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Debunking the Myths of Hospice
Myth: Hospice is for when there is no hope.
"When death is in sight, there are two options: submit without hope or live life as fully as ever until the end. The gift of hospice is its capacity to help families see how much can be shared at the end of life through personal and spiritual connections often left behind. It is no wonder that many family members can look back upon their hospice experience with gratitude, and with the knowledge that everything possible was done towards a peaceful death."
This and nine other myths are part of a longer article written by Naomi Naierman, President & CEO of American Hospice Foundation and Johanna Turner. Read the whole article on the Hospice Foundation of America's web site.
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Q. I am a woman in my mid-sixties. My physician recently informed me that I have a prognosis of ten months to live. I feel well at the moment, and wonder when I should get in touch with Hospicare?
Like you, many terminally ill people and their families ask, "How will I know when it is the right time to call hospice?" Of course, there is no single or simple answer to that question. It all depends upon individual circumstances. But if you're wondering about the right time to contact Hospicare, now is probably the time to call. It is never too soon to start gathering information. A very good rule is to call Hospice sooner rather than later.
An important part of Hospicare's mission is providing guidance to families in Tompkins County about any end-of-life care issues, whether or not they are enrolled on our services. Hospicare staff can answer your questions and help you better understand your options. Calling isn't a commitment, only an opportunity to become more prepared.
Many people are surprised to learn that hospice can support patients and families for many months at the end of life. When a doctor agrees that a patient is in the final six months of life if the illness runs its normal course, hospice care can begin. But even if the patient lives longer than six months, hospice care may be able to continue, if a six month prognosis still seems likely.
You don't need a physician referral to call Hospicare for information. If it appears that hospice might be beneficial at this time, we will, with your permission, contact your doctor to discuss it.
"If only we had called sooner....." is a comment we often hear from families who have experienced the benefits of hospice. The team can certainly help if they are called in during the last few days of a person's life, but early intervention allows the hospice team to benefit the patient and family more comprehensively. Hospicare can assist patients and families in many ways -- medically, psychologically, and spiritually -- and much more effectively when there is time. By contacting us early, you ensure that you and your family will receive this holistic array of services as soon as possible.
Help From Hospicare is an advice column written by members of the Hospicare team. Every month we will feature one question in the e-news, and archive the rest on our web site. If you have a question about hospice care, pain management, spiritual matters at the end of life, bereavement, or you're wondering what to say to a friend who just entered hospice care, you can email us and we will answer it for you. All Q&A responses will be published anonymously, and anyone of any age is welcome to ask a question!
**Please note, if you need to speak to Hospicare staff or have a direct patient related question, please call 607-272-0212.
This month's question was answered by Edie Reagan, Hospicare's Spiritual Care Coordinator.
Read the archives online here.
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Women Swimmin' for Hospicare
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Artwork by Annie Campbell; design by Linda Mikula Hayylor
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The 8th annual Women Swimmin' for Hospicare will be held on Saturday, August 13 at the Ithaca Yacht Club from 6:15 to 10:30am. Within one week of registration opening, 350 women had pledged to swim across Cayuga Lake and raise money for Hospicare. As of May 31, swimmers have already raised almost $30,000 toward our 2011 goal of $275,000!
We're still looking for experienced boaters to escort swimmers safely across the lake. For more information on registering as a boater, please click here.
We are so grateful to all of those who swim, boat, and help to make this annual event a celebration of community. Although we do not have a waiting list for swimmers, we invite those who won't be swimming to participate in an "alternative challenge," such as a 1.2 mile run, bike, or walk. We also invite people to volunteer -- there are many volunteer opportunities, both small and large, before, during and after the event.
If you'd like to donate to Women Swimmin', please click here. You can donate to a specific swimmer, boater or team by entering the last name of the person or the team name and clicking "Search." Then click the person's name to be taken to his or her personal fundraising page. If you'd like to see a complete list of event participants, don't enter any names or text in the box and just click "Search."
Did you know you can split a single donation between up to five swimmers, boaters, or teams? After you've searched for them by name or the complete list, check the boxes next to individuals' or teams' names then click "Donate Now."
Last but not least, please cheer on the swimmers on August 13! We will have several on-shore activities and breakfast provided by Ithaca Bakery/Collegetown Bagels for a small suggested donation. Swimmers and boaters eat free when they show their swim cap or baseball hat.
Women Swimmin' on facebook
Hospicare on facebook
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Kayak Raffle to Benefit Women Swimmin' for Hospicare
Once again, Puddledockers is donating a brand new kayak to Hospicare to raffle off at Women Swimmin'! We are grateful for their support. The kayak is a T 505 PriLite (thermoformed plastic) and is a well equipped, fast kayak ready for open waters. Ample storage space with convenient deck-hatches and a relaxed seating position make this boat ready for tours on rivers and lakes.
Raffle tickets went on sale Monday, May 16 and cost $5 each, or five tickets for $20. Included with the kayak is a Balanced Wing Rudder, a Sawyer Bent Shaft Carbon Fiber shaft with a Laminate Wood High Angle Blade, and a MTI MAYA (or similar) Lifevest. The total package has a retail value of $2383.00.
Raffle tickets can be purchased at Hospicare, 172 E. King Road, at Puddledockers, 704 ½ West Buffalo Street, and at the Women Swimmin' event at Ithaca Yacht Club on August 13. For more information about the raffle or the event, call 607-272-0212.
Click here for more information about the kayak.
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Save the Dates!
June dates include:
- Mindfulness Practice - Wednesdays 7:30-9:00 PM
- Women Singin' - June 7; 5:30-7:00 PM
- Evening Grief Group - June 1 and 15; 5:30-7:00 PM
- Tuesday Lunch Group - June 14; 12:00 PM
- Wednesday Breakfast Group - June 29; 8:30 AM
For more information on any of the above groups or events, please call 607-272-0212, or visit our web site to download a PDF of our current calendar.
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Our
mission is to bring medical
expertise and compassionate, respectful care to
people and their loved ones at any stage of a life-threatening illness,
and to
provide information and education about advanced illness, dying and
bereavement
to the entire community.
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Sites We Like
DeathWise:Changing the Conversation about DeathThis site offers a number of online tools to help people with estate planning, power of attorney, healthcare decisions and more. Dying WellThis web site was created by a long time palliative care physician and advocate for better end-of-life care to share resources with people facing life-limiting illness, their families, and their caregivers. |
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Illuminations
Hospicare & Palliative Care Services will host its annual summer memorial event, Illuminations, at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 9 at the Nina K. Miller Hospicare Center, 172 East King Road, Ithaca.
On this evening the pathways that wind through the Hospicare gardens will glow with luminarias, each dedicated to the memory of someone who has died.
The event will include live music, poetry by Michelle Courtney Berry, candlelight on the pond, and refreshments, creating a gentle time of remembrance and of coming together in community. Refreshments will be served at 7:30 pm; the program begins at 8:00 pm.
Luminarias may be purchased in memory of a loved one for $25 each. No contribution is required to attend the event.
All are welcome.
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Donate
Help terminally ill people spend the end of their lives peacefully and without pain.
Our Wish List
Items to make patients and their families more comfortable.
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Contact us:
607.272.0212
www.hospicare.org
info@hospicare.org
 Hospicare Women Swimmin |
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