The Journey July 2011
Passages Hospice Dreams
Big This Summer!
How Does Your Garden Grow
Passages Through Time
graduates 31 new Dementia Specialists
Your passage to care and comfort.
Our Mission
Passages is dedicated to the human spirit — helping patients and families cross a road they may have never faced before. We provide the courage to see the beauty in this last journey and give the expertise that provides the comfort, care and support needed for each step of the way.
Administrators Seth Gillman Gwen Hilsabeck
From the Administrator Seth Gillman
In a recent study by the National Journal and The Regence Foundation, 71% of Americans said that the quality of their life is more important than its length. That belief is the essence of the hospice philosophy. That philosophy recognizes that death is a natural part of the life cycle, and that joy, excitement and celebration can be present even as life is ending.
Medical Director Dr. Birinder Marwah
We at Passages Hospice strive to bring this idea to each patient and family we serve. Comfort is the most important service we provide. Whether that comfort is physical, spiritual or emotional, allowing you to enjoy life is our highest mission.
Social Services Amy Aalberts Interim Roxxi Davis Welcome 8.8.11
From pain medication and massage therapy to visiting with family pets and sharing holidays, each one of us at Passages Hospice is dedicated to putting as much living in your life as possible. When you have chosen to focus on the quality of your life rather than its length, Passages staff will walk with you on the journey.
Spiritual Care Joe Barefield Clinical Services Carmen Velez Physician Services Chris Doyle Admissions Lee Moore PR & Foundation Kansas Swain Phone: 847-695-1431 Email: info@passageshospice.com On the web: www.passageshospice.com Passages Hospice
To rejoice in another's prosperity, is to give content to your own lot: to mitigate another's grief, is to alleviate or dispel your own. - Thomas Edwards. 2
Through the eyes of a chaplain's assistant
Ministry of presence
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As the Chaplain Services Assistant, I work with all of the Chaplains in the State. I do a lot of work behind the scenes to assist them, and my immediate director, Joe Barefield. I am responsible for creating the bereavement letters that go out to our family members at various times throughout their 12-months on bereavement services. I work with our Director of Bereavement Services, Andrew Vitale, on this side as does our newest member to the Chaplain/ Bereavement staff, Kim Carlson. Together, we keep each other in check as we each complete our various tasks for our patients and their families.
From a personal perspective, most recently, I was on the ‘receiving end’ of Passages Hospice services. My mother, Irene Penzi, was placed on Grace Rathke, Chaplain's Assistant hospice care. The teamwork and support of the hospice team, from nursing to the office staff, played a very important role to me and my family. I write this in her memory and honor. Passages Hospice is not only a wonderful group of people who assist others when the time comes for hospice care, but also a great place to work.
Social Scene Piano Hand
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any of the individuals that I meet have advanced dementia, and I enjoy interacting with them. The process of breaking down dementia’s barriers and connecting on a purely Deb Buscemi, Social Worker human level is intriguing, interesting and thrilling. It brings me great joy to make a connection with an individual with dementia.
like for me if I were that individual with dementia. I would want others to communicate with me. I was especially pleased and shocked at her response. She was reclining in the Broda chair with her eyes open. I began talking to her and she looked at me and gave eye contact. I smiled and touched her arm and began to ask her questions.
She was there with me in that moment. She was Recently, I was asked to go out to see someone recently present. We were making a connection. admitted to hospice. This was my first time meeting her. I was informed that she was bedridden, could no When I asked her if she liked music, she looked straight longer communicate because of advanced dementia, into my eyes, reached out for my hand and then and spent most of her time sleeping. gestured as if playing the piano! What a thrill! It is these moments that I cherish. If I can make a difference Even so, I have learned to never count anybody out but in someone’s life today, that is my hope. to look for moments of connection. Human beings long for connection. I try to imagine what it would be
Passages Hospice
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HO-HO-HO
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Volunteer Program
he Volunteer Department is celebrating Christmas in July. Actually, we’re celebrating one of our unique volunteers, Jim Lellman - also known as Santa Jim. “ Jim started his Santa career in 2009 when his wife, Jane, volunteered him to be Santa at the nursing home where she works. He enjoyed the experience and was sure he wanted to do it again so he started growing a beard. To his and Jane’s surprise it came in pure white! In addition to his friendly and gentle personality, Jim has a genuine full white beard. Since then, he’s appeared as Santa for various charities, served as the Yorktown Mall Santa and visited Jane’s nursing home again last year. Jim started volunteering for Passages Hospice in February and really enjoys spending bringing joy to others. “I decided that I could make people happy all year ‘round, not just at Christmas, if I volunteered at Passages. I found it was easy to do, and it’s immensely rewarding. I am making new friends all the time,” said Jim.
In addition to being a Passages Hospice volunteer, Jim is a member of ClausNet and the Fellowship of Real Bearded Santas. Jane is currently in Passages Hospice Volunteer training and is scheduled to join our volunteer team later this month. And just in case you were wondering, Jane does join Jim at his Santa appearances as Mrs. Claus.
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Welcome new volunteers! Rebecca Samson Hellain Wormley Sneha Gaikwad Dane Digangi Linda Jakes-Storball
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dmissions Coordinator Todd Adams, his wife Melanie, his daughter Lauren, CNA Danielle Hanus and LPN Stephanie Birsa helped spruce up the garden at Fairview Care Center in Joliet. Now, residents have a beautiful area to relax in!
Want more info? Contact our Regional Hospice Support Service Coordinator
Trish Thein 630-945-2172
MORE >> Click here to visit the volunteer program online. Passages Hospice
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Ways to Give
Volunteer Program
Direct Care Patient and Family Support Volunteers provide personal care, emotional support, and practical assistance to patients and families. Reading / Talking / Listening Assisting with memory projects Playing games Going for a walk
Indirect Care Bereavement Assistant Volunteers provide clerical assistance with Bereavement After Care under the supervision of the Bereavement and/or Social Work staff. Mailings Filing Photocopying Data Entry
Events, Dreams, and Transportation Volunteers provide practical assistance and support at special events. One-time volunteer services from such as quilters, choirs, clubs and scouts are included. Minor errands Light household tasks Seasonal and holiday projects
Office Assistant Volunteers provide clerical assistance with patient record keeping. Mailings Filing Photocopying Data entry
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Baby Boomer's Recognition Day is July 21
he first Baby Boomers are turning 65 this year! Baby Boomers are the generation born between 1946 and 1964, as soldiers returned from World War II and started families. Today, Baby Boomers account for about a quarter of all Americans. Many Baby Boomers are responsible for caring for their own aging parents. A large portion of our patients' children fall into the Baby Boomer generation. But while Boomers are becoming more and more responsible for end-of-life decision making for their parents, as a whole, they tend to avoid planning for their own end-of-life care. It's never too early to begin making those decisions.
Passages Hospice
Advance directives are legal documents that explain what type and how much care you want. In Illinois, they include a living will and a healthcare power of attorney. Even if you're in good health now, it's best to have the documents in place in case of an accident. Boomers are independent and may find it difficult to discuss the topic of death with their family. But creating your advance directives ahead of time will save loved ones the pain of making difficult decisions for you, or guessing what you would have wanted. Celebrate your day, Baby Boomers! You wrote the book that the younger generations are reading today. For more information on advance directives, visit www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org or www.caringinfo.org.
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Passages Hospice Dreams
Passages Hospice Dreams big this summer!
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hanks to you and our dedicated community partners, Passages Hospice Dreams will fulfill a record-breaking number of Dreams this summer! The nicer weather and special events that accompany summer have allowed us to surpass last year's record. This achievement would not be possible without the generous financial and in-kind donations from families and businesses across the state. Every donation, large or small, helps make a Dream come true.
Passages Hospice Dream Foundation is now Passages Hospice Dreams
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eginning July 1st, the Passages Hospice Dream Foundation will officially be called Passages Hospice Dreams. The new name is shorter, simpler and better reflects the organization's goals of fulfilling unmet wishes and improving quality of life for hospice patients everywhere. Only the name has changed - the mission is still the same. Thank you for your continued support of Passages Hospice Dreams and its efforts to bring joy to hospice patients and help families make special memories!
Passages Hospice
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Passages Hospice Dreams
D ream O n
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rances Mumm never asks for much. She’s a simple woman, content to observe others and enjoy her home at Champaign-Urbana Rehabilitation. One concession to Frances’s simplicity is her hair, which she always kept well styled. But as a hospice patient, afternoons at the salon are few and far between. In an early celebration of her birthday on June 24th, Frances enjoyed an entire afternoon of spa and salon treatments, including a massage, a manicure, a pedicure, and a haircut and styling. “If I could jump, I would,” Frances said of her excitement.
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acqueline Jack and her family had a special afternoon at Sweet Tomatoes in St. Charles on June 18th. Jacqueline, her sister Sandy, her son Keith and her granddaughter Mandy sampled all the choices Sweet Tomatoes has to offer. The family enjoyed a V.I.P. seating area in the restaurant, complete with tablecloth, flowers, and complimentary desert as a gift from the restaurant. "It's all about you, grandma!" her granddaughter Mandy said.
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ohn and Marissa Viewn may be Ukranian, but it's Polish food they craved. On June 2nd, John and Marissa enjoyed a gourmet Polish meal from the comfort of their home at Lee Manor in Des Plaines. The Viewns enjoyed chicken soup, barley soup, potato and cheese pierogies, fried fish with sauerkraut, pork schnitzel with potatoes and cheesecake! They listened to Polish music during lunch and reminisced about their childhood in Europe.
Passages Hospice
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Passages Hospice Dreams
Go, Cubs, Go
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ummertime in the Midwest means baseball! This year, Passages Hospice Dreams has teamed up with the Chicago Cubs for a home run season of V.I.P. experiences. Here are some highlights:
Four generation of Wisnieski men celebrated a special day at Wrigley Field.
Ricky Berry has always been a Cubs fan from afar, cheering for the team from his hometown of Rockford, nearly two hours from Wrigley Field. But on May 24th, Ricky was the guest of honor during his first trip to the historic ballpark with an on-field experience and an exclusive pre-game meet-and-greet session with the Cubs players and coaches.
Ricky Berry was all decked out in his Cubs gear.
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rank Wisniewski grew up as a Cubs fan. When his son Dale was born, Frank brought Dale up in the way of the Cubs too. Then Dale passed it on to his own sons, Roman and Nick. And now, more than 50 years later, Frank is teaching his great-grandson Luca, 3, all about the boys in blue. On June 1st, four generations of Wisniewski men attended their first Cubs game together.
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It was incredible," Dale said.
Craig Wolff remembers going to Cubs games with his family as a child, enjoying the energy of the crowd and the ballpark food. On June 28th, Craig got to see Wrigley Field in a whole new way - from the field itself. Craig was given a Cubs shirt and hat and led onto the field to meet pitcher Randy Wells. Later, Craig enjoyed all the tastes of the ballpark with a pretzel, pizza, ice cream and soda.
Craig Wolff got a change to go onto the field!
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une Price lived in an apartment across from Wrigley Field when she was in her 20s. She and her friends would party their way through baseball season in true Chicago style. But it'd been 20 years since June saw a Cubs game, so on June 16th, she was the guest of honor. June and her family enjoyed a limousine ride to and from the stadium and special seating. She even met her favorite player, Kosuke Fukudome!
June Price posed for a picture with Kosuke Fukudome.
MORE >> Click here to learn more about the Passages Dreams. Passages Hospice
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Passages Hospice Dreams
Memorial Gifts Admiral Crone Jill Schmidt Albert Dose Timothy and Ellen Feddersen Richard and Diane Strack David and Susan Delong Marcia Thompson Richard and Diane Strack Bernadine Hurley Patricia Walsh Bill Cooper Russell and Sylvia Kramer Richard and Kathleen Williams Janice Edmund Mary Jane Meyers David and Derri Bowers Tim and Carla Gonigam Bob Crabtree Charles and Kathleen Crabtree Mrs. Barbara Crabtree
Ed Pollar Richard and Barbara Fink Peter and Pamela Davis Eugene Deneen Santina Deneen Ida Antonacii Robert and Dolores Howe Jack Lundy Rick and Frances Strebing Adrian and Marcia Peters Vincent and Judith Addicks Melissa Cramer and Family Don and Stephanie Gubelman
Virginia Kessler Irwin Chapel Steve and Judith Schuerman James and Cynthia Haynes Gary and Mary Kay Harris Edward and Mary Croxford Jack and Janice Llewellyn Wayne Peak Julie Gannaway and the Peak Family William Cassity Michael and Trisha Smith Gayann Range
John Lundy James and Mary Mansfield Priscilla Cade Kenny Boen Shirley Humphrey Mark, Julie Menke and Family
Donna Patterson John and Susan Ringwald
Unknown Robyn Wilberg
Doris White Nelson and Teresa Eberly
Vergal McGuire Dr. Phillip and Deborah Nuernberg
Your gift will make a difference.
A gift in any amount brings hope and joy to a hospice patient and a family. The Passages Dream Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization and donations are tax-deductible.
I wish to make a gift of $_________ in (circle one) memory/honor of ___________________________________ . Name _______________________________________
Address _______________________________________
_______________________________________ FASTER >> Donate online via Paypal by clicking here. _______________________________________
Mail to: Passages Dreams, 134 N. McLean Blvd., Elgin, IL 60123 Please consult your financial advisor about how this donation affects your taxes. Passages Hospice
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Passages Through Time graduates 31 new Dementia Specialists
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assages Hospice now has more than 100 Dementia Specialists on staff to provide specialized care for patients with memory disorders. To qualify as a Dementia Specialist, staff complete a 6-week course that covers the stages and progression of dementia, techniques for communicating with dementia patients, ways to create positive environments for those with dementia and more. “In caring for persons with life-limiting illnesses, we try to educate our staff in all aspects of care,� said Corey Tague, Hospice Educator. Dementia Specialist training is available to any staff member through the Passages Through Time program. More than half of Passages Hospice patients have some level of dementia, and staff are specially trained to offer individualized care, depending on the patient's level of dementia and other factors. Passages Hospice staff members graduated from the Passages Through Time course on June 28th in the Chicago area.
Welcome Mozart!
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e are proud to welcome the third PARO robot to our family! Mozart joined us on June 28th and is getting to her his/her new role! Mozart will serve patients in Michigan beginning later in the summer.
Mozart's name was chosen by April Nozicka through a naming contest. April chose the name Mozart because Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, unknowingly contributed comfort to the lives of patients with Alzheimer's and dementia. Congratulations, April on choosing a great name, and welcome Mozart to the Passages Hospice family! Be sure to check out next months newsletter for more pictures. Passages Hospice
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Passing It On... Staff gives back
Wanted: A Cure
Emily O'Malley, Regional Marketing Director (Rockford area), is going behind bars to find a cure for Muscular Dystrophy! She will be a part of the Stars Behind Bars event onWednesday, July 27th at Franchesco's in Rockford. Emily will be raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association to help "bail" herself out of jail. GIVE >> Click here to donate to the MDA and help get Emily free! Passages Hospice staff are priveleged to work with wonderful people and in great communities across the state. We're committed to giving back to both local and larger causes to improve ourselves, our company and our communities.
Showing Acts of Love and Support
Passages Hospice is at bat in Streator
CNA Meghan Switzer and Vera Moore, enjoying a casual swing in the summer air.
Good luck to the Passages Hospice softball team in the Streator community league! Make us proud!
Watch for nexts months Act of Love and Support. You can pay it forward by sending in these sightings of kindness.
Kudos Korner
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Chrissy Cataldo Chaplain Champaign, IL
haplain Chrissy Cataldo serves the Champaign area and is described as “very warm and caring” by her coworkers. Admissions Coordinator Kirk Swanson credits Chrissy with making his job easier by welcoming him into Passages Hospice with open arms.
"We have developed a wonderful friendship and working relationship in a short time," said Kirk. Chrissy is applauded for her dedication to building a good rapport with her patients, families and coworkers. No matter how many families she meets, Chrissy is very genuine and naturally draws people to her. “Not only is she warm and caring, but funny. She does not take herself too seriously and finds a positive side to every situation,” Kirk said. Passages Hospice
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Providing Quality Care In: Swansea, IL 16 Bronzepoint Blvd., Ste. A Swansea, IL 62226 Phone: 618.234.7078 Fax: 618.257.7266
www.passageshospice.com
Grand Opening of our Lisle corporate office and Swansea office this month. Our company is growing and so are our locations!
Your passage to care and comfort. Our Mission and Philosophy We are dedicated to excellence and family-centered care. We are dedicated to being receptive to each patient’s social, emotional, and intellectual safety and physical needs. We are dedicated to enhancing quality of life by promoting and restoring health, calming suffering, and possessing continued compassion for the sick and dying in a way that ensures dignity and respect.
Bloomington, IL 404 N. Hershey Road, Ste. A Bloomington, IL 61704 Phone: 309.828.8139 Fax: 309.827.4878 Elgin, IL 515 Warrenville Road Lisle, IL 60532 Phone: 630.824.0400 Rockford, IL 929 S. Alpine Road, Ste. 202 Rockford, IL 61108 Phone: 815.226.7785 Fax: 815.226.7786 Southfield, MI 21411 Civic Center Dr., Ste. 101 Southfield, MI 48076 Phone: 248.569.4610 Fax: 248.569.4764
We are dedicated to working with professionals who follow the highest values of excellence to establish an individualized plan of care offering personal choices and decisions, while still maintaining each patient’s uniqueness. We are dedicated to a level of care that encourages the safe and cost-effective delivery of hospice care, maximizing patient sovereignty and coordination of community and agency resources, and promoting optimistic outcomes.
We are dedicated to the human spirit. www.facebook.com/PassagesHospice
@PassagesHospice
www.youtube.com/user/PassagesHospice
www.passageshospice.com Passages Hospice
info@passageshospice.com 12