Newsletter of Angela Hospice Summer 2012

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Inside:

Sister, Sister! A family of caregivers

Angela Hospice home care hospice aides Michelle Henderson and Cherise Hull.

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Patients cared for by sisters Michelle Henderson and Cherise Hull often notice how much they look alike, sometimes asking if they are twins (they’re not). They also notice how well the two work together. “I know how she’ll bathe the patient, and she knows how I’ll bathe the patient,” Cherise said. But few patients get to enjoy watching the two dance together as they did recently for a patient in Flat Rock.

When Cherise went to cover the patient with a blanket, a centipede fell to the floor. Both Angela Hospice aides are terrified of bugs. “They have so many legs!” Michelle exclaimed. “We were hopping around the house.”

Both laughed when recounting the story.Aside from sharing a sense of humor, and a

synchronization at work, the sisters live a mile and a half away from each other, and spend a lot of time outside of work together, taking their children to the park or spending time with their parents.

Others they meet often express a wish that they were as close with their own sibling. “Everyone else wishes they could work with their sister and get along,” Cherise said.

This pair has done it for so long, it’s become habit. Michelle and Cherise worked together on the assembly line at Ford Motor Company years ago, long before they began working together at Angela Hospice. Michelle starting working at hospice first, two years before Cherise joined her. Michelle enjoyed her work, and told Cherise about it.

“My sister pulled me in,” Cherise said.“Both are very competent and caring,” said Terry

McGrail, home health aide coordinator. The sisters have an important job and they are both very good at it.

As Cherise explained, “I give compassion more

p It’s no surprise that Angela Hospice aides Cherise Hull and Michelle Henderson are sometimes mistaken for twins. Here they pose with supervisor Terry McGrail.

Andrew Schubert received a standing ovation this year at the annual Angela Hospice Golf Outing. The reason: he scored a hole-in-one!

“As soon as I hit the ball I knew it was a really good shot,” said Andrew, “and I knew it would at least be close to the pin.” Moments later, he saw the ball land and roll in.

The 18-year-old MSU student has been golfing for as long as he can remember, but this was his first hole-in-one.

“It was super exciting,” Andrew said. “And it was even cooler because both my dad and grandpa were there to see it. They were both jumping up and down, just as excited as I was.”

Schubert got his hole-in-one at Fox Hills’ Fox Classic course in Plymouth, on Woodlands hole five. It was a prize hole too, so he won an amusement park getaway for his accomplishment.

“We’re all so proud of our hole-in-one winner!” said Angela Hospice Events Coordinator Barb Iovan. “Everyone was thrilled to share in the celebration of his achievement!”

p Andrew Schubert (second from left) played on a foursome with (from left) teammate Mark DeRaud, his father Chuck Schubert, and grandfather Art Prochnow.

Young golfer impresses at Angela Hospice Outing

Garden of Memories blooms brightThis year for the first time, those who contributed $35 or more to Angela Hospice’s Garden of Memories fundraiser were able to have a flower planted in honor of their loved one. Geraniums in pink, red, coral and white now grace seven new flower beds around the Angela Hospice grounds, visible to Care Center patients and guests.

A sign listing the names of all those honored with a flower will be displayed in the Care Center lobby throughout the summer months.

u Pictured are employees John Russell, Rory Moning, and Ron Szalay, who helped to establish the gardens.

than just giving a good bath.” Cherise said she often feels like patients become friends or family. She will tell patients, “I want others to take care of my grandma like I am taking care of you.”

Her sister Michelle has now been with Angela Hospice for almost seven years – the longest she has stayed with any job before. “I like that you get to take the time with patients, and that we work alongside the nurses,” she said. “I also like working with the elderly.”

Michelle admitted that getting close to people who are dying can be challenging. “I used to find it hard. I had to learn to step away.”

Cherise said that she appreciates having fewer patients than she did when she worked for another hospice, so that she can take all the time she needs to care properly for those who need her, and she feels appreciated by the patients and by the staff at work. “I’m glad I am on the team.”

The two aides, who were trained through the American Red Cross program, don’t always work together. In fact, they usually work separately. Most patients are assigned with one aide, but on occasion, when a patient has mobility issues or special challenges, Terry has to assign two aides to go to the patient together. She doesn’t hesitate to send the sisters.

“It’s easy to pair them when needed because they do the work together so well,” Terry said. In addition, when one or the other cannot take care of a patient assigned to them, the other sibling will take over in a flash. “They support each other,” said Terry.

The pair still cares for the patient in Flat Rock.“But every time we go there we check for centipedes,”

Michelle laughed.

Sister, Sister! A family of caregivers

When Marianne Kelly chose care with Angela

Hospice, she was living with her son, Jerry, and her daughter-in-law, Joan. Jerry and Joan were taking care of Marianne in their home, and it was there that they met her hospice team, and experienced “the respectful, caring support” that Marianne received.

Nurse Stephanie Frania took care of Marianne, making sure she was comfortable and addressing any symptoms that arose. But Stephanie also offered a listening ear to Jerry and Joan, answering their questions, and helping them to know what to expect.

“We so wanted to be sure we were taking good care of Mom!” said Joan and Jerry. “Stephanie was always so patient, explaining things, giving us encouragement and reassurance.”

The Kelly’s also praised Marianne’s hospice aide, Neal Loving, who provided her personal care.

“Neal’s visits were like an oasis from worry,” the Kelly’s explained. “She was gentle, hummed and sang to Mom, and always left her pampered and pretty. I know that Mom always felt better after her visits.”

The Kelly’s opened their home to their Angela Hospice team, and with the team’s encouragement and assistance, were able to provide wonderful care for their mother. Having Marianne at home also made it easier for her fan club to visit: eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

“Home is where I’m Cared For”

For John Dallacqua, Angela Hospice came to him at Woodhaven Retirement Community. He was battling

Alzheimer’s disease, and his wife came to visit him every single day. There she got to know nurse Paul Rogers, John’s case manager from Angela Hospice.

Paul has worked for Angela Hospice’s home care team for 10 years, getting to know patients and families as he cares for their needs. The Dallacqua family called Paul “compassionate, gentle, caring, and sensitive.”

Paul was a comfort to John, and visited everyday during the last two weeks of John’s life.

“He showed true love and respect for my dad,” said daughter Jennifer Dallacqua. “I know my dad’s comfort and well-being were Paul’s main concerns.”

But Paul got to know John’s wife, children, and grandchildren as well.“He got a big dose of the Dallacqua family those last 10 days!” said Jennifer. “I have five brothers and

sisters, and all of us were there (along with some of my nieces and nephews) every day for that 10 days. He cared so well for my dad, but also for each of us. He was a tremendous comfort to my mom, offering her support, peace of mind, and a source of knowledge to answer any and all of her questions.”

Jennifer explained that as her family struggled with the loss of her father, Paul’s support and understanding in their grieving process helped to get them through – just as Paul’s clinical expertise helped John.

“I know that my dad’s life was made better by having the caregivers from Angela Hospice in it,” Jennifer said.

p Marianne Kelly with her children and their spouses.

p John Dallacqua and daughter Jennifer.

Linda Braun fondly remembers her dear cousin Lorraine Lambert. Just two years apart in age,

they were more like sisters than cousins – inseparable since they were children.

“When Lorraine realized the severity of her illness, she wanted to spend her last days no where else but at Angela Hospice,” said Linda.

Lorraine had remembered the care her father received years before as an Angela Hospice patient. When it came time for Linda to begin hospice care, she was confident in her choice. Her decision made things a bit easier on her family as well.

“We knew she was in good hands,” Linda explained. “Everyone from the doctors, nurse, aides, dietary aides, housekeeping, receptionist, etc., treated her as if she was their only patient and member of their own family. Each and every one of them helped us get through the challenge of each day; and at the end, they were there to give us the hugs we all needed.”

“My Home away from home”

p Lorraine Lambert, age 6; Linda Braun, age 4.

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The place you call home...three letters telling one story...

Hospice is traditionally provided to patients in the place they call home. That may be their own house or a loved one’s home – but it could also mean a residential health care facility, or even the Angela Hospice Care Center. Wherever “home” is, Angela Hospice will be there to help. These stories are taken from actual letters written to Angela Hospice, and are printed with permission from the authors.

“My home is With my family ”

Family and friends can come together to honor the legacy of a loved one by taking part in the 5th annual Walk of Remembrance – and forming a Walk of Remembrance Team. Over 700 people came out to last year’s Walk, including the 732’s team, formed in memory of MaryPat Nichols, by her sister Kathy Greco. “We had a wonderful time of reflection and remembrance, of both our loved one and the ‘angels’ that cared for her,” said Kathy. “We plan on making this an annual experience!” Save the date and plan to join one of our Team Kick-offs, on Wednesday, August 8, at 6-7 p.m., or Saturday, August 11, at 10-11 a.m. There is no obligation, but it’s a great opportunity to learn how you can support the mission of Angela Hospice. At the Kick-offs, individuals will learn about the basics of forming a team, as well as easy fundraising ideas for team members. Video clips from past events, door prizes, and snacks will also help to get the Kick-offs underway, and inspire participants for this year’s Walk, taking place Saturday, September 22, at 9 a.m. Teams will also have the opportunity to honor their loved one with a page in our 2012 Commemora-tive Booklet, available exclusively for Walk teams. Please RSVP for the Kick-off of your choice by calling Barb Iovan at (734) 953-6045.

p Sporting their custom 732’s hats are team members Gregg and Kathy Greco, Michele McGinnis, and Robert Nichols. Kick-offs for this year’s Walk of Remembrance teams will take place August 8 and 11.

Team up to honor a loved one

This past April marked two years residence in the new Angela Hospice Care Center. When the doors first opened, just 16 patients were admitted, but that number grew as additional staff were hired and trained. Now in 2012, Care Center Coordinator Karen Lemon says they are averaging 31 patients a day in the 32-bed facility.

“Our staff is now more settled in,” said Lemon, “and new employees are very enthusiastic and happy to be here.”

Lemon believes this positive energy rubs off on patients and families, who comment to her about the beautiful facility, and the upbeat staff.

“It seems most people who tour would love to have a patient here,” Lemon said, “Especially now as the gardens are blooming.”

Patient visitors increased immediately once the new building opened in 2010, and have continued to come at a greater rate, enjoying the comfortable family gathering areas – certainly a wonderful benefit for patients.Image: Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech

Just beyond the thresholdWe all have ideas about what

happens to us once we die. Whether by faith, tradition, family, culture, or by our own unique experiences, we develop beliefs that shape the way we think of death and the afterlife.

Those in the hospice field may perhaps have an interesting perspective, as they regularly connect with individuals on the threshold of that place.

It’s not an uncommon phenomenon: after weeks or months on hospice care, a patient who is transitioning toward the end begins to see, or even hear, someone the rest of us cannot see. They are talking to a loved one who died years before, or they are seeing their childhood pet in the room with them. Perhaps they become enraptured by the sight of a beautiful angel…

Some might claim this is likely the effect of a medication, causing a patient to see things that aren’t there, or putting them into a dream-like state. But others suggest that as this person nears the end of this life, someone has come to welcome them into the next.

Nurse Paula Schrock-Bending said that sometimes she can tell a person is seeing something just by their body language.

“I’ll ask them what they see,” said Paula. “One time a patient saw a young child in the corner of her room. I asked her ‘Is she smiling at you? Is she holding anything in her hands?’”

Often it is a deceased relative that

a patient sees, and they may carry on whole conversations.

“It seems to calm them when they talk to these people too,” said nurse Peggy DeVos. “Especially when they talk to their parents.”

One patient told hospice aide Erica Miloser, “You may not believe me, but my father comes to talk to me at night.” Another patient would speak to her deceased husband when she thought her caregivers were out of earshot.

Nurse Louise Paladino said just last week one of her patients saw her son outside her window. The boy had died when he was nine years old. The patient, who is in her eighties, told Louise, “I forgot what he looked like; it’s been so long.”

“We don’t know what goes on at that time when they are in that state,” Louise said. “I believe it is very spiritual, but that is just my opinion.”

Not every patient has this king of experience, but for those who do, it usually brings comfort. For Louise, these occurrences have come regularly enough that it has strengthened her faith. And Paula believes that one day her loved ones who have passed away will guide her into the next life.

“That’s why it’s so comforting to me,” Paula said, “because you’re never alone.”

Until we face that journey ourselves, we can only imagine what we will see just beyond.

p Karen Lemon in the Care Center with new hospice aide Apple Robinson and veteran staff nurse Diane Lauch.

Care Center update: 2 years

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Mission in Action: Care at any costPart of the core values of the

Felician Sisters is solidarity with the poor: ensuring the needs of the poor and vulnerable are met through advocacy and action. How does Angela Hospice practice this value? The very structure of our organization makes wise use of funds in order to help the greatest number of people – regardless of their financial status.

People often don’t realize that hospice home care is a bargain in the healthcare industry. It is top quality care, provided by a team of experts that comes to you in your own home, and meets a comprehen-sive range of needs. For most patients, it costs zero dollars.

Over 80-percent of hospice patients have Medicare as their payment source, and it generates no charge to the

Angela Hospice nurse Paul Rogers has been named among the nation’s top 50 home care and hospice nurses by the National Association for Home Care and Hospice. Representing the state of Michigan, Paul’s photo was included in the May issue of CARING magazine, and he has been invited to the NAHC Annual Meeting and Exposition in Orlando, Florida, this October, where he will be honored.

Of the 50 finalists, one nurse will be chosen Home Care and

Hospice Nurse of the Year, based on public balloting, and will have their travel and hotel expenses paid, as well as winning a new Apple iPad.

“We are so proud of Paul,” said Executive Director Mary Beth Moning. “Paul has been with Angela Hospice over 10 years now, and so many families have been blessed by his dedication and compassion. Winning this national recognition would mean the rest of the country would know what a wonderful nurse – and what a great person – Paul is too!”

Please visit www.nahc.org and vote for Paul Rogers as NAHC Nurse of the Year. Voting will remain open through July 9.

p Paul Rogers with patient Anna Villella.

Paul needs your vote!

14100 Newburgh RoadLivonia, Michigan 48154Toll Free (866) 464-7810

The Monarch is published by Angela Hospice to keep our friends and supporters informed of our latest news and events as we continue to provide quality care to people in need.

Sister Mary GiovanniPresident/CEO

Mary Beth MoningExecutive Director

Tom LesondakCFO

James Boal, MDMedical Director

Bob AlexanderBusiness Development Manager

Lisa NortonPublic Relations

Nancy MalekiContributing Writer

Board of DirectorsKenneth DabrowskiKimberly Riley FoutsMichael GeorgeSister Mary Giovanni - PresidentBarb HendricksonTom Lesondak - TreasurerSister Mary Francis LewandowskiMary Beth Moning - SecretaryEdmund Cardinal SzokaJudge Michael TalbotDavid Ward - Chair

Angela Hospice is a Catholic sponsored ministry in the Felician Franciscan tradition, dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate, and Christlike care to terminally ill adults and children in the communities we serve.

Associate Member

individual. Medicaid and most private insurances also cover home hospice with no cost to the patient. This spe-cialized care is cost-effective for both the patient and the healthcare system.

When a patient does not have insurance coverage, Angela Hospice steps in to provide care through our Good Samaritan Program, which offers hospice services free or at a discounted rate to those in need.

“It is important that each and every person Angela Hospice cares for is treated with kindness, compassion, and concern,” said Sister Giovanni, Angela Hospice president. “It doesn’t matter whether they are penniless or a billionaire….everyone deserves to know that they are precious, and to be treated with dignity.”