Berea College Appalachian Fund. This

grant will support two new BCN Integrative Medicine projects focusing on music therapy. Through the music companionship project, eastern Kentucky musicians will be trained as volunteers who will bring Appalachian and other music into the homes of seriously ill patients. The heartbeat songs project will provide opportunities for memory making and emotional

A HUGE Thank You to the students from the HCTC

Upward Bound Math and Science Program at Buckhorn

support by incorporating the patient’s recorded heartbeat into

and Cordia High Schools. They recently collected and

a song that has special meaning to them and their families. BCN

dropped off snacks and toiletry items for our patients and

is very grateful to the Berea College Appalachian Fund and the

families at the Greg and Noreen Wells Bluegrass Hospice

anonymous donor who made this special funding available.

Care Center in Hazard. We appreciate your support!

Thank You, Navigate and Sponsors! Thankyou youto toour ourCelebrate Let’sNavigate Navigate & Celebrate Celebrate Sponsors: Thank Let’s & Sponsors: Thank you to everyone who joined us in our virtual Navigate and Celebrate event from November 1–19. We are grateful for your

Thank you to our Let’s Navigate & Celebrate Sponsors: and generosity! Thank you to our support Let’s Navigate & Celebrate Sponsors: Thank you to our Let’s Navigate & Celebrate Sponsors:

Sharing our Thanks with Gratitude Pumpkins The team at Bluegrass Care Navigators recently showed our gratitude for our partners in the Frankfort and Cynthiana regions by delivering Gratitude Pumpkins. Recipients were encouraged to write messages expressing the things they are grateful for in this season of Thanksgiving. And, of course, we added some sweet treats to brighten everyone’s day. As one recipient exclaimed, “We are SO thankful for the gift and more so for the reminder – to be thankful

always!”

Howlin’ halloween

bash

Thank You to our Hazard Halloween Bash Sponsors While we are sad that we had to cancel our 2021 Halloween Bash in Hazard due to the pandemic, we are truly grateful for the sustained support and generosity of our sponsors! Presenting Sponsors