W I N T E R 2 0 1 9

I N T H I S I S S U E

BEGIN THE CONVERSATION – THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCE CARE

DIRECTIVES 1&3

GOLF INVITATIONAL 2

—BUTTERFLY RELEASE 2

—SPRING SOIRÉE 3

HONORING A TRULY SPECIAL SUPPORTER 3

—LETTER FROM

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 4

APPRECIATION TO FRIENDS AND

SUPPORTERS 4 —IN

CELEBRATION 5

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES 5

BEREAVEMENT GROUPS 5

—EDUCATIONAL

SERIES 6

SAVE THE DATE 6

—NATIONAL

HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE MONTH 6

ADVANCE DIRECTIVES EXPRESS REQUESTS AND CHOICES

Advance directives spell out a person’s wishes about healthcare and financial matters in the event of a critical and life-threatening illness or accident. These directives can include a health-care proxy, a living will and/or the power of an attorney.

For doctors and family members, healthcare directives lay out the type of care one wants in the event that one becomes seriously ill and cannot communicate one’s wishes. Even healthy adults without known medical problems should consider drafting a healthcare directive, which will aid in the decision-making process regarding levels of care.

A living will addresses desired levels of care during a terminal illness – that is, when a person has less than six months to live. A healthcare proxy names a family member, friend or professional as the agent who can sign documents and make decisions if one becomes unconscious or unable to make independent medical decisions. If the condition is temporary, the agent will only be needed for a short period of time.

STARTING THE CONVERSATION IS ESSENTIAL

According to elder law attorney Michael J. Amoruso, Esq., discussions with loved ones regarding advance directives should not be placed on the back burner.

By Mary K. Spengler, M.S., CEO of Hospice of Westchester

It is rarely easy to start a discussion with a loved one about end-of-life care, yet there are many stories in the news about family and court battles over the wishes of patients who can no longer speak for themselves. This demonstrates the importance of beginning the conversation with loved ones early.

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w w w . H o s p i c e o f W e s t c h e s t e r . c o m

Begin the Conversation – The Importance of Advance Care Directives

HOW hosted its 17th-annual Golf Invitational on September 10 at Westchester Hills Golf Club in White Plains. More than 140 local business leaders and members of the community played the links to support the organization, making it the largest golf event yet. This year’s event was held in memory of Ossie T. Dahl and proceeds will support HOW’s commitment to providing compassionate end-of-life care.

Special thanks to our sponsors, which include Hildegarde D. Becher Foundation Inc.; Manhattan Beer Distributors; Atlantic, Tomorrow’s Office; Beecher Flooks Funeral Home Inc.; Empress Ambulance; Entergy; Polchinski Memorials Inc.; Sterling National Bank; and Zanzarella Marketing. The hole- in-one contest was sponsored by Condor, Mt. Kisco Chevrolet-Cadillac, and the dinner sponsor was TOMRA of North America, Inc.

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Left: Kim Gordon, MHC-LP, CT, bereavement coordinator; Bruce Page, MAT, MDiv, former director of volunteers; Karen Morrison Dreher, LCSW-R, bereavement coordinator. Center: The Burwell Family. right: Christine Duff (second from right), HOW staff nurse, and her family.

Butterfly ReleaseHundreds of family, friends, and community members gathered for a remembrance ceremony at HOW’s 9th annual Memorial Butterfly Release on June 23 at the Wainwright House in Rye.

top row, from Left: Michael Vitale, event co-chair and sponsor (second from right), and the Sterling National Bank at HOW’s 17th Annual Golf Invitational. Center: Jim Blenderman, sponsor, Atlantic, Tomorrow’s Office; Holly K. Benedict, director of development and public affairs, HOW; James P. O’Toole, event co-chair. right: Joseph Kahl, event co-chair and sponsor, Manhattan Beer Distributors; John Zanzarella, event co-chair and sponsor, Zanzarella Marketing; William F. Flooks Jr., event co-chair and sponsor, Beecher Flooks Funeral Home, Inc.; Mary Gibbons Gardiner CDFA®, CRPC®, chair, HOW board of directors; James P. O’Toole, event co-chair; Mary K. Spengler, MS, CEO, HOW; Jack Geoghegan, event co-chair and sponsor, Hildegarde D. Becher Foundation, Inc.; Kenneth Theobalds, event co-chair and sponsor, Entergy; Michael Ciaramella, event co-chair and sponsor, Polchinski Memorials; Tim Murphy, event co-chair and hole-in-one sponsor, Condor, Mt. Kisco Chevrolet-Cadillac. Bottom Left: Jim O’Connor, event co-chair and sponsor (second from left), and the Empress Ambulance foursome at HOW’s 17th Annual Golf Invitational. Bottom right: Donna Dahl (fourth from left, center row) with the Dahl family.

“Unfortunately, people tend to delay discussing advance directives with their loved ones because the topic of one’s mortality may be uncom-fortable for some,” says Amoruso from Amoruso & Amoruso LLP in Rye Brook, who also serves as president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. “Without these documents, however, if an individual becomes incapacitated or incapable of making decisions regarding their care or finances, the family may have no choice but to commence a guard-ianship proceeding in court to have a guardian appointed to make the decisions for them. That process can add unwanted stress on the family and can, if contested, amount to thousands of dollars.”

New York State has developed simple advance directive forms that are available online, through hospitals and other healthcare providers. These forms should be filled out thoughtfully and thoroughly.

“It is not enough for an individual to express a general desire to avoid being sustained by machines,” Amoruso points out. “The advance directives need to either explicitly spell out the person’s wishes as they pertain to specific circumstances that may affect quality of life, or give complete discretion to their agent to make the required decisions based on the agent’s actual knowledge of the

patient’s wishes (e.g. partial or com-plete paralysis from a stroke, inability to recognize loved ones because of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, or other stages of a terminal illness). The directives should also include wishes not only about ‘extraordinary means’ (i.e., machines), but also directives regarding artificial nutrition and hydration in the event that the person cannot eat or drink independently.”

Families often need assistance from an attorney, hospice professional or other professional with expertise in

drawing up advance directives, to ensure that the documents are written with sufficient detail and clearly express the person’s wishes.

LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO BEGIN THE CONVERSATION

It may be easiest (and the most comfortable) to piggy-back the advance directives discussion onto a medical, financial or legal issue. One might bring up the topic after a doctor’s appointment for a check-up or to treat an illness. A meeting with a financial advisor about a retirement portfolio also offers a natural segue into a conversation about estate planning and advance directives. Additionally, the topic of advance directives could be brought up during or after a meeting with a family or elder care attorney. Family members may even privately suggest that the attorney start the discussion.

Advance directives are best addressed when a parent or loved one still is healthy and can clearly express wishes and desires. In this way, loved ones can face critical or end-of-life illness with grace, dignity, comfort and compassion.

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From left: William F. Flooks, Jr., board member and chair of the board development committee; Jaquelyn Pirri, former board chair; Mary Gibbons Gardiner CDFA®, CRPC®, board chair; Rochelle Shereff, daughter-in-law of Anna and Louis H. Shereff; Mary K. Spengler, MS, CEO

On Thurs., April 11, Hospice of Westchester (HOW) celebrated the dedication of its board room to longtime supporter Anna L. Shereff. Mrs. Shereff established The Anna & Louis H. Shereff Caregiver Program in 1995, and generously expanded her sponsorship to include the Complementary Care Program in 2012. Mrs. Shereff’s vision, resources, and commitment to HOW were unprecedented, and included matching all funds raised at HOW’s annual In Celebration Gala Reception.

H O N O R I N G A Truly Special Supporter

From left: Holly K. Benedict,

Director of Public Affairs and Development; William

F. Flooks Jr., Board Member; Mary K. Spengler,

MS, Chief Executive Officer; Peter and Karen Herrero, owners, Sam’s

of Gedney Way

Spring SoiréeHOW’s 5th annual Spring Soiree took place on May 29 at Sam’s of Gedney Way in White Plains. Ten percent of the revenue generated throughout the evening was donated to the organization and was earmarked to support our vital programs and compassionate services.

Hospice of Westchester is a private not-for-profit, tax exempt

agency that is certified by the federal government, licensed by the New York

State Department of Health, as well as accredited by the Community Health

Accreditation Program (CHAP).

FOR 27 YEARS, HOSPICE OF WESTCHESTER (HOW) HAS PROVIDED EXCEPTIONAL HOSPICE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO RESIDENTS OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY DIAGNOSED WITH ANY LIFE-LIMITING ILLNESS. WE CONTINUE TO BUILD ON OUR LEGACY OF BEING A VITAL MEMBER OF WESTCHESTER’S HEALTH-CARE COMMUNITY

BY PROVIDING END-OF-LIFE CARE THAT EMPHASIZES COMPASSION, DIGNITY, AND RESPECT TO OUR PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AS THEY TRAVEL ALONG THEIR MOST IMPORTANT JOURNEY.

This has been an active year for our organization, and this newsletter is an inspiring reflection on all of our activities throughout the year. We once again met all 20 standards of charitable accountability established by the Better Business Bureau and received designation as an accredited nonprofit. We could have not achieved any of these accomplishments without the dedication and leadership of our tireless staff, volunteers, board of directors, supporters and friends.

The fact that our organization has been able to operate for nearly three decades is a tremendous feat considering the rapidly changing healthcare environment at the national, state and local level. These changes across the continuum affect how hospice care is provided. As the number of patients dependent on our care has increased, so has the cost to care for them. Despite the fact that the patients and families served by hospice facilities continues to increase year over year, reimbursement rates have been cut dramatically.

It is important to note that we continue to maintain and offer our exceptional clinical expertise to our patients and their families. We are proud to say the financial cuts have had no impact on the compassionate care we provide. The losses, however, have required us to be even more dependent on our donors and supporters

Over the last 27 years, we have been privileged to provide hospice services to thousands of patients and their families. Our extraordinary staff celebrates and exemplifies our mission and values of respect, integrity, dignity, teamwork and excellence as they guide our patients and their families through the multiple dimensions of end-of-life care.

We would not be able to deliver such high-level care without the continued support of individuals, corporate neighbors, and the Westchester community. We are eternally grateful to you—our donors—without whom we would not be able to enrich and expand our services year after year and continue to be recognized as the “Hospice of Choice” in Westchester County.

Thank you for your continued support and generosity. Our best wishes to you and your family for a peaceful and healthy holiday season!

Mary K. Spengler, MS

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L E T T E R F R O M The Chief Executive Officer APPRECIATION TO FRIENDS

AND SUPPORTERS OF HOSPICE OF WESTCHESTER

For 27 years, Hospice of Westchester (HOW) has served as

an integral and solid member of the Westchester County community by providing

exceptional, end-of-life care that emphasizes compassion, dignity

and respect. In a challenging medical environment, we

continue to rely on you and other community members who have

supported us throughout our history. We would like to thank

our donors for the essential role they have played in our

continued success. Your dedication to our organization

and mission has made it possible for us to give patients and their families the assurance that they will receive the highest quality of care during their most important

journey. It is through this combined effort that we remain

the “Hospice of Choice” in Westchester County.

Please continue this tradition by making a year-end, tax-

deductible gift to HOW using the enclosed envelope.

For further information, please contact Holly K. Benedict,

director of development and public relations, at 914-682-1484 ext. 122. We know that without your help, we would not have

been able to accomplish all that we have for 27 years. We are

eternally grateful for all that you continue to do.

Visit our website www.HospiceofWestchester.org

VO LU N T E E R O PP O RTU N I T I E S

Top, Front row: Anthony Ciarletta, honoree and sponsor, Grassy Sprain Pharmacy; Susan Fox, sponsor, White Plains Hospital; Susan Yubas, honoree; Joseph Kahl, honoree; Middle row: James P. O’Toole, co-chair; Michele Fraser Geller, co-chair, sponsor and board member; Mary K. Spengler, MS, CEO, HOW; Mary Gibbons Gardiner CDFA®, CRPC®, board chair and sponsor, The Blue Sandstone Group at Morgan Stanley; George Whitehead, board member and sponsor, PKF O’Connor Davies LLP; Back row: Daniel Molino, honoree, Grassy Sprain Pharmacy; William F. Flooks, Jr., co-chair, sponsor and board member, Beecher Flooks Funeral HomeBottom, Left: Max G. Gaujean, Esq., board member and sponsor, Brown, Gaujean, Kraus, Sastow PLLC; Holly K. Benedict, Director of Public Affairs and Development. Right: Grand sponsors Jesse (front row, center) and Rochelle Shereff (back row, middle) with friends and HOW staff.

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HOW hosted its 18th Annual “In Celebration” gala on September 26 at Westchester Country Club in Rye. The evening honored Grassy Sprain Pharmacy, Joseph Kahl and Susan Yubas for their dedicated support of the organization and its mission.

This year’s event co-chairs included William F. Flooks Jr., Michele Fraser Geller and James P. O’Toole. The following individuals/organizations sponsored the evening: grand sponsors Rochelle and Jesse Shereff; signature sponsors Grassy Sprain Pharmacy; Barbara and Paul T. Khoury, M.D.; and White Plains Hospital; premier sponsors Beecher Flooks Funeral Home; Brown, Gaujean, Kraus, Sastow PLLC; Michele Fraser Geller; The Blue Sandstone Group at Morgan Stanley; The Hildegarde D. Becher Foundation Inc.; PKF O’Connor Davies LLP; and VNS Westchester.

Fall/Winter Bereavement Groups and Workshops• Daytime Spouse/Partner

Loss

• Evening Adult Parent Loss

• “Flying Solo” spousal loss after a year (for women)

• Coping with The Holidays workshop

• Helping Your Child Through the Grieving Process workshop

Please contact our bereavement department for further information regarding dates, times and registration.

Karen M. Dreher, LCSW-RBereavement Coordinator914-682-1484, ext. 130

Kim Gordon, LMHC-CTBereavement Coordinator914-682-1484, ext. 163

B E R E AVE M E N T G R O U P S

Would you like to give back to the community? Make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families? We have listed many meaningful volunteer opportunities at HOW.

• Visit with patients and families to provide comfort, support and companionship

• Help patients with writing their life reviews, poetry or reading to patients

• Assist with HOW office activities as needed

• Arrange and deliver flowers for our Flowers for Life Program

If you are interested in the above activities or would like further information, we would love to hear from you.

Please call Joan Jacobus, Volunteer Coordinator at 914-682-1484, ext. 185 or e-mail Jjacobus@hospiceofwestches-ter.com

1025 Westchester Avenue, Suite 200White Plains, NY 10604

B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S

Mary Gibbons Gardiner, ChairBarbara Gaughan, Vice ChairKathleen McArdle, Secretary George Whitehead, Treasurer

Amy AnsehlJoanne Ciaramella, Esq.Barbara CostelloWilliam F. Flooks, Jr. Max Gaujean, Esq.Michele Fraser GellerJames O’ConnorMichael Palumbo, MDCharles TrainorMichael Vitale Susan Yubas (chair emeritus)

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. postage

PAIDPermit # 1291

White Plains,NY10601-4403

NATIONAL HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE MONTHNovember is designated as National Hospice &

Palliative Care Month, designed to raise awareness of hospice and palliative care within the community.

This year’s theme is “It’s About How You Live.” Hospice of Westchester is thrilled to present, in con-

junction with The Music Conservatory of Westchester, a concert series to patients in various nursing homes during the month of November. This has been made

possible through the generosity of our Anna & Louis H. Shereff Caregiver and Complementary Care Program.

Hospice of Westchester is a private, not-for-profit, tax-exempt agency.If this was received in error, please call 914-682-1484 ext 122.

Hospice of Westchester is committed to providing compassionate end of life care. We combine the highest level of quality medical care with emotional and spiritual support

enabling individuals and their loved ones to make the most of each day.

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TREE OF LIFE - December 2, 2019 Friends, families and community members are

invited to remember a loved one by purchasing a gold star in their memory. The evening also includes

a reception with entertainment.

Hilton Westchester5:00-6:30pm

For further information about the event or to make reservations, please call Holly K. Benedict at 914-682-1484 ext. 122.

In an effort to continue to offer the highest quality of care to our patients and their families, HOW is committed to providing ongoing educational opportunities to our staff and healthcare community members throughout the year. We are grateful for the support of Antonia Bentfeld and the Edward M. Simas Educational Fund who sponsor the educational series. Our 2019 presentation was titled, “Dealing with Challenging Issues.” It was presented by Kenneth J. Doka, Ph.D. a professor of gerontology at The College of New Rochelle and senior consultant to The Hospice Foundation of America.

Carol Townsend-Ross MPA, BSN, director of clinical services, HOW with Kenneth J. Doka, Ph.D

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