To be a kid again: Hospice Bereavement Program

More than 45 children and teens from Palm Beach County gathered recently for a weekend of sharing stories and paying tribute to those they have loved and lost. Camp SeaStar, held annually at the Everglades Youth Conservation Camp in the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Center, is an adventure-based bereavement program facilitated by Hospice of Palm Beach County (HPBC).

The weekend retreat welcomes South Florida children ages 5 to 18 who have experienced a loss and received bereavement support through Hospice of Palm Beach County. The camp allows time for sharing, support, celebration and fun, offering children a secure space and environment where they can meet other children like themselves who have lost a loved one and help them recognize that they are not alone in their feelings of grief. Camp SeaStar is provided at no charge, due to donors support.

"There's a tremendous curative factor in this group modality, in the sheer numbers. It really helps," said Hospice of Palm Beach County's Senior Director of Clinical Services, Regina Di Pietro.

Due to HPBC's recent expansion into Broward County, the camp will also be offered to Broward children this July.
While it may look like a traditional camp with children fishing, canoeing and toasting s'mores over a bonfire, every activity at Camp SeaStar has been designed with a specific purpose and cumulative effect towards the children's healing process.

"The counselors who created this program are highly skilled at integrating counseling support into the activities so that the process is virtually seamless to the children," said Di Pietro.

Upon arrival, campers are asked to pick an animal that represents traits or goals that they hope to work on during the weekend.

"I drew a moose and a bear," said 10-year-old Brooke Dixon. "The moose is for confidence and the bear is for strength in myself."

Three years ago, Brooke's mother died suddenly of a heart attack and Brooke came to this year's Camp SeaStar to again face her grief, but this time, a support system embraced her.

"I've made so many friends here," said the fourth grader about her favorite camp memories. "All the other kids here lost someone, too. It makes me realize I'm not alone."

For more information about Camp SeaStar and Broward Camp SeaStar, contact Supportive Care Manager, Chelsea Johnson at 561-227-5178 or email cjohnson@hpbc.com.

Since 1978, HPBC has cared for nearly 70,000 patients nearing their end of life. As a nonprofit organization, they care for all who want and qualify for services, regardless of ability to pay. HPBC's multi-cultural staff respects all religions and cultural traditions.

For more information, visit www.hpbc.com.

Sun Sentinel
Palm Beach Edition
April 11, 2012

What Being a Hospice Nurse means To Me

As a nurse I have worked in critical care, mental health, long term, medical surgery, school nursing and case management, but none has been as rewarding as my current position with Hospice of Palm Beach County. As a Hospice nurse, I am charged with caring for patients at their end-of-life. I am able to watch the peaceful process of dying and able to console a grieving family.

To me, there are two important events in a person’s life, their birth and their death. As a rule when we are born there is someone other than our mother to bear witness and support our grand entrance into this world. On the other hand, many people might not have any significant others to bear witness to the second most important event in their life, their death.

Consequently I cannot think of a more important reason to be a Hospice nurse, than having the privilege of bearing witness to the peaceful dying process of a fellow human being and their grieving family. No other person does what a Hospice nurse does for the dying patient. And always, my feelings are the same, the mixed feeling of gratitude and awe to bear witness to the second most important event in a person’s life.

~ Lester Bavegehims is the Continuous Care Manager, Hospice of Palm Beach County

A Caregiver Story - Steve Macht

Dotte Macht was a devoted wife and mother, and golf champion. A single digit handicap golfer, she achieved several club championships and three holes-in-one. Dotte was an independent, feisty, no-frills woman who loved her family, sports and giving back to her community.

Having raised their family in Coral Gables, Dotte and Bob Macht moved to the Northern Palm Beaches when Bob retired in the late 1980’s. They remained very close with their children who were then living in other states - speaking every day, visiting often and vacationing together.

Their close family was dealt a tragic blow when Bob died from a sudden cardiovascular event. After forty-nine years of marriage, the trauma of losing her husband and best friend was a setback that Dotte never truly recovered from. It marked the beginning of he

r journey into Alzheimer’s disease. Over time, this stoic family matriarch became disoriented, which distressed her. Her children took turns caring for Dotte in Florida and eventually got her to accept having full-time nursing care in her home as her needs increased.

A few years after her husband’s death, Dotte had a series of strokes, which dramatically accelerated her descent into Alzheimer’s. This prompted her son, Steve, to move into her home so he could supervise her care. Fortunately, as a business consultant, he had the freedom to transfer his business operations to Florida.

As Dotte became increasingly dependent, Steve became less comfortable leaving her for more than an hour or two at a time. He eventually began to feel the effects of stress on his own health as he struggled to manage her care in addition to his own business interests.

When she was hospitalized after a stroke, Dotte’s neurologist recommended that the family call Hospice of Palm Beach County. He assured them that Hospice would offer excellent care right in her own home, where she would be the most comfortable. ”I thought hospice was only called in for the last few days of life. I had no idea that they could help us. Boy, was I wrong!” Steve remarked.

“We all felt such a sense of ease as soon as we were in Hospice’s care. We had a team of medical experts who were always there for us,”Steve added. Hospice was constantly assessing any changes and responding to them so Steve no longer had to worry about anything falling through the cracks that could impact Dotte’s health. “We felt totally confident that she was receiving the best possible care. I cannot express the relief that brought to all of us,” continued Steve.

“Suddenly, there was this guardian of care around my mother. They took care of all of us. Every person on Mom’s Hospice team was professional, compassionate and truly cared about her as a person.” added Steve. “Their care was so gentle, respectful - almost reverent. This loving care enabled her to regain her dignity, which was incredibly important to her.”

Before Hospice entered her life, Dotte was shutting down. It was Hospice that gave her the encouragement to go forward. “Hospice helped Mom expand her horizons and keep going. They gave her the sense that each day of her life was worthwhile and wonderful. This restored her hope and brought her a wonderful sense of peace,” Steve added.

“It was an extraordinary experience to see my mother relax, let go and enjoy the last months of her life. Thanks to Hospice, they were filled with peace and joy,” Steve concluded.

A Caregiving Story - Martha Varela

Nina Varela emigrated to the U.S. from Cuba with her husband in the 1950’s. In 1968, she moved to Miami Beach as a single mother raising two daughters, Doreen and Martha. Nina was a devoted mother who supported her family by cleaning buildings, which she later went on to manage. After going to night school, she got a job assisting the elderly in subsidized housing, a job she continued to do until she retired.

Shortly after retirement, Nina began to have health issues. Martha and Doreen cared for her after two hip replacement surgeries. The focus of their lives became hospital and rehab care, physical therapy and doctor appointments. Although the family hoped Nina would rebound, her health deteriorated rapidly. During a three-month period, Nina suffered three major strokes and underwent two emergency cardiovascular surgeries, requiring lengthy stays in rehab.

“Mom was discharged from rehab when she reached the Medicare 91-day yearly limit. When she first arrived home, she was able to transfer from her bed to a wheelchair. But, with continuous TIA’s and lack of rehab, she regressed and quickly became bedridden,” explained Martha. “We were determined to care for her at home, but she was in such a weakened state we didn’t know how we were going to manage. We really needed help.”

Martha decided to call Hospice of Palm Beach County to get advice. “What did I have to lose? I figured I’d make the call, explain the situation and ask if Hospice could do anything to help or guide me. I didn’t know if Mom met the criteria for hospice care, but I knew Hospice would have more answers than we did,” Martha added.

When the hospice doctor and admissions nurse came to the house to assess Nina’s condition, Martha was grateful for the respect they showed her mother. The physician spoke to Nina directly, in her native Spanish. He took the time to develop a personal connection with her.

After the assessment, the physician and nurse sat down with the family to educate them on Nina’s condition. Together, they developed goals for her care based on what they wanted, which was to have time together and enjoy life.

Just one hour after the visit, they had everything they needed to take care of Nina. All of the equipment, supplies and medications related to hospice care were delivered, including a lift that made it possible for Martha and Doreen to easily get Nina out of bed and into a wheelchair.

“It is hard to express the sense of relief that Hospice provided,” Martha continued. “What had been overwhelming was now manageable. With the burden lifted, we had the support to take care of Mom the way we wanted to. If we had a question or concern, we could call 24 hours a day. Knowing that we were always able to reach someone was very comforting. We knew that we didn’t have to handle everything all by ourselves; we weren’t alone.”

Hospice of Palm Beach County gave Martha and her family a quality of life they didn’t expect when she first picked up the phone to make the call. “We were given the gift of time with Mom that we didn’t think we could have. Hospice gave us the chance to celebrate life with her - Mother’s Day, family parties and birthdays,”explained Martha.

“Since I was a little girl, my mother jokingly asked me ‘Mamita, why did you come into this world?’My answer was‘To take care of you, Mom’. Martha concluded,“With the loving care of Hospice of Palm Beach County, we were able to care for her the way we hoped to and treat her like a queen. She had taken such wonderful care of us. She deserved it.”

Helping Families Care for their Loved Ones

How our family can help your family

When loved ones are nearing end of life, families do everything they can to care for them. They want to provide the best possible care, but may not be sure what that is. They often feel unprepared and overwhelmed as they try to make the “right” decisions and meet their loved ones’ changing needs.

Instead of struggling to do all of this on their own, families can reach for the support available from Hospice of Palm Beach County.

We can help relieve the stress of the unknown. We’re here to hold your hand and walk with you on the journey that lies ahead, offering guidance and education so you can make the best decisions for your loved one’s care.

With our support, you and your loved one can relax, knowing that you are receiving the best possible care. Our physicians, nurses and certified nursing assistants are experts in end-of-life care and we’re here to help you 24/7. Whenever you have questions or concerns, our nursing staff is on call for reassurance, a telephone consultation or a home visit. We can respond to any need around the clock, delivering medications, medical equipment and supplies to your loved one’s home.

Our compassionate care is designed to meet each family’s specific needs. We care for our patients wherever they live, whether that is in the family home, residential facility, nursing home or hospice inpatient care center. Honoring all cultural and religious traditions, we offer emotional and spiritual support for the entire family.

We’re also here to provide you with caregiver support. When you need a break, our specially-trained volunteers visit with your loved one or help with errands. If you need to go out of town for a few days, you can rest assured that he or she will receive excellent respite care in one of our inpatient care centers.

There are so many ways that our family can help your family. You are not alone. All you have to do is call 561.227.5140. Our Admissions Coordinators are available 24/7 to answer your questions and help you determine whether hospice care is right for you. The sooner you call, the longer you and your loved one can benefit from our care.

Do you know ways to give?

We all know what to do to help patients and families in our care, but we might not know how to let them help us. In this issue of The Heart of Hospice, you will learn of the ways families can give back in support of our programs and services to help others in their time of need. Take a moment to learn more about these opportunities and to share them the next time you are asked by a family member, "What can we do to show our gratitude?"

Our volunteer program has many options for those with time to donate their time to Hospice of Palm Beach County. Volunteers can perform duties that fit both their schedules and desires, such as administrative work, visiting patients or assisting with our many special events, for example. We also have a program for Professional Volunteers in fields such as Accounting, Massage Therapy, Nursing and more, so that volunteers can use their professional skills to assist our patients and families.

Another way to give back is through our Resale Program. Hospice of Palm Beach County Resale Operation not only looks for volunteers to assist in the Shops, but also for donations of gently used clothing, housewares and accessories to be sold in the shops. This is a fun and rewarding option for those interested in supporting the diverse programs and services Hospice of Palm Beach County offers to patients and families. If a family has a vehicle, boat, RV or other form of transportation they are interested in donating, we can speak with them about our Hospice Cars program.

For those interested in making a monetary gift, there are a variety of options.

Memorial gifts are the most common gifts. Families may request that friends and colleagues make donations in memory of their loved one in lieu of flowers and often include this in the obituary.

If a friend or family wants to memorialize their loved one in a more visible way, we have naming opportunities.

• Bricks in the Helen L. Messic Meadow, located at the Gerstenberg Center, are a relatively affordable option. For a one time gift of $250 or $500 (depending on the size of the brick) the brick is etched with the loved one’s name and placed on the walkway.

• For a one time gift of $5,000, a bench is placed in the Helen L. Messic meadow with a plaque placed on the seat back of the bench.

• For a cumulative gifts totaling $5,000, a plaque can be placed by a tree in the Helen L. Messic Meadow.

• For cumulative gifts totaling $10,000 and $20,000, a plaque can be placed on the tree of life located in the atrium.

• For larger gifts that can be pledged over 5 years, there are naming opportunities for rooms, program areas and facilities throughout the Gerstenberg Center and our five (5) inpatient units.

• For a one time gift of $1,000, you can add your loved one’s name to the beautiful stained glass artwork located at each of our five inpatient units: Jay Robert Lauer Hospice and Palliative Care Unit which also offers a beautiful recognition wall; Bethesda Memorial Hospice and Palliative Care Unit; Hospice and Palliative Care Unit at Good Samaritan Medical Center; Hospice and Palliative Care Unit at the Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center; and the Hospice and Palliative Care Unit at Delray Medical Center.

Patients and families often say they wish they could do more. We can help friends of Hospice of Palm Beach County to do more through gift planning. Gift planning (planned gifts) combines financial planning, estate planning and tax planning techniques so that supporters can make significant gifts, often with dramatic tax and financial rewards.

Naming Hospice of Palm Beach County in your will is one of the easiest ways to support the organization and does not affect your current income. Hospice of Palm Beach County can be named as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan (IRA).

The Foundation staff is knowledgeable and available to help you with gift giving plans. We encourage individuals to seek an attorney or financial professional’s advice when planning their gift.

Lastly, a way for businesses to support Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation is the new Corporate Partnership Program. By becoming a member of this program, Corporate Partners receive many benefits, which may include:

• Recognition on Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation's donor wall

• Recognition as a member of the Corporate Partnership Program in News To Friends, our newsletter that is published three times a year

• Logo included on Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation’s website

• Recognition on all Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation e-blasts

• A framed Corporate Partnership Certificate

To learn more about the ways to support Hospice of Palm Beach County through gifts, please visit our Foundation offices or call 561.484.6881. To learn more about our volunteer program, please call 561.227.5138.

Fritz Estime, Chaplain - Honoring your culture at a significant time

Fritz, who speaks fluent Creole, was called to work with a Haitian family because there were language and culture barriers. The family was having difficulty fully grasping what was happening to their loved one. Fritz explained to them, in their language, that the patient was very sick and only had a short time to live. He helped them process the situation and gave them insight so they could appreciate the magnitude of the circumstances. The family was scared and confused but Fritz reassured and supported them. He encouraged the family to enjoy the brief time that they had with the patient and integrated their cultural and religious practices to make them feel more at ease. Fritz brought a piece of their country, traditions, lifestyle and norms so they could be at peace. The family was grateful for the time they had spent with their loved one thanks to Fritz’s expertise and compassion.