NEIGHBORS CARING FOR NEIGHBORS: HOUSE OF JOHN NEARS 30 YEARS CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY

BY SUZIE WELLS

At the House of John, a comfort care home on Spring Street in Cli on Springs, sta and volunteers work hard to provide physical care, emotional support, and spiritual sustenance as its terminally diagnosed residents approach the end of their lives. September 2023 marks 30 years the House of John has helped 786+ residents and their families.

e House of John provides compassionate care, and the phenomenal team there feels “privileged to be present with family and loved ones during bereavement.” Executive Director since 2018, Kathy Barrick, RN, says their well-trained sta and volunteers are dedicated to the care of the dying and their families. She says, “Working with the family and helping them through this transition as peacefully and comfortably as possible is so rewarding. It truly is a privilege to provide care to both the resident and their family.” law compared with the institutional regulations when my dad passed in a Rochester hospital’s palliative care unit where he could have no more than two visitors at any time. I have a small family, but still we needed to take turns being with Dad, which added another layer of stress.

House of John was born in the hearts of two dedicated Registered Nurses and nurtured by a supportive community. Key to the House is caring for the dying in a comfortable, home-like setting. is care provides an alternative to dying at home or in an institutional setting. e house was given to House of John by St. Felix Church for use for many years until House of John, Inc. eventually purchased the home. Over the years, renovations made the home more comfortable for residents and their families.

Barrick says, “We’ve seen rsthand the kind of positive impact that neighbors taking care of neighbors can have in a community. In a world that seems to be in constant turmoil, some things remain the same. One of those is the compassion and care given to those who come to call House of John home during the end of their life. We feel honored to share in the journey with them.”

“Everyone deserves to be surrounded by kindness and love at the end of their life. House of John has provided a home for people to experience that alongside loved ones for the last 29 years at no cost to the resident or family.” Care at the House is covered by community donations, such as raised at their annual Casino Night, Wine Makers Dinner, Golf Tournament, and an Annual Appeal letter.

CommunitymembersareinvitedtohelptheHouseofJohnthrough donations or by volunteering. Barrick says, “Volunteers are the heart of our home! I do believe if you asked each of our volunteers, they would tell you that they get out more than they give. We may not have enough volunteers right now, but we have the very best volunteers!” e House has two large resident bedrooms with ample space for care, as well as a large open living room, kitchen, and dining space on the rst oor. Families could prepare meals in the large kitchen. Truly, the hospitality of the sta and volunteers was so helpful at that stressful time.

When my mother-in-law was in her nal weeks, the House of John was an incredible space for the extended family to congregate, take turns visiting Donna in her bedroom, but also just be with each other, sharing meals, and catching up on life’s adventures. Donna’s siblings and cousins came from across the country to bid farewell, and the House of John was the perfect space for such goodbyes.

Upstairs at the House of John features bedrooms including a kids’ space with toys, games, and books, which was valuable to my family, as I could take the girls upstairs when they became antsy and needed a break from the family on the many times we spent all day at the House. End of life is stressful regardless of the situation, and the House of John allows families to be together during that time.

Goodness knows that we as a family greatly appreciated the community allowed at the House of John for my mother-in-

Barrick explains that since COVID reduced the House of John’s admission numbers (only one resident admitted at a time instead of the two capacity), they have had to keep the second bed closed due to low volunteer numbers. e House has two full-time daytime sta members including Barrick, as well as three part-time overnight caregivers. Volunteers cover the remaining shi s. Barrick would love to open the House’s second bed if volunteer coverage doubles.

To help, no special skills or medical background are needed, just a kind spirit, helpful hands, and a ready smile. Training is provided and volunteer hours are exible. To learn more about the House of John, visit houseo ohn.org or follow them on Facebook.

NOW HERE’S A TIP

By JoAnn Derson

* Check your local newspaper or city/county government for programs that provide free or near free water barrels or trees. Many areas have a program, and they really do help keep your water costs down if you have flowers or vegetable gardens.

* To keep the edges of lettuce from browning, tear it or use a plastic knife sold just for this purpose. Metal will make the edges brown.

* “If you want same-size cookies, roll and freeze your dough for 10-15 minutes. Most doughs will harden enough to slice into perfectly uniform slices, and the freezing doesn’t really affect cooking time too much. (Watch your first batch, though.)” -- R.L. in Missouri

* If you are reattaching a button to shorts or pants, try using dental floss, the unwaxed kind. It’s much stronger and can hold the button better than regular thread. Use a marker to darken it if the color is an issue.

* “Shaving cream can be used as a spot remover for many carpets. Use only a small amount, and follow up with a damp cloth.” -D.L. in New Brunswick, Canada

* “To prevent a skin from forming on the top of a can of leftover paint, you can inflate a balloon and stick it in the can, cut a piece of wax paper to fit or store the can inverted, so that the skin will form on the bottom and stay there when you flip it.” -- W.B. in

Alabama

DID YOU KNOW?

Dogs are wildly popular pets. The American Pet Products Association says there are 63.4 million households in the United States that have a dog, and with the exception of 2002 and 2015, that number has steadily risen since 2000. Certain breeds remain especially popular among dog owners. In August 2021, the pet insurance provider Trupanion released the most popular dog breeds of 2020, and the top five breeds were:

1. Labrador retriever

2. Golden retriever

3. Goldendoodle

4. German shepherd

5. Labradoodle

By Sam Mazzotta

In Cats, Ear Infection Can Have Subtle Symptoms

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My cat Chester seemed perfectly healthy, but when I brought him in for his annual checkup, the veterinarian said that he has an ear infection. I didn’t notice any behavior or odd symptoms previously. I gave Chester the expensive eardrops he was prescribed, and he seems just ne. Was the vet just making up the infection? -- Jeanine C., Bu alo, New York

DEAR JEANINE: Cats are really good at hiding the symptoms of an illness. I’m glad you brought Chester in for his regular checkup, because those are very helpful in determining hidden acute problems like an ear infection, and noting potential problems (for example, if his weight is getting higher than normal, or he’s developing arthritis).

Now that Chester has been treated, keep an eye out for signs of the infection recurring. Look, listen and smell (yes, smell!) around his ears periodically and note certain behaviors. Hold Chester on your lap and shine a little ashlight into each ear.

A healthy ear is pale pink, with little to no earwax visible and no debris.

Trouble signs include: A strong odor from the ear; lots of earwax buildup; debris or discharge that looks like co ee grounds; or discharge that is yellow or black. You (or the vet) may see redness or swelling of the ear ap or in the ear canal.

Ear infections cause behavioral changes, too. Some of them are subtle: Chester may shake his head a er you scratch around his ears, or he may tilt his head more in one direction than another. More serious symptoms include loss of balance, disorientation, hearing loss or even facial paralysis.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.