Reflections - Summer 2020

SUMMER 2020

Coming together during a trying time

Masonic Village Hospice

Forever High School Sweethearts Max with one of his paintings (above) and on a fishing trip (right).

ANYONE WHO KNEW MAX HOFFMAN remembers he was always up to something. Max was a busy man with more than a few hobbies throughout his life, usually revolving around family and helping others.

Iris, Max’s wife, will always remember how their love story began.

“We went to the same high school,” Iris recalls. “I was attracted to Max because of his fun, outgoing personality and his caring and giving character.

He was also very striking with his wavy hair.”

The two quickly became classic high school sweethearts.

After they graduated from Lititz High School in 1955, Max went into the Navy, and Iris studied education. They got married after she graduated, and they were together for 59 years before Max passed away in March 2018.

Max had been diagnosed with vascular dementia, which was accelerated by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). As Max’s dementia progressed, Iris could no longer care for him at home, even with the support she was receiving from her family.

“Entering him into memory care was one of the most difficult decisions of my life,” she said.

After Max experienced several hospitalizations, Iris realized they would both benefit from hospice care.

“I wanted to have a consistent person who he would

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recognize, because of his dementia,” Iris said.

Although their lives had changed since Max’s diagnosis, and their situation wasn’t ideal, Iris found great help through hospice care. Staff helped them through the decline in Max’s health, and Iris found solace in hospice’s recommended caregiver support groups.

Iris remembers hospice being there every step of the way. She also remembers special moments Hospice staff helped create.

“The nurses’ aides were very caring and attentive,” Iris said. “One of them was able to connect with Max through their shared love of music. They both loved classic rock like Bob Dylan, Neil Young and the Grateful Dead. They were also both Steelers fans.

“He enjoyed oil painting as a hobby, so we put some of his paintings in his room to make it feel more like home. He liked to paint scenery - outdoor scenery with old barns.”

Hospice staff even helped create a special day for Iris and Max to celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary.

“They got us a meal from our favorite restaurant for our wedding anniversary,” Iris said. “They got balloons, and someone even baked a cake, and we

Iris and Max during their 59th wedding anniversary celebration created by Hospice.

ate in the private dining room.”

Orioles and the Baltimore Colts.

The food, purchased by Hospice for their anniversary, was from the same Italian restaurant that Max and Iris would visit each year to celebrate their anniversary. Hospice helped them celebrate this tradition one last time.

Max was an avid volunteer with Meals on Wheels and often ran races for charity events, a passion he took up in his 30s.

Throughout their marriage, Max and Iris traveled quite often on fishing and beach trips to Canada and Virginia. Up north, they would rent out a cabin and take their three kids along for the trip.

Through Hospice’s veteran recognition program, Max was honored and presented with a patriotic handmade throw blanket and a certificate for his service by a Hospice staff member.

“Max loved to fish, so I learned to fish over the years, as well. We would also go down to vacation in Virginia and catch flounder,” she said.

Looking back, Iris believes she made the right decision about involving hospice care. “I think when we realized that he wasn’t going to get better, it was the right time,” she said. “They fulfilled all of his needs.”

In retirement, they traveled to Florida for two weeks each spring and would go to spring training baseball games.

Fortunately, Hospice extended its support system to Iris, as she worked through the loss of her husband.

They were both lifelong fans of baseball and football, traveling to Maryland to watch their favorite sports teams, the Baltimore

“After he passed, I received great support for grieving,” she recalls.

“Heidi [Young, bereavement coordinator] came two or three times

to my home, and I got letters every month. They realize that each grieving process is different and allow each person to process it in their own way.”

Reflecting on her journey through hospice, Iris has one piece of advice for those who may be considering hospice care for a family member.

“Don’t wait too long,” she says.

“They’re available as soon as you feel they’re needed.”

You can create a special moment (such as the Hoffman’s anniversary dinner) for a hospice patient and their family to enjoy! Complete and return the enclosed envelope with your gift to make a difference.

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Hospice Care in the Midst of a Pandemic “I don’t know what else I’d want to be doing but helping people during a time like this.”

Heidi Young, bereavement coordinator, and Lori Henry, certified nursing assistant

HUGS, HAND-HOLDING AND TOGETHERNESS are all key elements in guiding patients and families through their hospice journey.

For hospice caregivers across the country, COVID-19 replaced these crucial elements with masks, reduced physical contact and limited visits from family and friends.

meet the physical and emotional needs of patients and their families.

to allow our tears to be seen and to express empathy and shared grief.”

“For many of my patients, this has been particularly hard,” certified nursing assistant Lori Henry said, “so I take extra time to make every one of my visits and interactions even more meaningful.”

In addition to emotional distance and detachment, those with advanced dementia can become fearful of care providers wearing masks, and patients with hearing loss can no longer rely on reading lips.

“The virus has imposed, rightly and understandably, more barriers between ourselves and our patients that we have to strive to overcome,” Robert “Bob” Heim, hospice registered nurse, said. “Patients and families can’t see our reassuring smiles behind our masks, and that can be frightening.”

Lori and many other hospice caregivers have been incorporating family phone calls and video chats into their regular visits.

“We have to practice the art of smiling with our eyes and body language,” Bob said.

The Masonic Village Hospice team has come together and gotten creative during a trying time to continue to 4

For patients not receiving care at home, they can easily feel isolated.

“There is a sense of emotional distance and detachment,” Bob said. “It can be very hard to withhold a hug from the patient, or from family members during a loved one’s passing. We have

In order to protect patients and limit their exposure, hospice’s support services – including social workers, chaplains and bereavement staff – have been conducting visits via telehealth, phone calls and video chats.

“Nurses, nursing assistants and

Hospice staff continue to rise to the occasion.

“During this time, I have seen a real willingness to shift responsibilities teammates moving into unfamiliar roles to see that all our patients’ and families’ needs continue to be met,” Bob said.

“I don’t know what else I’d want to be doing,” Lori said, “but helping people during a time like this.”

Challenges Faced by Grieving Families Registered nurse Robert “Bob” Heim (previously photographed)

other caregivers have taken the time to help us coordinate telehealth visits,” social worker Jasmine Rakszawski said. “Our essential teammates are going above and beyond to care for patients physically, emotionally and spiritually.”

For those caring and advocating for patients and their families from a distance, the lack of inperson interaction has been a learning experience.

“We have team meetings over the phone to check in and support each other,” Jasmine said. “It’s been an uncertain time for all of us personally and professionally, so having the extra support, listening ears

and regular check-ins have been meaningful to me.”

Caregivers, like Lori and Bob, have added new rituals in their home life, too.

“After work, I get out of my work clothes immediately and take a shower,” Bob said. “I have self-imposed some distancing at home.

The last several months, I’ve been sleeping on the couch to protect both my family and my patients.”

“I use oodles and oodles of sanitizer,” Lori says. “I use my sanitizing spray on shoes, my bag – anything that I’m carrying with me to avoid exposing others.”

Regardless of the added stresses and precautions,

Since the start of COVID-19, Heidi Young, bereavement coordinator, has gone from embracing someone after the loss of a loved one to being just a voice on the other end of the phone.

“For many, grief is already a difficult journey to navigate,” Heidi said. “It becomes even more difficult when someone must grieve alone in their home in the middle of a pandemic.”

During the earliest stages of grief, a person should be embracing their friends, family and community to form a support system.

With the new limitations COVID-19 has placed on social interactions, Heidi encourages those who are grieving to reach out to Hospice for a phone call.

“Everything that I knew about helping people through grief went out the window,” Heidi said.

“I’ve had to develop a new way of thinking and supporting families.”

Heidi encourages grieving families to stay connected with family and counselors through phone calls, video chats and online platforms.

Setting a routine and staying busy with outdoor activities or favorite hobbies can also keep grief at bay. Journaling is also a good option.

“Our emotions and grief are raw right now,” Heidi said. “Capture and release those feelings by writing them down.”

Families whose loved ones pass away during the COVID-19 pandemic face unprecedented restrictions and challenges, including not being able to honor and celebrate a loved one by having a funeral with family.

“This has caused the normal healing process to be disrupted,” Heidi said.

“In a world where we’re in limbo and can’t be together, try to discover how you can best cope and grieve.

Know you’re not alone, and take one day at a time until we are all together again.”

Thanks to generous individuals like you, Hospice staff have access to the required personal protective equipment they need – like masks and gloves - to ensure their own safety and the safety of their patients. Financial contributions have also allowed hospice to take advantage of technological resources – like telehealth and video chatting – to keep in contact and continue to be a resource for patients and their families, as well as grieving families. Thank you!

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Ways to Give

in Memory of Your Loved One

For many, a gift in memory of a spouse, parent, family member or close friend provides an opportunity to remember them in a meaningful way. There are several options in which you can make a gift to Masonic Village Hospice in honor of someone special.

Complete and return the enclosed envelope to make your gift or for more information.

You may also call 1-800-599-6454 or email giving@masonicvillages.org.

1.

Give a cash gift in memory of your loved one, or in honor of a hospice staff member. Your cash gift will be put to immediate use in caring for patients and their families. You may also give online at MasonicVillages.org/Donate-Now.

2.

Become a monthly donor. Authorize a specified amount of money to be electronically transferred directly from your checking account or credit card to Masonic Village Hospice monthly. This is the easiest form of giving and a way to continue giving in memory of your loved one. Plus, you will receive a year-end statement of monthly giving for easy tax preparation.

(You can cancel your authorization at any time.) You may also register as a monthly donor online at MasonicVillages.org/Donate-Now. 6

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Give a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA. If you don’t need all or part of your required minimum distribution from your IRA, consider giving it to Masonic Village Hospice in memory of your loved one.

4.

Include Masonic Village Hospice in your estate plans. Our philanthropy team is here to help as you plan for what matters most to you.

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Purchase items from our wish list.

Items on this wish list help improve our patients’ quality of life and support our families on their hospice journey.

Item

Cost

Tickets to a baseball game

$13

Trips to a local diner

$20

Trips to a local restaurant

$50

Gift cards for grocery deliveries

$75

Transportation costs

$100

Visits to a local spa

$100

Fill the comfort cart for families staying with a dying loved one

$100

Week at the shore for a patient and family

$1,500

Thank You Memorials

Gifts received Feb. 1 - April 30

MEMORIAL

Doris A. Adams Jean Ashby Fay E. Bechtel Janet F. Bertelman

Virginia L. Boyd

Shirley Ann Brady Kitty Byk Marjorie L. Callaway Delores L. Costanza

DONOR

Larry Gibble Barbara Goux Palmer Arnold and JoAnn McGurk Dorothy Long Rosemary Roth Audrey Skergen Dolores Gibson Raymond Graham Charles and Patsy Luik Walter and Esther Root Craig Brady Pat Royer Rochelle Favale Chambers Hill Fire Company Lisa J. Dible Robert and Anna Geyer Wednesday Morning Breakfast Club Friends

Mary Alice Neumyer Earl A. Deibert Betty Deibert Horace Fisher Betty Deibert Paul T. Gerhart Marilyn Heffentrager

Pat and Lou Manzi Mary K. Gutshall Bruce and Joan Howarth Janet E. Herr Heidi Heisey Marian M. Hinkle Scott and Pat Davidson

Colleagues of Debbie Beozzo

Florence Horsfield

Rosemary Hulsman

Matt and Chris Stromberg Deborah A. Hower Walter and Mary Ann Price Alvin L. Leisey, Jr. Bryan and Eileen Hill

Edward and Rowena Morelock Gene O. Light Alfred W. Kaplin

Richard Robinson Dorothy M. Lower Bruce and Joan Howarth Richard C. Mann Audrey Mann Edward & Betty Masterstefone Kim and Laura Masterstefone Linda H. Oneto George Pence and Barbara Zitrick Anita Louise Pence Michael Pence Joseph F. Polak Nicole and Bernie Beck

Joel Boyd

Cliff and Nan Denlinger Arwyn “Wyn” Potter Coworkers of Jaclyn Potter

Greg, Diana, Juliet, Nathan Diehl and Families

Walter and Margo Fitler

Brenda Hanthorn

Patricia Harter

Richard Lipkowski

Gloria G. Pritsch Elizabeth U. Putt Joyce Reedy Paul A. Remaly Gale W. Robison

Robert K. Sloan John K. Stark

Karen L. Swope The Mases Helen Thompson Mary E. “Betty” Weidman Ruth M. Witmyer William J. Wright, II Barbara Yost

William Longenecker Tim and Sandy Roland Michelle Thomson Russell and Gail Twilley Keith Zimpfer John Pritsch Lloyd Putt Rose Reedy Gerald and Pat Kemmerer Adriana Lemaire Robert and Marjorie Murphy Clara Thompson Edna Sloan Joseph DiLazzaro Lancaster American Postal Workers Ronald Swope Mary and Keturah Mase Cressona Chapter No. 367, O.E.S. NewWin Consulting Group, LLC Joan Kulp William Mentz George Pence and Barbara Zitrick

Honors

Gifts received Feb. 1 - April 30

HONOR

DONOR

Kenneth Schnabel

Phyllis Masenheimer

Wish List Contributors Gifts received Dec. 1 - April 30

DONORS

Sherwood L. and Jean A. Kneebone Nancy Pfahler

View our NEW website by visiting MasonicVillageHospice.org to make a donation, learn more about our bereavement program, discover volunteer opportunities and more.

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MASONIC VILLAGE HOSPICE 98 Masonic Drive, Suite 101 • Elizabethtown, PA 17022 717-361-8449 • MasonicVillageHospice.org

Who We Are Since 2009, Masonic Village’s trained, compassionate hospice staff have cared for thousands of patients and their families, focusing on the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of patients so they may complete their lives joyfully. Our hospice staff promote comfort and self-determination, enabling patients to participate in making decisions about their care.

Based in Elizabethtown, Masonic Village Hospice is pleased to offer services to patients in the comfort of their homes throughout Lancaster, Dauphin, Lebanon and Eastern York counties.

Open for Everyone.

Masonic Village Hospice does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, ancestry, national origin, familial status, age, sex, limited English proficiency (LEP) or any other protected status in admission, treatment or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment.

Masonic Village Hospice cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo.

Masonic Village Hospice iss willich, die Gsetze (federal civil rights) vun die Owwerichkeet zu folliche un duht alle Leit behandle in der seem Weg. Es macht nix aus, vun wellem Schtamm ebber beikummt, aus wellem Land die Voreldre kumme sinn, was fer en Elt ebber hot, eb ebber en Mann iss odder en Fraa, verkrippelt iss odder net.