Help celebrate Hospicare's 30th anniversary with a handcrafted pottery mug for sale now at 15 STEPS on the Ithaca commons. Made in America, these beautiful mugs come in a variety of shapes and colors--all with the distinctive Hospicare logo. We've been told that coffee, tea and other hot delights taste even better when drunk out of one of these mugs. Try it for yourself.

100% of the proceeds will go to Hospicare.   

This is an opportunity to connect with other men who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Local Therapist Alan Ledet, LMFT, will facilitate an informed discussion that will provide understanding and insight on how men grieve.  

The group "How Men Grieve" will be held June 13, 6:00-8:00 p.m., at Hospicare. Free and open to the public, but please register by June 10 with Donna George, LMSW, FT, (dgeorge@hospicare.org) or call 272-0212.

Hospicare, and other hospices across the country, have been feeling the effects of the recent budget cuts and discussion about curtailing government spending. Over the next ten years we will be seeing significant changes to our reimbursement rates--in fact these cuts have already begun to affect Hospicare.

But there is something that can be done to ensure hospice services continue to be available to all in Tompkins County and across the nation. Recently legislators in both the House and Senate have reintroduced the Hospice Evaluation and Legitimate Payment (HELP) Act.

"Our priority is two-fold with the HELP Act," says New York Representative Tom Reed, one of the co-sponsors in the House, "to make sure [hospices] are able to keep their doors open and ensure our loved ones are provided with the same high-quality care patients and families depend on."

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization has created a petition, asking senators to co-sponsor the HELP Act. Help the act gain momentum by signing the petition to your senators asking them to support the act today.

There are many forms of dementia that can affect people at the end of life. Often this type of disease can be disrupting and painful for family members as they struggle to communicate with their loved one. One tactic that can be very helpful in relating to dementia patients is to offer a positive response no matter how the conversation unfolds.

Hospice and Community Care offers these helpful suggestions for making someone feel special even when conversation has become difficult because of dementia issues.

Consider using the following "I care" statements:

• This is so relaxing, sitting here with you.
• I enjoy your company so much.
• That's great advice; I'll have to use that.

• Women Singin': 6/4, 5:30-7:00 p.m. 
• Evening Bereavement Support Group: 6/5 & 6/19, 5:30-7:00 PM
• Tuesday Lunch Group: 6/11, Noon 
• Wednesday Breakfast Group: 6/26, 8:30 AM
• Women Swimmin' Boater Registration: on-going through July 31 
• Illuminations: 6/6, 7:30 p.m.
• How Men Grieve: 6/13, 6:00-8:00 p.m. For men only.    
• Hospicare's 30th Anniversary Celebration: 11/8, 6:00-9:00 p.m.   

For more information on any of the above groups or events, please call 607-272-0212, or visit our Events page to download a PDF of our current calendar.