The Journey May - June 2013

The

JOURNEY

Your life. Your choice. Your Passage.

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nd Annual

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Healthcare Heroes Nominate your favorite caregiver

PARO The exhibit!

Displayed at Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago

Plus Easy summer activities for nursing homes

Celebrations:

Nurses and CNA Week

May - June 2013 Contributors:

Providing Quality Care In: Bloomington, IL

404 N. Hershey Road, Ste. A Bloomington, IL 61704 Phone: 309.828.8139 Fax: 309.827.4878

Editorial

Kaitlyn Henderson Kansas Swain

Swansea, IL

16 Bronze Pointe Blvd.

Swansea, IL 62226 Phone: 618.234.7078 Fax: 618.257.7266

Art Direction

Carbondale, IL

Carmel, IN

Staff photographers supplied all photos in this newsletter unless otherwise specified.

Lisle, IL

St. Louis, MO

Rockford, IL

Janesville, WI

120 North Tower Rd., Ste. A Carbondale, IL 62901 Phone: 618.490.1040

515 Warrenville Road Lisle, IL 60532 Phone: 630.824.0400 Fax: 630.395.9235

929 S. Alpine Road, Ste. 202 Rockford, IL 61108 Phone: 815.226.7785 Fax: 815.226.7786

1120 South Sixth Street, Ste. 500 St. Louis, MO 63104 Phone: 314-241-5700 Fax: 314-241-0441

1828 N. Washington St., Ste., 170 Janesville, WI 53548 Phone: 608.531.2212

As part of our continuing commitment to compliance we are encouraging facilities and other partners to use this number if they have a concern.

May - June 2013 The Journey

Photography

2325 Pointe Parkway, Ste. 110 Carmel, IN 46032 Phone: 317.564.8779

Anonymous Compliance Hotline 855-366-5093

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Kamie Freeland

All photographs are property of Passages Hospice and may not be reproduced without permission.

Contact pr@passageshospice. com for permission or questions.

This issue of The Journey was made available to the public on May 2, 2013 through issuu. View the issue at http://issuu.com/ passageshospice/docs/the_journey_may_-_june_2013_issuu

orch T AWARD

Marketplace Ethics

2013 Honorable Mention Trust • Performance • Integrity

Chief Medical Officer Rajiv Kandala, MD

Chief Compliance Officer Dan Untch

Chief Marketing Officer Shelley Johansen

Chief Financial Officer

Index: Keep the ball rolling on Dad’s health...3 Healthy aging - it’s easy............................4 Friends at the end: Volunteer Program.........................................................5

Sandy Szajkovics

Easy summer activities.............................6

Social Services

In the media..................................................6

Roxxi Davis

Spiritual Care David Weiss

Clinical Services

Recognizing our caregivers....................7 CNAs - a special kind of care...................8

Carmen Velez

Second annual Healthcare Heroes event................................................................9

Physician and Hospital Services

Healthcare Heroes 2012.........................10

Jacob Matich

Palliative Care

Arctic animals, warm hearts....................11

Emily O’Malley

PARO: the exhibit......................................12

Public Relations and Foundation Development

Nursing homes awarded five-star ratings..........................................................13

Kansas Swain

Phone 1-888-741-8985 Toll-free Email info@passageshospice.com Web www.passageshospice.com Connect

National Nursing Home Week 2012...14

Keep the ball rolling on Dad's health!

Nobody tosses a football like Dad, so take some time dur check on his health. Regular examinations can be key to early stages. Men are half as likely to visit a doctor than w keep his scheduled visits for preventative services.

In general, men are at a higher risk for hearing loss and hig and are believed to have weaker immune systems. In fact, m than women on average.

If Dad’s over 65, make sure he’s taking advance of Medica glaucoma and HIV. Medicare also covers preventative pneumonia, and Hepatitis B.

Important Dates: June - Men’s Health September - Prostate Health November - National Diabetes Month December - Influenza Awareness Week

Be sure to follow the recommended schedule for colorectal Almost 50,000 men die each year from these cancers. The go of men with these cancers has been shrinking for more tha of regular screening tests!

Heart disease is still the #1 cause of death for men. If he high blood pressure or cholesterol or a family history of he regularly to monitor these conditions.

ring Men’s Health Month to o catching problems in their women, so encourage Dad to

gh cholesterol than women, men live about five years less

are-provided screenings for immunizations for the flu,

l and prostate cancer checks. ood news is that the number an 20 years - in part because

e has other risk factors like eart disease, see a physician

It’s possible to stay healthy as we age!

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has a few recommendations:

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Take all your prescribed medicines and ask your physician if a daily aspirin could help.

Get a flu shot every year, and if you’re over 65, get a pneumonia shot.

Get to a healthy weight and stay there by eating well and exercising regularly.

Even though our bodies are changing, we can still maintain healthy habits.

Staying in touch with your doctor is a great place to start. Learn about all the benefits from your Medicare enrollment at www.medicare.gov. For more information about staying healthy as you age, visit www.womenshealth.gov.

Hospice care is also a Medicare benefit. For more information, please visit us online at www.passageshospice.com.

Before starting any diet or exercise regimen, please consult your physician for safety.

May - June 2013 The Journey

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ast month, the Passages Hospice Volunteer Program surpassed a record-breaking 100 volunteers, contributing more than 5,000 hours to our patients and their families in 2012!

“We are continuously inspired by their commitment,” says Volunteer Manager Nicole Brokaw. “The entire interdisciplinary team sees the impact these actions make on our patients and their families.”

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering with Passages Hospice, please contact volunteer@passageshospice.com

To celebrate this milestone, Volunteer Appreciation events are being held in each of our service areas.

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New Volunteers

North Chicago Area: Meghan Harken Tim Brown Samer Abushabaan Jessica Haag Emily Berman Athyun Nagelli South Chicago Area: Daniela Bueno Alex Guillen Jesus Navejas Chelsea Van Sickle Cindy Rumbaugh Bloomington Area: Thomas Graham Swansea Area: Torri Withrow Ta-keela Lee Karen Hobson Tiffany Fry

Southern Illinois Volunteer Coordinator Darla Watkins hosted an event at the Swansea office on February 19.

Nearby staff were able to meet the volunteers and thank them for spending time with our patients.

Click Here

Central Illinois Volunteer Coordinator Amy O’Dea hosted an event on March 21 at the Bloomington office. Volunteers celebrated with a St. Patrick’s Day theme, including corned beef and cabbage.

“Friends at the end” - A message from our volunteers about how working with hospice has changed their life. Click here to watch the video.

Summer’s Almost here!

Strawberry Surprise

Help your residents enjoy the season with these events to take advantage of warm weather and longer days.

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Host a Beach Day. Whether you put a wading pool in your parking lot for residents to dip their feet into, or you hang palm tree decorations indoors, everyone can enjoy mocktails like the Strawberry Surprise and sway to the music of steel drums.

Have an ice cream social. Not only will it strike up memories of youth for your residents, it’s also the perfect way to cool off on a summer’s day. Consider inviting families, and letting grandchildren help their grandparents build the perfect sundae.

Lead a parade. Memorial Day, Independence Day and other holidays are all common for community parades! Help residents decorate their doors or wheelchairs, and play patriotic music as you move down the hall.

Grill out. A local butcher shop or grocery store might be willing to donate some meat and veggies for your backyard barbeque. Have residents submit their best marinade recipes, and share the yummy results!

Ingredients: Lemonade Fresh strawberries (or strawberry fruit drink) Crushed ice Recipe: Add lemonade, strawberries, and ice cubes to blender.

Blend until slushy. Add more ice if needed.

Garnish: Place a strawberry slice on the rim of the glass, or add a paper umbrella for more fun!

We’d love to help our facility partners celebrate summer with a fun event.

Let your Hospice and Palliative Liaison know if you have something in the works that we can support!

Read all about it!

Passages Hospice in the media

Thanking Long Term Care Administrators

Taylorville Daily News Decatur Herald-Review Macoupin County Enquirer-Democrat Paxton Record Randolph County Herald Tribune Sauk Valley News Highland News Leader

Hospice: better care, better costs DAILY REGISTER

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Register Star EXTRARockford A! Southern Illinoisan EXTRThe

National Healthcare Decisions Day Rock River Times Sterling Gazette

DAILY REGISTER

EXTRA! EXTRA!

Arctic Animal, Warm Hearts Jacksonville Journal Courier

Keeping someone with dementia safe at home Rock River Times

Celebrating Patient Safety Month Manteno News

PARO: the exhibit Siliconvalley.com

Finding comfort in common things Macoupin County Enquirer~Democrat

Click on the blue links to read full story!

Recognizing our caregivers May 6-12 is National Nurses Week, and June 13-20 is National Nursing Assistants Week! We celebrate our dedicated team of more than 80 nurses and almost 100 Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) who span the states of Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Wisconsin! Nationally, about 3 million nurses and 1.5 million CNAs across the country provide quality care and comfort to patients in all walks of life. From doctors’ offices to emergency rooms and beyond, nurses and CNAs help navigate the sometimes confusing world of medical care.

Do you know your Nursing?

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Nursing is the largest health care occupation, with 2.6 million registered nurses. Nursing is also one of the fastest growing occupations in the U.S.

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The New England Hospital for Women and Children, established in 1862, was the first nursing school in the country.

Only three out of five nurses work in hospitals. Nurses also work in schools, correctional facilities, private companies, home health, nursing homes, government agencies, social assistance agencies, and research labs.

In the U.S. military, approximately one-third of all nurses are male.

The most visits to emergency rooms occur during the warmer months of the year.

Florence Nightingale, the most famous nurse in modern history, was only a nurse for three years.

Nursing facts courtesy of the Boston Globe.

Walking with you: a dialogue with a hospice nurse Click here

Learn more about the role of a nurse on the hospice team with RN Gina Thies in this short video. Gina explains how she helps our patients and families, and shares why she became a hospice nurse.

Click here to view the video.

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May - June 2013 The Journey

CNAs - a special kind of care Certified Nursing Assistants, or CNAs, provide some of the most important day-to-day care for our patients. In fact, CNAs spend the most time with the patient and family of the entire hospice team. Along with providing a smile, a supportive word and a hand to hold, CNAs also:

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Assist with Activities of Daily Living like getting dressed, eating and bathing Help patients enjoy hobbies and activities like reading or playing a game Watch for changes in the patient’s condition and communicate with the nurse

Act as a support for families and help explain the role of a hospice CNA Share any concerns, questions or needs with the rest of the interdisciplinary group

Caregiver Corner CNA Vernita Williams was nominated for a Red Cross Hero award, and is on the Honor Roll for the National Career Nursing Assistants organization!

Vernita risked her own life to save residents at a nursing home from a fire. She rallied the nursing home’s staff to call the fire department, ensured her own patients were safe, then rescued another patient who was stranded, bed-bound, in his room. Because of Vernita’s quick thinking, and a team approach from the nursing home staff no one was seriously injured in the fire.

Thank you,Vernita!

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Second Annual

Healthcare Heroes Event www.passageshospice.com/hero In celebration of National Nurses Week, National Nursing Home Week and National Certified Nursing Assistants Week, we present our second annual Healthcare Heroes event!

Our dedicated staff is always on the go! They care for family, friends and loved ones in homes, nursing facilities and communities all over. If you appreciate the care they give, nominate them as a Passages Hospice Healthcare Hero!

Any Passages Hospice staff member is eligible, since every job is an important part of our care!

Nominate your Healthcare Hero today! It only takes a moment.

Submit as many nominations as you’d like! The two team members who receive the most nominations will be recognized as our Healthcare Heroes. Nominations accepted through June 10th, 2013.

T I F F A N Y B O Y D

2 1 0 2 m o r f s e o r e H e r a c h t l a e H

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NAs Tiffany Boyd and Jill Quiroz were the winners of our first annual Healthcare Heroes event, held last summer.

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When Tiffany Boyd’s mother was diagnosed with cancer, she and her sister took it upon themselves to care for her. Tiffany became a Certified Nursing Assistant, helping her mother until the end of her life. A few years later, her sister also became a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Losing her mother gave Tiffany a deeper understanding of what families face at the end of a loved one’s life. She considers herself not only empathetic but passionate about helping other families on the journey she experienced.

Q U I R O Z

Jill Quiroz decided to be a CNA after she was in an accident and required a lot of care herself. Although it was hard to get used to, Jill realized that she needed the help - and that her nurses genuinely wanted to help her. Now, with four children at home, Jill explains that she helps take care of sick people.

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“I hope they learn that it’s okay to need help,” Jill says.

“And that if someone else needs help, you should help them.”

Arctic Animal, Warm Hearts

PARO therapeutic robot

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temperature and position.

And it’s on the h e n dementia has stolen control over cutting edge of dementia therapies across the world. someone’s body or voice, anxiety, PARO helps treat dementia by providing all the depression and agitation can take hold. benefits of live animal-assisted therapy, but Caregivers are left struggling to find something without any of the mess or risk. It’s even certhat will help the person connect with the world tified by the FDA as a biofeedback medical around them. For some, it’s music. device, because it responds to touch For others, it’s pets - whether they’re “With dementia, you’re and sound. PARO is just part of our alive or not.

Passages Through Time program, never quite sure what they’ll which provides special care for The PARO therapeutic robot is one of connect with,” says Alice patients with dementia. Passages those not-quite-live pets. PARO looks, Through Time gives our staff special Amro, a Certified Robot training in working with dementia feels and sounds like a baby seal. It will coo when you pet it and cry when and uses Therapist with Passages diagnoses, you squeeze it too hard. It knows its creative techniques to help Palliative Care. “ name, and the sound of your voice. It engage these special patients. can easily be mistaken for a real animal, and that’s the point.

“I’m excited to introduce it to my patients,” says Shelly Roy, a Passages social worker. “Anything I It’s soft and cuddly on the outside, but its insides can do to bring that extra comfort and relief to hold some serious technology. PARO has more someone is always a positive thing.” than 30 sensors that measure sound, light, touch,

Visit www.PassagesHospice.com for more information

PARO: the exhibit We were very proud to help the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago with a special exhibit for National Robotics Week (April 6-14).

PARO was on display in a hands-on exhibit where families and scholars could test all its features. The Museum hopes to put PARO on permanent display in 2014, as part of their Robot Revolution exhibit!

Go behind the scenes at the National Robotics Week kick-off breakfast, where our staff introduced PARO to museum guests and robotic experts from across the world!

1. Alice Amro and Natalie Benda introduce PARO to attendees at the Robotics Week breakfast. Click here to watch full video.

2. Certified Robot Therapists Natalie Benda and Alice Amro show PARO to Museum President David Mosena.

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3. We worked closely with the Museum to provide materials for their exhibit, including a diagram of PARO’s sensors and photos from our visits to nursing homes!

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5-Star Facilities

Nursing Homes awarded 5-star ratings

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ongratulations to our 39 nursing home partners who have received a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services! The five-star rating is based on health inspections, staffing and quality measures. Nursing homes receive a rating in both the individual areas and for overall quality, on a scale from one to five stars. Just one in five nursing homes are awarded the top distinction of five stars.

We presented the following homes and skilled nursing units with a certificate of recognition for their achievement!

Advocate South Suburban Hospital - SNF unit Alton Memorial Hospital - SNF unit Amboy Nursing Acquisition Beacon Hill of Aurora Burgess Square Calhoun Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Covenant Health Care Elmhurst Extended Care Emeritus at Prospect Heights Fairmont Care Center Farmington Country Manor Friendship Home Glen Oaks Nursing and Rehab Glenview Terrace Heartland of Canton Heritage Health of Elgin Heritage Health of Gillespie Heritage Health of Staunton Heritage Square of Dixon Hillcrest Home of Geneseo Imperial Grove Pavilion of Chicago Lakefront Nursing of Chicago Litchfield Care Center Manor Court of Freeport McDonough County District Hospital - SNF unit Moorings Health Center Ottawa Pavilion Peterson Park Health of Denter Proctor Community Hospital - SNF unit Rosewood Care Center of Alton Rosewood Care Center of East Peoria Rosewood Care Center of Edwardsville Rosewood Care Center of Elgin Rosewood Care Center of Moline Rosewood Care Center of St. Charles Smith Crossing of Orland Park Swedish Covenant Hospital - SNF unit West Suburban Medical Center - SNF unit Wood Glen Nursing and Rehabilitation

Congratulations!

“A five-star rating shows a constant dedication to quality of care and resident life,” says Michael Gillman, Passages Hospice Administrator. “It’s a privilege to work with the staff of these facilities to provide hospice services for their residents.”

Looking back at....

National Nursing Home Week 2012

Picture 1: Christy Cooper, Media Relations Specialist, helps a professional kite artist with a demonstration at Watseka Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Picture 2: Staff at Franklin Grove Living and Rehabilitation Center celebrate “Beach Day� with a sand sculpture and mocktails!

Picture 3: Physician Liaison Mary Rossio enjoys a popsicle while enjoying the warm weather at Watseka Nursing and Rehabilitation.

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Check our next issue for photos from Nursing Home Week 2013!

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Dreams are Ageless As part of our holistic care philosophy, we are proud to work with Hospice Dreams, an adult wish-granting organization, to fulfill Dreams for hospice patients! Living a Dream helps our patients experience all the joy that life has to offer, and helps families make memories that will last forever.

Marine Hymn

Josh Turner

Robert “BT” Geggie is a musician at heart and a Marine by training. His Dream was to hear the Marine Hymn played by a live military band. The U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America at Scott Air Force Base honored BT with a private concert that included his patriotic favorites and the Marine Hymn. Afterward, they presented him with CDs of their music and a marching band hat, then listened as he told his life story. Read about BT’s Dream in the Belleville News-Democrat by clicking here. Read about BT’s Dream in the Belleville News-Democrat by clicking here.

Luke Bryan Country music, on a record, the radio, or on TV, has always gotten Mary Wall’s toes tapping. The 78-year-old likes them all, but a special favorite is Luke Bryan. Mary had the evening of a lifetime as a special guest at Bryan’s concert in Bloomington. As an added surprise, Mary was escorted past the crowds for an exclusive meet-and-greet session with the singer, who gave her many hugs and took pictures with her.

Kenneth McNeil, 75, knows just about every country artist of the past seven decades. But Kennth didn’t want to just listen to music on the radio anymore. He wanted to visit the iconic Grand Ole Opry and see Josh Turner in concert.

Turner welcomed McNeil and his family back stage, where the two swapped stories of their favorite country tunes.

hospice

www.hospicedreams.org Passages Hospice’s preferred not-for-profit organization is Hospice Dreams!

Free Dreamin’!

Passages Hospice is proud to work with the nonprofit organization Hospice Dreams.

Did you know you can support Hospice Dreams for free? Here’s how: 1. Download the GoodSearch toolbar. Every time you use the toolbar to search, Hospice Dreams earns a penny. Every little bit adds up!

2. Use GoodShop through the toolbar. You get discounts on your online shopping, and Hospice Dreams gets a donation from the store!

3. Register for GoodDining. Just register and link your credit card to your account. Every time you eat at one of the participating restaurants, a portion of your automatically donated to Hospice Dreams.

4. Play Goodgames online. You can earn a penny for Hospice Dreams when you play three times.

Help Hospice Dreams make money with no additional cost to you! The toolbar is certified safe for your computer.

goodgames

The Passages Hospice and Hospice Dreams online stores are hosted by CafePress, and let you you buy customized clothing, accessories and more, all with customized logos! This is a great way for clinical staff to update their scrubs, and for administrative staff to get a perfect polo for casual Friday!

Visit the online stores at http://www.cafepress.com/passageshospice05 or http://www.cafepress.com/hospicedreams

Better costs, better care

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recent study at Mt. Sinai Hospital confirmed what palliative and hospice care providers across the country have known for years - that hospice care improves both quality of life and medical costs at the end of life. The study found that people enrolled in a hospice program were less likely to be repeatedly admitted to the hospital and/or have in-hospital death, which can save more than $2,300 for each Medicare recipient that receives hospice care - on top of helping the person avoid the stress and risk of a hospital visit.

Hospice care is at risk for funding cuts in 2013 as lawmakers try to reduce Medicare spending, but this important study shows that it actually saves money by eliminating risky and unneeded procedures at the end of life. The study is the second one that finds savings for both cancer and non-cancer patients. In fact, the savings grow the longer the person is on hospice care.

In addition, 98% of families who have received hospice care would recommend it to someone else.

As sequestration and other budget issues remain a concern, the hospice community must work together to continue providing the best care possible to deserving patients at the end of life.

"We would love it if we were finding patients being served for a length of time that gave them the opportunity to close their business and find relief," said Don Schumacher, President of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

Schumacher explained more about the study in an interview on RadioMD. Click here to listen to the full version!

On National Healthcare Decisions Day (April 16th), we helped communities across the state learn more about advance directives! We held events in Chicago, Sterling, Bloomington and Alton where we distributed information and helped residents complete their documents. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn even sent us a letter thanking us for our efforts!

Your life. Your choice. Your Passage.

We are dedicated to enhancing quality of life by promoting superior end of life care, easing the suffering, and providing continued compassion for the sick and dying in a way that ensures dignity and respect.

We are dedicated to promoting realistic outcomes.

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 being receptive to each patient and family’s social, emotional, intellectual, safety and physical needs.

We are dedicated to a level of care that encourages the safe and cost-effective delivery of hospice care.

We are 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.

Passages Hospice

888-741-8985 Call us to be connected with someone in your area.

www.passageshospice.com

info@passageshospice.com