Sometimes, the simplest things can make all the difference . . .

Carlos' greatest wish was to eat pork and have Cuban coffee with his family at Thanksgiving Dinner. Because of his congestive heart failure, it had been months since he was able to eat the traditional foods he loved at family meals and it was very frustrating for him. Even while caring for him in the comfort of his home, we were able to adjust his medication just enough, starting the day before Thanksgiving, on Thanksgiving Day and the following day. Carlos enjoyed his meal without consequences to his comfort or health, and it meant the world to him.

When spiritual support means so much . . .

Throughout their 57 years of marriage, Ralph would put on music every night at 10:00 and dance with his wife Madolyn. Eventually, at age 86 with advanced cancer, there came a time when Ralph was too weak to dance or leave their home. One of the things they really missed being able to do together was attending synagogue. So, one of our ordained rabbis began visiting them at home. "Ralph loved it when the rabbi came over. We sang songs from the services and said prayers together. It brought both of us so much comfort to share these moments and to be able to talk with him," Madolyn said.

Every day is a gift

Hospice is about living... We are here to give you comfort and help you live each day as fully as possible when you or someone you love had a life-threatening illness. Our care is based on the belief that every life has meaning and every moment of every day is a gift. As we ease pain and symptoms, and provide the emotional and spiritual comfort your family needs, you can focus more on each other and each precious day you have together.

If you've ever had the chance to experience hospice care, you may have seen our philosophy in action. Dr. Faustino Gonzalez, MD, FACP, FAAHPM, Vice President of Medical Affairs, says it best. "When we first meet with our patients and families, we ask them, 'What are your hopes? What would make you happy?' We are honored to hear their stories and support them every way we can. We're here to help people live the way they want to and do the things that are important to them." In fact, it was this quote that inspired us to share a few of the meaningful stories we so often hear from the families in our care, through News to Friends.

We make sure that every person in our care feels protected and supported. We understand what families are going through and give them whatever tools and support they need to meet their goals for living.

"When a cure is no longer likely, there is so much we can do to help people feel better," explained Dr. Gonzalez in a recent interview. "We are here to meet their needs. We are here to help them live. That is exactly what hospice is all about."

My Final Journey

This beautiful letter was written by one of our patients, Fred, to his hospice physician:

When people are asked "how would you prefer to die?" they almost always say "by passing away in my sleep." Once, that was also my response.

I now see and live life quite differently. I have learned, post my diagnosis, you must experience the final journey to truly appreciate it.

The final journey I am referring to provided me, and maybe you, the ability to feel, to do, to observe, to cry and to wonder. To be held or very simply touched. Questions were asked without reservations while answers simply seemed to flow my way. It really was a wonderful experience.

I was looked at ~ positively; I was listened to ~ intently; I was hugged ~ with meaning; I was helped ~ continuously and, yes, ~ it all felt so very good. Some friends reached out while others stayed overly reserved. Everyone seemed to find or at least blend into their own comfort zone.

In her famous book On Death and Dying, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross identified five distinct stages (Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance) a person normally follows in their final journey.

It became clear to scholars those very same stages identified for a dying person also applied directly for the loved ones and friends of those who were actually dying.

I truly enjoyed, yes enjoyed, my journey. The time it took me to do some processing also provided the quality time my family, friends and acquaintances may have needed to do their own searching. Time I believe well spent.

My journey has finally ended. Although yours may be far off and nowhere in sight, it still looms to surface surely some day.

May your final journey follow smoothly in the footsteps you helped mold for me. You have truly assisted in blending various segments of mine into a wonderful experience I now cherish and so dearly appreciate.

Remain well and we shall meet again.
Fred

Corporate Partner Profile - Wally Findlay Galleries

James R. Borynack

With galleries in New York, Barcelona and Palm Beach, James R. Borynack is renowned throughout the art world as the Chairman and CEO of the distinguished Wally Findlay Galleries International. Along with his lifelong interest in fine art, Jimmy developed another passion as a young man after a life-changing experience.

In the mid-1970s, Jimmy’s mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness. She was such a vibrant and active woman leading up to the diagnosis that her seven adult children and her husband struggled to comprehend what was happening. Finally, hospice was called in. “They met with us and took the time to educate us on the end of life,” Jimmy explained. “It was an amazing experience to transition from confusion to acceptance, focusing on our time together. Everything became so much easier for all of us.”

To help others receive this invaluable support, Jimmy has dedicated himself to raising awareness of the benefits of hospice care. At the national level, he became chairman of the board of the National Hospice Foundation and chaired their National Board of Governors. Locally, Wally Findlay Galleries Palm Beach has been raising funds to support Hospice of Palm Beach County since 1997. “We continue to support Hospice of Palm Beach County each year because it is a necessity that touches everyone,” Jimmy added.

In addition to their Corporate Partnership, the Palm Beach gallery generously hosts the Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation Chairman’s Reception each year. Announcing a new fund-raising event, Jimmy shared, “We are excited to be hosting Masque Celebrity Art at the gallery on March 9th, 2013. It will be an evening of fun as we auction off masks decorated by Celebrities, Philanthropists and Captains of Industry.” Jimmy added, “We do whatever we can to support Hospice of Palm Beach County as they care for all of us.
They’re our saving grace at the end of life.”

To learn more about Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation’s Corporate Partnership Program and other corporate giving programs that support Hospice of Palm Beach County, please contact Carrie Browne at 561.494.6882. For information on upcoming Foundation events, please contact Lauryn Barry at 561.494.6884.

Every day is a gift

Hospice is about living… We are here to give you comfort and help you live each day as fully as possible when you or someone you love has a life-threatening illness. Our care is based on the belief that every life has meaning and every moment of every day is a gift. As we ease pain and symptoms, and provide the emotional and spiritual comfort your family needs, you can focus more on each other and each precious day you have together.

If you’ve ever had the chance to experience hospice care, you may have seen our philosophy inaction. Dr. Faustino Gonzalez, MD, FACP, FAAHPM, Vice President of Medical Affairs, says it best. “When we first meet with our patients and families, we ask them, ‘What are your hopes? What would make you happy?’ We are honored to hear their stories and support them every way we can. We’re here to help people live the way they want to and do the things that are important to them.” In fact, it was this quote that inspired us to share a few of the meaningful stories we so often hear from the families in our care, through News to Friends.

We make sure that every person in our care feels protected and supported. We understand what families are going through and give them whatever tools and support they need to meet their goals for living.

“When a cure is no longer likely, there is so much we can do to help people feel better,” explained Dr. Gonzalez in a recent interview. “We are here to meet their needs.We are here to help them live. That is exactly what hospice s all about.”

Volunteers

Meet Ruby Collins … Volunteer since 2003

Volunteer Ruby Collins

Nine years ago, Hospice of Palm Beach County helped Ruby Collins care for her husband, Charlie, in their home. “It was hospice care the way you hope it would be,” said Ruby. The experience was so meaningful to Ruby that she has been a volunteer with us ever since! “Hospice relieved so much of the burden from our shoulders and gave us more personal time together,” she explained. “They bathed and exercised Charlie, who had become completely immobile. And music therapy became his greatest pleasure.” After Charlie’s death, our grief support services helped Ruby come to terms with her loss and everything she’d been through in those four difficult months. Now, Ruby volunteers her time at fund-raising events that support our patient care and grief support programs. Wanting to help others receive the care that her family did, Ruby has been a tireless volunteer, helping out in our offices, at Foundation events and making “Caring Calls” to family members to offer condolences and information on our bereavement services.

Thank you, Ruby! You touch the lives of countless people and make it possible for us to care for everyone who needs us! 

You can help families when they need it most! 

Are you looking for a meaningful volunteer experience? Here are some of the many ways that you can help.

• Patient Visitors - Personal visits are a gift of compassion and kindness that mean the world to our patients and families. 
• Special Events - Our volunteers help Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation at their fund-raising events that help us care for the people in our community. 
• Resale Shops - Helping out at our upscale resale shops are a great way to get involved If you have a few hours per month and you would like to make a difference please call us at 561.227.5138.