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COMFORT
“We can’t remove the stress and strain associated with the VOLUNTEERS:
end of life, but we can help minimize it by providing holistic THE HEART OF HOSPICE
support to caregivers and families,” says Cindy Hill, Director
of Pine Pointe, Navicent Health. “Our goal is to make this time Helping families through difficult times takes a team
more manageable so families can find closure and healing.” effort. At Pine Pointe, Navicent Health volunteers play
a vital role in that team.
WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT
Hospice volunteers attend special training to
A primary care provider or specialist may recommend that you prepare them to help with nonmedical tasks. Those
or a loved one consider hospice care in the case of a six-month may include:
prognosis. »» Reading with hospice patients and their loved ones
»» Writing or reading letters
“As physicians, we need to make sure that families understand »» Helping with small errands and chores
the limits of our current medical technology and then give them »» Providing companionship and support
time to come to terms with life-limiting situations at their own
pace,” Dr. Scheetz says. “Hospice allows patients to face the IF YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER AND CAN
end of their lives with dignity and respect, not connected to COMMIT TO HELPING AT LEAST THREE
machines, but surrounded by family and friends in a comfortable, HOURS A WEEK, CALL 478-633-5681 TO
quiet environment. It is not about giving up. It’s about being GET INVOLVED. INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP
intentional.” VOLUNTEERS WELCOME.
If you or your loved one makes the decision to begin utilizing
hospice, professionals provide services in the setting that makes
the most sense for your family. This may include an assisted
living facility, a patient’s home, a skilled nursing facility or a
specialized hospice unit.
FINDING A FIT and we tailor support to meet each loved one’s emotional and
spiritual needs.”
Different hospice providers may have agreements with local
assisted living facilities or skilled nursing facilities and may have Available services include individual counseling, literature and
different types of professionals on staff. So research is critical support groups. Families also have the option to observe an honor
when you are trying to find a hospice service that meets your ceremony one year after a loved one has passed.
personal goals and preferences.
“Unmanaged grief can have a huge impact on a person’s health,”
“I encourage families to find facilities that have hospice- and Hill says. “Our bereavement program can help address the unseen
palliative-certified physicians as decision makers,” Dr. Scheetz impacts of loss.”
says. “It is also important to make sure that the nurses have years
of experience with hospice and that the hospice provider has an At Pine Pointe, Navicent Health, a bereavement bear named Skyler
inpatient unit available.” offers additional support for children who have lost a loved one.
EASING THE TRANSITION “Skyler is a wise bear who tells kids that it’s OK to be sad and
cry,” Hill says. “Individuals who are about to pass away may give
Pine Pointe, Navicent Health provides bereavement counseling children in the family one of these bears as a gift and a memento.
to families before their loss and for 13 months after a loved Between 300 and 400 bears help kids in our community every year.”
one dies.
IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE IS FACING A LIFE-LIMITING
“After the passing of a loved one, our bereavement support ILLNESS, CONSIDER PINE POINTE, NAVICENT HEALTH
program helps families process their grief,” says Jenny Bonds, RN, FOR YOUR HOSPICE NEEDS. TO LEARN MORE, VISIT
Intake Admissions Manager, Pine Pointe, Navicent Health. “Our WWW.NAVICENTHEALTH.ORG/PINEPOINTE OR CALL
full-time grief counselor stays in contact with family members, 478-633-5660.
Nobody is born knowing how to navigate the end of life. In fact, we as
human beings do everything in our power to avoid that. Hospice is a
concept of care that can make the experience a little less painful.
—Cindy Hill, Director of Pine Pointe, Navicent Health
SPRING 2018 | navicenthealth.org 13
