In our three decades of providing special care to everyone in need, two continuing acts of love have made our work a success: the work of our dedicated volunteers, and support from caring people in the community. Without love, there would be no Hope.
 
We are often asked, "How can you do all that you do? How can you pay for it?" While Medicare, Medicaid and insurance cover the costs of a large part of many of our care programs, we provide a number of services for which we receive no reimbursement. We rely on our friends in the community to help with the expenses for programs including:

• Care for patients who have no medical coverage
• Bereavement counseling for patients and families
• The Rainbow Trails Camp for bereaved children
• A large portion of the cost of our Partners in Care program, providing comfort care to children who have a life-limiting illness
• Spiritual care
• Comforting therapies, including music, art, massage and aromatherapy
• The Hope Parkinson Program
• The construction costs of all of our Hope Hospice Houses

 
Without the support of our volunteers in doing our work, and without generous, caring friends, there would be no comfort and dignity at the end of life for many people. There would be no place for grieving or seriously ill children to turn. There would be no Hope Hospice Houses.
 
This is why you mean so much to Hope, and everyone we serve.
 
Thank you for all that you do.

Q: I am visiting a patient whose family is really struggling with caring for them.  I want to help and would be willing to go more often but I am not sure what to do.  What can I do to help without overstepping my bounds?
 
A: Boundaries are probably the hardest topic to talk about with volunteers because you care so much, which is why you are a volunteer. If you feel your patient and their family would like more help, please contact your volunteer specialist.  There are several reasons why this is important:

• The Social Worker and care team need to know if the family has needs that are not being met. Their needs may be greater than additional volunteer support can provide. 
• Your volunteer specialist needs to know what you are doing so we do not extend your assignment capacity. 
• We need to make sure the family wants the extra help. They may not be ready to accept more assistance. 

If you let your volunteer specialist know, we can arrange for you to go more often if the family is receptive without compromising boundaries and care.

Tour The Butterfly Estates, Downtown Fort Myers
The Butterfly Estates is a conservatory that showcases the diversity of Florida's butterfly population. Resembling a rainforest, the conservatory houses 1,500 butterflies at any given point of time.

Visitors to the estate are taken by its charm as the gardens are in full bloom with a variety of flowers and plants. We hope you can join us. 
 
Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009
Meet at 10:15 a.m.
Tour starts at 10:30 a.m.
Admission and Lunch $21.00 per person
If you are a member your cost is $10.00 
Space is limited. Please reserve your space by November 30.
Call Joe Pardi with questions

Button, Button, who's got their button?
In observance of National Hospice Month in November, we are asking for your help to increase awareness about Hope Hospice. Volunteers will be provided buttons that read: "Ask me about Hope." We're eager to hear how many people 'ask' about the buttons, and their comments.
 
You can get your buttons, along with talking points about Hope Hospice to aid in your response to inquiries, from your volunteer specialist. We simply ask that you wear the button throughout the month, and keep a short record of how many people actually 'ask' about the button, and their response. A tracking sheet will also be included with the button. Sheets should be returned to the Volunteer Department by December 15.  
 
While participation is voluntary, we do hope you will be a part of this project.  Buttons are available at all Hope offices and Hope Chest.  Please contact your volunteer specialist if you have questions.

 

In Honor of Veterans Day
Thank you to all our Hope Volunteers who have served in the Armed Forces!  If you are a Veteran, and your name is not on this list, please call your volunteer specialist and let us know.  We would love to add you to the list. 

Helpful Information, Inspiring Stories to Highlight Local Care and Programs
 
Knowing where to turn when special healthcare services are needed is vitally important to everyone. Now more than ever, people are concerned about solutions for their healthcare needs, today and in the future.

Hope HealthCare Services has created a new magazine, Wings of Hope, offering helpful information and inspiring stories about hospice and other healthcare services to meet local needs as the population grows and changes.

"Because this kind of information is so important, we are offering complimentary subscriptions to everyone," said Hope President and CEO Samira K. Beckwith. "It will be helpful to the families and loved ones of those who are in life's final chapter, the frail elderly, seriously ill, and the families of children with a life-changing illness."  Beckwith said the magazine will also be a resource for those who are experiencing grief.   

Wings of Hope will be published quarterly. The previous version of the Wings of Hope newsletter had been distributed to donors and supporters for more than 20 years. The premier issue of the new Wings is being released in November, National Hospice Month, a time to raise awareness of the care that Hope provides. The inaugural issue also highlights Hope programs and services for veterans, in honor of Veterans Day.

Wings of Hope magazine will be designed and produced by Times of the Islands, Inc., creators of Times of the Islands, RSW Living, Bonita Living, and Gulf & Main magazines. Publisher Friedrich N. Jaeger, a long time supporter and advocate of Hope HealthCare Services, notes, "We are delighted to partner with the local Hope organization to produce a quality and informative magazine, and are honored to help spread the word about the many worthwhile and important aspects of their services and programs."

To subscribe to the new Wings of Hope, please call (239) 985-7789, or subscribe online at www.hopehcs.org/forms/wingsofhope

The memorial support volunteers support and assist Hope Hospice Chaplains in providing families with meaningful and personalized memorial services which are celebrated in our Hope Hospice Chapels and community rooms. As the number of requests for services at Hope increases, it is essential that our staff and facilities have the ability to provide the very best to our families.

The role of the Memorial Support Volunteer is vital to this program in order to create and conduct flawless services that will create a lasting memory for the families and friends attending. The details associated with a memorial service are many and are extremely important to carry out a successful service that exceeds the expectations of the family and friends. 

Volunteer tasks include: 

1) Meet with Chaplin or Memorial Support Counselor to review the service and coordinate a specific list of items required for the service and reception if requested.

2) Contact the family to confirm details and assist them with selecting personalized items for service and reception (develop a theme) if needed.

3) Assist in selecting music for background and service, if needed.

4) Arrive one hour prior to service time to greet family and make sure room is ready.

5) Assist Chaplain during and after the service as needed.  Be a contact for the family as needed.

If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact your volunteer specialist to register for class.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Fort Myers, HealthPark Office            
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.                        

Cape Coral Hospice House
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

 

Hope has partnered with Land's End to provide top quality, branded clothing for you. Click on the image above to visit the site where you can purchase official Hope Volunteer Wear.