reflections SUMMER 2017
Masonic Village Hospice
Integrative Therapies Touch Patients’ Lives For many, the word “therapy” brings about images of lying on a couch while being asked, “How does that make you feel?” While this type of therapy can be helpful for many hospice patients, they often want or need something more. Integrative therapies fill that need and are specially designed to consider the whole person: medically, psychosocially and spiritually.
“Masonic Village is ahead of the curve in terms of the variety of integrative therapies we offer,” Kristin Thomas, hospice support services coordinator, said.
Along with aromatherapy, meditation, music therapy, pet visitation, spiritual care and support groups, Masonic Village Hospice offers several types of massage and energy work therapies to patients, specifically Healing Touch™, reflexology, Reiki™, and therapeutic massage. Out of these therapies, Healing Touch is the least known and the most unique. Healing Touch, an energy therapy, uses light touch techniques to help balance a patient’s energy system and encourage self-healing within the body, mind and spirit. Healing Touch can also reduce stress and improve the function of the immune system. “It brings patients a sense of peace and calming,” Kristin said, “which is so important.” The unique therapy is offered to Masonic Village Hospice patients thanks to generous volunteers and the financial contributions of donors, and several staff members have taken courses in Healing Touch. Tammy Nickel, a practitioner for Masonic Village, provides Healing
Touch sessions to patients. Her interest in “the interplay between physiology and well-being” brought her to the therapy in 2007. She loves its “extraordinary results” the most, and is always impressed to see changes in patients’ attitudes and overall quality of life. “Healing Touch is second nature to me now. It’s never boring. It’s a way of life,” Tammy says. Sally Dixon, a Masonic Village resident, enjoys Healing Touch sessions given by volunteers several times a month. She finds it helps her go to sleep faster and easier and reduces her pain. “When you’re 97, anything you can do does a lot of good. But there’s no point in doing it if you don’t believe in the spirit,” she says. For those interested in becoming a Healing Touch practitioner, classes will be offered by Tammy, Sept. 11 - 12 and Nov. 9 – 10. For more information, call 717-723-5898.
Talking About Your Health Care Wishes Now When a loved one comes faceto-face with a less than favorable medical prognosis, many families struggle with what to do next. Advance care planning can be the topic of a difficult family meeting, but an important one, nonetheless. The National Institute on Aging states more than one out of four Americans face questions about medical treatment near the end of life but are not capable of making those decisions. Through advance care planning, you make decisions about the care and treatments you would want to receive if you become unable to express decisions for yourself. Sometimes, when doctors believe a cure is no longer possible, decisions must be made about the use of emergency treatments to keep you alive. These treatments can include CPR, ventilator utilization, artificial nutrition, hydration and comfort care. “Talking about your choices regarding these medical decisions can be difficult, but there are benefits,” Maureen Dolk-Metcalfe, director of hospice services, said.
“It can take a huge burden off loved ones who could otherwise be left with making important decisions without you or your consent.” These preferences are often put into an advance directive, which is a legal document that goes into effect only if you are incapacitated. The two elements in an advance directive include a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care. Other documents could include organ and tissue donation forms. When your family is aware of your wishes, they can ensure they are communicating to your physician in order to be your advocate in a time of crisis. “Give a copy of your advance directive to your physician for your medical records and to your family members,” Maureen said, “and review your decisions from time to time.”
In April, Masonic Village Hospice held its first Advance Care Planning Seminar in conjunction with Masonic Village’s Home Health and Home Care service providers. “Addressing death will never be easy, but it is necessary,” Maureen said. “As time goes on, there will be more and more medical advances available that can prolong lives, but not everyone may want them.” Studies show patients who engage in advance care planning are less likely to pass away in the hospital and experience last resort and unnecessary surgeries. Earlier conversations about their goals and use of hospice services can better control symptoms and the psychological and spiritual well-being of a patient. Advance care planning is a service offered through Masonic Village Hospice, and staff are well prepared to help any family or individual accomplish their health care goals.
A Unique and Lasting Memorial
Emory Freet always said he’d prefer being out in nature thinking about God than be in church, thinking about nature. For Emory, nature was everything. From Duncannon, Pa., he spent much of his time fishing and canoeing in the Juniata and Susquehanna rivers, hiking, camping and visiting national parks with his wife, Kay. Another one of his passions was teaching science to junior high students. Following his love for the subject, Emory agreed to donate his body to science.
In honor of his life-long loves, with the help of Timothy Nickel, hospice chaplain, Kay held a small service in Emory’s memory with a group of family and friends aboard the Millersburg Ferry, the last operating ferry on the Susquehanna River. She will climb aboard the ferry one last time to spread her husband’s ashes when she receives them at the end of the summer. Masonic Village Hospice staff work diligently to create special and lasting moments for patients’ families, just like this one, each day.
Upcoming Events Bereavement Support
Bereavement Support Group meetings are offered at Masonic Village at Elizabethtown and Moravian Manor in Lititz, Pa. The groups are open to both residents and community members. For more information, call 717-367-1121, ext. 33576.
Baking with Love You may remember your mother baking cookies and cakes when you felt down. That warm fuzzy feeling you experience when you smell goodies baking in the oven is like no other. That’s why staff arranged a baking day for patients at Juniper Village assisted living community. From cookies to cakes and brownies, patients baked and shared them all!
Thanks to Our Generous Donors Memorials February 1 through April 30 MEMORIAL Arthur F. Benjamin Mary W. Blouch Jay G. Brossman Miriam (Mim) F. Butz Gaylon C. Cathcart Carol R. Compton Marie W. Diacont John H. Dimeler, Jr. James (Jim) T. Edwards Dennis C. Eshleman Nada R. Hassinger Maureen C. Heckman William M. Heintzelman Robert C. Hoffman Charles (Bud) W. Jamison Helen Kable Arthur (Art) D. Kauffman Lois P. Kiegel
DONOR Ed and Ann Conway Marlynn Orlando John and Anne Stevens Louis and Rose O’Brien Lucinda Hampton Jane Hazen Elwood Johnson Mary Thieringer Michael and Barbara Cathcart Lewis Compton Ralph and Elizabeth Davis Larry and Janet Fritz James and Shelly Bartolacci and Family Joe and Danielle Bidus Scott and Jamie Cielewich Lana Golden James and Christie Hart Joe and Jeanne Ryan Jeffrey and Christine Smith Richard and Maria Thulin Richard B. Wood FCI USA LLC Service Supply Corp. Nancy Collins Betty Harman Frederic and Susan Koch Robert and Shirley McCombs Mary Reeser Larry and Doris Ritter C. Hess Haagen Glenn and Edna Hackman Dorothy, Joyce, Shirley and Charles Miller Elaine Miller Rich and Donna Gobbo Bob and Ruth Nicholls Fox Pool Corporation Stanley and Florence Asbury Millie Jamison and Family Maureen Cornell Art Kauffman Family Dale and Denise Mummau Mildred Mummau and Family Diane Smith and Erma Mummau Kathy Hofsass
Robert H. Kitner Donna Lee Ralph E. Lentz Karl T. Lippek Barbara J. McMillan Betty W. McMurtrie Carol A. Meridionale Anita L. Pence William and Clair Piltz, Jr. Virginia B. Rainey Paul G. Rearick Annette F. Righter JoAnne M. Sadler Ruth H. Sherrard Robert K. Sloan Delores E. Smith Virignia S. Sprenkel Shirley M. Stief Lloyd R. Swarr Patricia J. Weaver Keith R. Williams
Randy Manning William and Carol Reed Bill and Nancy Schreffler Ralph and Elizabeth Davis Bryan and Eileen Hill Joyce L. Stephens John and Joyce Grix Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Barbara Zerr and Family Ruby Thornton Michael and Sarah Pence Family of William A. Piltz, Jr. Leslie Burlingame and Doris Bailey Karen Kaylor-Campbell Lassus Wherley and Associates PC Yvonne Duncan Loran Getz Juniper Village at Mount Joy Allen and Carol Keinard Len and Hope Metkowski Robert and Marilyn Forney R.S. Reidenbaugh Corp. Anna Jackson Robert Piller Alice Sloan and Family Edna Sloan Sandy DeLuca Paul and Donna Lebiedzinski John and Cindy Murphy Allan and Marty Smith Robert and Susan Sprenkel Debra Orner Wayne and Mary Schweigert Marjorie Keen Margaret Malloy and Family Marc and Cheri Quinlan John Weaver Mary Wells Chapter No. 452, OES Juanita Batdorf Mary Gildea and Chuck Weyland Janicemarie Long
Honors
February 1 through April 30 HONOREE Health Care Center Staff Hospice Staff
DONOR Lewis Compton Lewis Compton
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. Masonic Village ▪ One Masonic Drive ▪ Elizabethtown, PA 17022 717-367-1121, ext. 18449 ▪ MasonicVillageHospice.org ▪ MVhospice@masonicvillages.org
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.
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Reflections Summer 2017