Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Saint Patrick’s Day, is feast day (March 17) of St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped at 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped, but returned about 432 to convert the Irish to Christianity. By the time of his death on March 17, 461, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools. Many legends grew up around him—for example, that he drove the snakes out of Ireland and used the shamrock to explain the Trinity. Ireland came to celebrate his day with religious services and feasts.
It was emigrants, particularly to the United States, who transformed St. Patrick’s Day into a largely secular holiday of revelry and celebration of things Irish. Cities with large numbers of Irish immigrants, who often wielded political power, staged the most extensive celebrations, which included elaborate parades. Boston held its first St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1737, followed by New York City in 1762. Since 1962, Chicago has colored its river green to mark the holiday. Irish and non-Irish alike commonly participate in the “wearing of the green”—sporting an item of green clothing or a shamrock, the Irish national plant, in the lapel. Corned beef and cabbage are associated with the holiday, and even beer is sometimes dyed green to celebrate the day. Although some of these practices eventually were adopted by the Irish themselves, they did so largely for the benefit of tourists.
Source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Saint-Patricks-Day
Spring is in the Air!
Our desert flowers are in full bloom, and the lake glistens like a sea of diamonds. Our sunsets are spectacular works of art, and the springtime weather rarely disappoints! We have so much to be thankful for in this beauty which surrounds us. Yet, it may be easy to lose sight of the bless-ings in our lives when faced with a myriad of seemingly endless restrictions. We are constantly being reminded of where we can’t travel, or who we can’t visit... “Don’t do” this, or “be sure to wear” that!
COVID, COVID, COVID!! Ugh!This virus may strike some of us physically; but it has no power over us mentally.
We needn’t be blinded to the good in our lives and to the opportunities we still have to support each other. Staying connected, no matter how we do it, may really make the difference to someone who’s struggling with isolation. A little encouragement goes a long way.And, as they say, “this too shall pass!”
Now, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day and in line with counting our blessings, I leave you with this traditional Irish blessing:
May love and laughter light your days and warm your heart and home.May good and faithful friends be yours wherever you may roam. May peace and plenty bless your worldwith joy that long endures.May all life’s passing seasonsbring the best to you and yours.
Hi from Joni
STAY IN TOUCH: Volunteer Services office, 928-453-2111 • www.HospiceHavasu.org • Email Joni: [email protected]
If there is a topic that you would like to see addressed by Hospice of Havasu, please contact the Volunteer Services department. Please remember that ALL volunteers are required each year to complete two hours of Palliative Care Training, one HIPAA Session and one Emergency Preparedness Training.
HOSPICE OF HAVASU VOLUNTEERScene
- Joni
Ma
rch
20
21
The History of Saint Patrick’s Day
YEARS OF
Service
STAY IN TOUCH: Volunteer Services office, 928-453-2111 • www.HospiceHavasu.orgEmail Joni: [email protected]
March
BirthdaysIrene Schultz 5 Patrice Holloway 7Teresa Davis 9 Jill Ask 11 Tom Spindler 16 Sharon Howard 18 Carleine Blanchard 27 Jack Garnett 28
Faye Story 25Renee Good 17Kathy Meehan 15Vera Youngling 15Raymond Henderson 13Sharon Henderson 13J. Karen Smith 13Lucille Gunther 12Barbara Nimesgern 12Dan Maloy 10Rose Kopecky 8Butch Foster 7Lynda Lindsay 7Patrice Holloway 5Dore Engstrom 5Cathy Womeldorf 4
March is National Social Work Month
During National Social Work Month, we honor the social workers championing these duties for the people they serve.
When asked to describe their role, many social work-ers will note the range of “hats” they wear to best serve patients and families. From identifying emotional and spiritual needs to supporting families as they navigate the Medicare system, the complexity of end-of-life care requires the skills of an expert educator, advocate, media-tor and more.
Evaluator Hospice social workers are essential in assessing and evaluating a patient’s circumstances from a problem-solv-ing perspective. They determine needs, goals, and sup-port systems in the ever-changing landscape of a terminal illness.If the patient is living alone, they evaluate who might move in when extra support is required, if home care might be involved, assisted living, or nursing care.
EducatorSocial workers play a key role in identifying and teaching the skills that may improve peoples’ circumstances, from budgeting to effective communication. Social workers must have knowledge of resources available, where they
are located and eligibility requirements.
AdvocateIn hospice care, social workers advocate for patients as they articulate their final needs, desires, and fears. They work hard to remember and remind others that patients are the best experts on themselves, despite medical professionals’ vast medical knowledge and experience. At times, social workers advocate for patients’ final wishes when they are unable to speak for themselves due to their illness or other circumstances.Often when people admit a loved one to hospice, they can feel like they’ve lost control. It can be frustrating for families to navigate through the Medicare system. Many times, so-cial workers connect families with the resources they need to help their loved one themselves.
Facilitator/MediatorSocial workers also take on role of facilitator and mediator. They may address conflict between the patient and family, or between the family members. While the goal of hospice social workers is not to “fix” families with histories of con-flict, they must find a way to work with all members of the family to continue to promote the best goals of the patient within a safe environment.
Validator Most importantly, social workers teach people to accept their emotions without guilt by normalizing their specific feelings about the situation and their loved one. Social workers provide support at the bedside, particularly during the dying process.
Copyright © 2015 Crossroads Hospice. All rights reserved.
David Hawksley 4Marilyn Webster 2Carla Carroll 1Jackie Kock 1
