Bluegrass Care Navigators - Philanthropy Newsletter (Fall 2023)

Bluegrass Care Navigators Dedicates New Memorial Tree Sculptures

At Bluegrass Care Navigators, we are always honored to provide space for our patients and families to celebrate each other throughout their end-oflife journey. Now, with the most recent installation of our Memorial Trees at our Headquarters Campus, each of our five tribute sculptures will offer a place to memorialize the lives that our Caring Community continues to celebrate and the love that binds us all.

Nestled within our serene Memorial Garden, lovingly designed by Jon Carloftis Fine Gardens, the Memorial Trees offer our community a peaceful space to find solace, reflect on their day, and honor the memories of loved ones; and we invite all to experience a sense of tranquility and comfort as they journey through the garden.

The allure of our Memorial Trees lies not only in their emotional significance but also in their exquisite craftsmanship. Created from steel by the renowned Kentucky artists, Matthew and Karine Maynard of Maynard Studios, each tree bears a unique blend of artistry and sentimentality.

Within the intricate branches are bronze leaves, birds, animals, and flowers, carefully inscribed with the names and tribute messages of those who are remembered with love. The Maynards’ dedication to preserving the essence of cherished individuals through their artistry breathes life into these captivating sculptures and we are tremendously thankful for their work and dedication.

As we move forward, we look forward to watching the Memorial Trees and Garden continue to grow and as they become a place of solace and remembrance of the lives and legacies of those we have lost but hold dear in our hearts.

To order a Memorial Tree tribute, contact us at give@bgcarenav.org or order online at: www.bgcarenav.org/Tribute

Four Great Ways to Honor Someone

You now have the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy in honor of a family member or friend by adding to our memorial tree sculptures at our headquarters location. By purchasing a tribute, you not only honor your loved one but also show your support for our mission to provide compassionate care to those in need.

Here are four wonderful ways you can make a difference:

Small Leaf - $250: Have your loved one’s name or tribute message inscribed with two lines of up to 14 characters on a small leaf in the Memorial Garden.

Medium Leaf - $500: Leave a lasting impact with three lines of up to 16 characters on a medium leaf, commemorating your loved one’s life.

Large Leaf - $1,000: Engrave four lines of up to 18 characters on a large leaf, symbolizing the deep roots of your memories.

Bird, Animal, or Flower - $2,500: Choose a bird, animal, or flower, and inscribe four lines of up to 28 characters, celebrating the uniqueness of your loved one.

Thank You to WHAS Crusade for Children

At the heart of our Bright Path program’s philosophy is the belief that the needs of the patient, not their prognosis, should shape the care they receive. Through home-based services, the program offers specialized care, comfort, and resource navigation to those facing unimaginable challenges. Every child is unique, and their journey is met with tailored c are coordination, symptom management, shared decision-making, and anticipatory guidance.

The true magic of Bright Path lies in our presence in the homes of our patients. This allows us to be more than just health care providers; we become advocates with the families for services, resources, equipment, and treatments our youngest patients need to thrive. By improving communication between different specialists, we ensure that everyone is on the same page, creating a seamless web of support around each child and family.

This incredible impact is made possible through the support of donors from our Caring Community, like the WHAS Crusade for Children. Building on a long-standing partnership, which has seen cumulative investments exceeding $100,000, a recent grant of $9,000 from the WHAS Crusade for Children was pivotal in fulfilling our mission. Through this grant, our Bright Path program perseveres as a beacon of hope for more than 65 families each year, spanning across 12 counties in Kentucky. Our program remains committed to delivering comprehensive and compassionate care with expert navigation of the healthcare system.

As we celebrate the difference that this program is making in the lives of our patients and families, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the WHAS Crusade for Children and its dedicated Board of Directors and Advisory Panel. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to our cause. Together, we are transforming futures and creating a world where every child’s smile shines a little brighter.

Thank You for supporting our Radio Days!

Each year we have the privilege to take over the radio in our Pikeville, Barbourville, and Hazard service areas as we host our annual Radio Days. These Radio Days provide Bluegrass Care Navigators with the opportunity to educate about hospice, share the amazing work of our team, and raise money to continue providing these much-needed services to our communities in Southeastern Kentucky. We continue to be humbled by the outpouring of support and stories of gratitude and appreciation that our Caring Community shares with us.

THANK YOU TO OUR RADIO STATION PARTNERS:

Addressing Healthcare Disparities Faced by the Hispanic/ Latino Community in Northern Kentucky

Bluegrass Care Navigators continues to build a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system for our Hispanic/ Latino Community. With the support of a Duke Energy Foundation Local Impact Grant received last year, we are walking hand in hand with the community to ensure every individual receives the care they deserve, regardless of their cultural background or language proficiency.

In our efforts, we first established an advisory committee, comprised of individuals engaged within or connected to the Hispanic/Latino community. Through this group, we learned more about various healthcare issues and received feedback, helping to shape BCN strategies that better serve this community and foster a more inclusive and culturally competent healthcare environment

Through listening sessions, we heard about distressing realities regarding discrimination when accessing various healthcare systems and language barriers in care settings. We also learned that the community has limited knowledge of hospice or the importance of advance care planning. Armed with this information BCN has been working to address these issues head-on and provide targeted support to the Hispanic/Latino community by developing a care model to train our clinicians.

We are actively addressing language barriers by expanding the translation of educational and marketing materials into Spanish, facilitating improved communication with the Spanish-speaking community. In addition to these materials, we are in the process of creating a “fotonovela” – an informative booklet that employs visual storytelling to convey hospice-related messages, particularly tailored to individuals within the Spanish-speaking community who might have limited literacy skills. Additionally, we initiated the broadcasting of Spanish commercials with captions across BCN’s social media platforms, effectively enhancing awareness and the availability of our services.

These dedicated efforts have truly helped to foster increased trust and engagement from the Hispanic/Latino community. Thank you to the Duke Energy Foundation for supporting our mission and enabling us to reach more individuals who can take advantage of our expert, connected care.

Celebrating Life’s Special Moments

At Bluegrass Care Navigators, part of the comforting care that we provide every day comes in the form of helping our patients and families honor and preserve special moments, especially during difficult times such as at the end of life.

Recently, we had the opportunity to make this possible for a couple in our Pikeville service area, Eddley and Matilda Newsome. The Newsomes seldom celebrated milestones— but when their 55th wedding anniversary approached, Eddley was in our care. Our Bluegrass Hospice Care Team knew that this was likely the last anniversary the Newsomes would share so they surprised the couple with cake, ice cream, a card, and decorations for their special day.

“This anniversary was magical because without them none of this would have happened,” Matilda said. “We’d have had an anniversary, but they made it special for us.”

Thanks to your support and the comforting care we provide, Eddley and Matilda were able to truly celebrate and honor the 55 years of love they shared for one another in the comfort of their home—helping both find peace and solace.

“If I had it to do it all over, I would do it again,” Matilda said. “We had rough times and things we had to work through, but we never gave up on each other.”

Eddley passed five days after their anniversary celebration, and Matilda is grateful for the years God gave them.

“I know in my heart that he held on because he wanted to spend that anniversary with me. It was so heartfelt and wonderful that we got to spend it together.”

The generosity we receive from our Caring Community supports our care teams as they work with patients and families to organize surprise parties, arrange intimate family reunions, and help fulfill wishes for patients, ensuring that these special occasions are filled with love, laughter, and a renewed sense of togetherness.

“With hospice work, we want to squeeze out every bit of celebration of life we can,” says Andrea Tackett, Chaplain in the Pikeville Office. “When we’re journeying with someone toward the end of life, every accomplishment is a milestone and everything is worthy of a celebration, but it’s pretty rare to get to celebrate something this significant with a couple.”

Looking for a career where your expertise and passions are valued? Join TeamBCN!

Our primary goal is to provide compassionate physical, emotional and spiritual care to patients and their families coping with serious illness. Do your personal goals align with ours? If so, we’d love to have you apply to join our team!

See what careers are currently available. bgcarenav.org/careers

BCN Helps Patient Celebrate Century of Life

On July 22, Ruth Manning gathered with more than 60 family members in Northern Kentucky to celebrate her 100th birthday two days after being admitted into hospice care. Due to her disease progression, she was unable to sit in her wheelchair safely and her family was concerned that she wouldn’t be able to attend her party. Recognizing her family’s goal of care, the Bluegrass Hospice Care team collaborated to move up her admission date. Within 24 hours of her admission, they coordinated the delivery of a Broda chair that provides supportive positioning so that Ruth could safely attend and celebrate her birthday party.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” Patricia Roenker, Ruth’s daughter said. “The chair was a lifesaver because it allowed Mom to attend her party and celebrate this milestone with us. The staff at Madonna Manor where Mom stays also used the chair for the next few days to take her to the dining room and engage with her community at the Manor.”

Although battling dementia, Ruth seemed genuinely happy to see her family, even taking a bite of her favorite lemon cake.

“My favorite memory is of me bending over Mom’s chair with her cake and the candle while everyone sang happy birthday and her looking at the cake sort of in awe,” Patricia said. “That was a moment that just struck me that this is really happening.”

During the celebration, Ruth even got to hold the newest member of the family, her 6-month-old great grandnephew. Everyone left the party with memories they’ll never forget.

“Getting to be part of celebrations like this is just so rewarding,” shares Suzanne Rineer, Ruth’s hospice nurse. “My job is to help patients die well, and it’s nice to celebrate something lifegiving to help the family find joy. Those little memories of happy, joyfilled moments help with the sorrow and the grieving process after their loved one’s passing.”

Music to Validate Life

Recently, BCN Music Therapist, Emma Powers, had the opportunity to work with a patient who is living with late-stage dementia. The patient’s symptoms have progressed to the point where he’s forgotten most activities of daily living, including how to feed himself, how to walk, and how to speak. Due to this, the majority of the patient’s time is spent lying in his bed at the facility where he lives and watches television all day long.

During her visits with him, however, the patient has the opportunity to remember a vibrant life prior to his dementia, one filled with many activities, including playing saxophone. “As I play and sing for him, he watches me and smiles tearfully, sometimes attempting to speak, but mostly just listening. I can see in his expression how validating it is for him that I play songs he used to play on the saxophone. The music brings back memories of a happy time in his life,” Emma explains. Sometimes it can provide meaning in a way nothing else can. “During our sessions, he feels, I hope, like a person again, and not just a hospice patient.”

East Perry Save the Children Summer Boost Program Provides Support

We were delighted to partner with East Perry Save the Children Summer Boost program this summer as they led a donation drive for the Greg and Noreen Wells Hospice Care Center, made care packages for our staff, and painted suncatchers to brighten patient rooms. Thank you so much for joining us in providing expert, compassionate care!

Helping Provide Respite for Caregivers

When Lee Keller suffered a traumatic brain injury in January 2021, he and his wife, Lynne, knew that their lives would never be the same. For a year following his injury, Lynne took care of Lee on her own and describes that time as “extremely challenging”. Lee began suffering from hallucinations, seizures and uncontrollable behaviors, and the couple were averaging two trips to the emergency room each month for six months.

At their doctor’s recommendation, they signed up for hospice care with Bluegrass Care Navigators. Our clinicians were able to adjust Lee’s medications to balance his moods and behaviors and offered 24/7 nursing support.

In the fall of 2022, however, Lynne was diagnosed with breast cancer. “I had no idea that wh going to end up being diagnosed with breast cancer,” Lynne said, “and Bluegrass Care Navigato

With regular treatments needed for her own care and wellbeing, our care team was there for the Ke care for Lee, but also to provided daily respite care for two months so Lynne could receive her treatment without having to worry about Lee.

“I did not miss a single appointment in two months because there was always somebody here. That’s worth more than anything I can put value on because I worry about him if I can’t be here, and I knew he would be well taken care of,” Lynn said.

Support for Bluegrass Care Navigators helps to ensure that we are able to provide services like respite care, so that caregivers can have the time that they need to take care of themselves without having to worry about their loved one.

“The most important thing I got from Bluegrass Care Navigators was their commitment to excellence. I never felt like I was one of a whole bunch of people. I felt like they put us first and no matter what the need was, they found a way to help and to meet our needs," Lynne said.

Thank You to the Woolery in Frankfort

The Compassion Shawl project in the Frankfort region received a boost from dozens of skeins of yarn donated by the Woolery in Frankfort, and we are truly grateful for their support. This donation will be used by dedicated volunteer crocheters to make Compassion Shawls for hospice patients. Since 2018, these crocheters have created more than 850 shawls! If you would like to get involved, you can contact Volunteer Liaison Jennifer Hubbard in Frankfort by email at jhubbard@bgcarenav.org.

BY

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21

8 PM-MIDNIGHT

ArtStation, 655 Main St, Hazard, KY 41701

DINNER, DANCING, COSTUME CONTEST & MORE!

606.331.8967 | tshepherd@bgcarenav.org

Proceeds benefit the Greg & Noreen Wells Bluegrass Hospice Care Center

You must be 21 to ATTEND Costume Optional

11.1.23

https://www.bgcarenav.org/HalloweenBash

Leaving a Legacy with BCN

If you’ve ever wondered about how you can help ensure our hospice services remain a steadfast recource for our community, join us for this Planned Giving Panel! Enjoy light refreshments and learn from our panel of donors as they discuss a variety of ways that they’ve made a planned gift and why they decided to leave a legacy that will support our mission long into the future.

Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | 5:30–7 p.m.

BLUEGRASS CARE NAVIGATORS HEADQUARTERS, 1733 HARRODSBURG ROAD, LEXINGTON KY 40504

RSVP to Cassi Kline at ckline@bgcarenav.org

Casual Attire

Bluegrass Care Navigators will be participating in the GoodGiving Challenge again this year! This week-long online giving event makes giving to local nonprofits easy and fun with a variety of matching challenges that help make your impact that much larger! Mark your calendars now, spread the word, and help us raise funds to support the many services and programs we offer communities!

9 AM TUESDAY, NOV. 28–11:59 PM FRIDAY, DEC. 1 | BGGIVES.ORG

PRESENTED

Laura Feltner State Farm Insurance & Fugate Family Chiropractic

Charitable Gift Annuity: A Gift That Pays You Income

There is a way for you to support Bluegrass Care Navigators and feel confident that you have dependable income in your retirement years. You can do this with a charitable gift annuity.

With a charitable gift annuity, you agree to make a gift to Bluegrass Care Navigators and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life. The balance is used to support our work.

If you fund your gift annuity with cash or appreciated stock, you qualify for a federal income tax deduction if you itemize. In addition, you can minimize capital gains taxes when you fund your gift with appreciated stock.

And now, you can fund your gift using your IRA assets. If you are 70½ and older, you can make a one-time election of up to $50,000 to fund a gift annuity. While your gift does not qualify for an income tax deduction, it does escape income tax liability on the transfer and count toward all or part of your required minimum distributions.

For more information, please contact Laura Klumb at: lklumb@bgcarenav.org or 859.684.5605