“Memories, like the corners of my mind…” (The Way We Were)

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By Myra Badorf, Asst. Director of Development, Homeland Hospice

Make plans to join us on Saturday, October 3rd for our 6th Annual 5K and Memory Walk … “it’s the joy we will remember” during a fun and meaningful event.

Over 6 years ago, a group of staff and board members at Homeland wanted a signature event that would shed a different light on hospice and be an outreach to the surrounding communities we serve.  So, what was initially a competitive 5K run and walk, transitioned last year. The event now includes an endearing Memory Walk, focusing on our patients and the family members we served. The foundation of this event is to remember. It’s for families to remember their loved ones and for us, as an organization, to remember and honor the community and people we are blessed to care for on a daily basis.

The Memory Walk was the brainchild of Brian Medkeff-Rose, Homeland Hospice Bereavement Counselor, to focus on “remembrance” and to use the herb rosemary as the thread. Rosemary is symbolic for remembrance. It comes from Latin meaning “dew of the sea,” because it grows along the rocky coast of the Mediterranean. William Shakespeare references rosemary in several of his plays including Hamlet. Hamlet’s love interest, Ophelia says, “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance, pray for love, remember.”

One of the uplifting and fun activities that all participants were welcome to participate in last year was to take a rosemary plant home and watch it grow.  We will be offering rosemary and remembering opportunities again this year.

What made this event meaningful?

Bereavement counselor, Noelle Valentine shares her thoughts on what made last year’s event so special, “It went right to the heart of what we do. Inviting everyone we have served and walked that end of life journey with enabled us to honor families by adding this inclusive element….”  It is all about love, from our staff to them and from them to their remembered loved one. The Memory walk gives families numerous opportunities, one of which includes supporting an organization that was instrumental in caring for their loved ones. “It also honors their grief and gives them a platform to personally mourn their loved one in a unique and safe environment,” states Noelle.

This event has grown from 113 participants in 2015 to nearly 300 participants in 2019.  Considering Covid-19, every precaution will be taken to ensure the safety of all in attendance by following CDC guidelines. In 2020 we will run and walk at Rossmoyne Business Center, 5000 Ritter Road in Mechanicsburg where there will be ample space to keep distancing and other recommendations in mind. Details on the event and registration are available on our website: www.homelandhospice.org/5K-MemoryWalk.

Combating Loneliness in Seniors

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By Barbara Goll, Community Liaison Educator and Nutritionist

speaking with loved ones on the phoneLoneliness affects more than 42 million older Americans according to the American Psychological Association.  While living alone does not inevitably lead to loneliness, it can be a contributing factor.  Social contact typically decreases with age due to retirement, spouse and friends dying or moving away, lack of mobility and physical limitations.  When an entire peer group is experiencing these naturally occurring changes it is easy to see why there is a decline in the number and quality of relationships as we age.

Loneliness is a very personal experience.

Loneliness comes with different causes and implications for every individual. This makes addressing the problem complex.  Loneliness is a negative emotion defined by the quality and quantity of relationships that we have versus those we long to have.  It is based on an individual’s values, needs, wishes and feelings. Loneliness can create a persistent loop of negative thoughts and feelings that can wear us down and push others away.  “Loneliness is tricky because someone has to tell you their negative emotions,” says Kerstin Gerst Emerson from the Institute of Gerontology. “Diagnosis depends on asking questions, not a blood test or MRI.” It is a subjective feeling of social separation.  When one does not feel they have value, self-worth or a purpose to their lives, it can lead to loneliness and depression.   Loneliness can be defining and devastating to the lives of the elderly.

I realized the devastation of loneliness when my mother made a comment after a holiday family gathering stating that she felt alone and not a part of conversations.  She also felt that what she might have to say was not important and that the conversations she had with others were just small talk.  At the nursing home where I worked, I saw the pain on residents faces as they told me how lonely they were feeling, even though they were participating in a group activity at the time.  Loneliness is personal and these feelings are all valid.

Loneliness has a harmful impact on mental and physical health.

When loneliness becomes a lifestyle, research shows it can cause depression, risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, weakened immune system, anxiety and dementia.  These are not issues to be ignored. The Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience suggests that the connections with loneliness and health risks lie in harmful lifestyle choices such as eating poorly, inactivity and smoking.

What can be done to combat loneliness in seniors?

As family, caregivers and community members we can help our seniors become less lonely, more engaged. Here are some helpful suggestions:

  • Encourage seniors to express themselves while being a good listener. Ask them to tell you more about past interests and activities.  Try to rekindle and adapt past interests and hobbies to fit their current abilities.
  • Use information learned from inquiring conversations to create an individual plan to decrease loneliness. Be creative with ideas, things offered in your community, clubs, and groups.  Be prepared to nudge a little bit outside of their comfort zone.
  • Foster relationships between generations through visits and technology such as email and Facetime or Skype. Help grandchildren learn wisdom, childhood stories and family history from grandparents.  Have them show grandparents how to use their cell phone or computer more easily or help them correspond with friends and distant family.
  • Visit as often as possible and engage in meaningful conversation. Give your full attention and really listen and hear what they have to say. Take a walk, read, sing or listen to favorite songs or play a board game. If unable to visit often you can write, call or use technology.
  • Seek out and attend activities of interest with the senior, especially for the first few times. Local senior centers and Area Agency on Aging are a good place to start.
  • Let seniors teach you something. When a former art professor moved into the nursing home where I was working, I empowered him to teach a basic sketch class to the residents.  This brought worth and value to his life as well as the other residents lives who learned how to draw.  Older individuals love to pass on knowledge.
  • Take seniors out to restaurants, Sunday church service, a movie, to visit with a friend, shopping or a drive around the neighborhood or out into the country. Fresh air and a change of scenery can do wonders.
  • Help facilitate connections with old friends that may not be able to visit anymore through letters, in-person visits, or emails.
  • Encourage seniors to volunteer. Volunteering can be very rewarding and seniors have a lot of skills and wisdom to contribute to their community.  This is a great social connection and adds purpose, worth and fulfillment to their lives. Volunteer search sites include:  volunteermatch.org, rsvpcapreg.org and createthegood.aarp.org
  • Take a class such as exercise, computer or other educational topic of interest. Many community colleges offer free lifetime learning classes for seniors.  It is a great way to create new connections.
  • Community planners and local authorities must take action and create policy that places emphasis on healthy aging. Allow communities to support our older adults and the aging process as well as those living with dementia. Dementia Friendly America and Age Friendly Cities are initiatives that focus on communities working together to support our older Americans.

Reducing loneliness in all generations is derived from strong and loving relationships we have with others.  Let’s try to help our seniors create and preserve these relationships throughout their lives and show them how valuable they truly are.

Barbara Goll is a Community Education Liaison and Nutritionist for Homeland at Home. Her passion is educating and helping people attain a higher quality of life while aging in place. Goll is a valued member of Homeland’s community outreach team offering a variety of short talks on nutrition and age-related issues, including her “My Reflections” workshop to help you to think through many end-of-life care decisions. She has presented at 50 Plus Expo’s, civic organizations, community support groups, senior centers, aging forums and more. Homeland at Home offers Hospice, HomeHealth and HomeCare.

The Value of Being A Hospice Volunteer

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By Lewis E. Silverman

My father-in-law died three years ago in June. The final weeks leading up to his passing were particularly challenging in terms of providing for his needs. Thankfully, my wife and I were able to find and engage the services of an area hospice. I came away with a deep appreciation of the passion and commitment that it takes to work for a hospice – not only as a paid caregiver, i.e., nurse, social worker, but also as a volunteer. It was through that experience that I was lead to become a hospice volunteer.

To be an effective hospice volunteer, one must have a genuine desire to give comfort, love and care to patients and their families during the end of life period. As a volunteer, I am acutely aware that my words, actions, and deeds will have a tremendous impact on the lives of the patients I am serving.

In order to do my job correctly, I must clearly understand and remain cognizant of my actions. It is not about me. The “I factor” must be removed from the equation. Once that is understood, we are better equipped and prepared to serve those who are in need.

Our presence is aimed at providing the most comfortable and compassionate end of life experience possible. Our value cannot be overstated. As volunteers, we are looked at as ordinary members of the community. For patients, families, and friends, this provides an extremely high comfort level. Because of that relationship, oftentimes we connect with patients on a deep, personal level. It is through this connection that we are able to provide insight to other care team members regarding the overall impact of the care that is being provided. Because we are viewed as “one of them,” patients and their families will sometimes share bits of information that they might be hesitant to share with other members of the care team.

A part of what makes our presence valuable is the unique life perspective and personality that we provide. There are similarities among us that serve as a true indicator of our effectiveness:

  1. We have an abundance of compassion towards those who are on the end-of-life journey.
  2. We have a deep-seeded respect for the life they have led.
  3. We have a clear understanding of our personal limits. We are there to listen to them and not make it about us.
  4. We have the ability to listen and be supportive regardless of what we see and hear.

The role of a hospice volunteer is not a bed of roses. However, what we experience will last a lifetime. It will enrich not only our lives, but all those who we encounter through our efforts. The kindness and hard work that we share will bring peace to our patients while planting the seeds of purpose and value in our own lives.

So, what are you waiting for?

Complete the online volunteer application form right now, download a volunteer application form and mail/email to us, or contact Laurie Murry, Volunteer Coordinator, at 717-221-7890.

Healthy Choices, Healthy Brains

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By Barbara Goll, Community Education Liaison and Nutritionist

For most of us, Alzheimer’s disease is not a topic we like to think about or discuss. We fear the word and diagnosis when we hear it. This doesn’t have to be our perception of the illness. June is Alzheimer’s disease and Brain Awareness Month. It’s perfect time to better understand how eating for a healthy life impacts brain health. Eating for your brain will help you achieve peak performance in every part of your life.

Most individuals worry they have Alzheimer’s disease the moment they notice problems with their memory. Like any disease, cognitive impairment develops over years, with lifestyle choices directly impacting our brain. Our brain becomes a product of what we eat, how we move and manage stress, our quality of sleep, social connections and how we challenge our memory.

According to 2020 statistics, eight million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease. One in ten people age 65 and over have Alzheimer’s disease, and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the US. There is currently no cure for this progressive disease, and medications approved by the FDA do not slow down the disease but only offer some temporary help with symptoms.

Scientists believe lifestyle changes and nutritional therapy offer the best hope to decrease the risk for Alzheimer’s and many other chronic diseases. Lifestyle changes, known as functional medicine, delve into the root causes of health problems instead of offering prescriptions to mask the systems.

The brain is home to some of the hungriest cells in our body and uses approximately 20 percent (420) of the calories we consume daily. One reason we are both undernourished and overfed is our consumption of the wrong foods for fuel. As Americans, our standard diet puts us in a constant state of inflammation leading to cell dysfunction, destruction, and ultimately disease.

The good news is you can reverse this course at any age and with any diagnosis to sharpen brain function and avoid memory loss. Key to the change is the consumption of nutrient-dense food.

These foods include:

  • Deep green leafy vegetables – at least 1 cup/day
  • Rainbow colored vegetables – at least 3 cups per day
  • Seafood – (2) 5 ounce servings/week (wild caught, cold water)
  • Healthy oils – extra virgin olive, avocado and nut oils (first cold pressing on label)
  • Nuts – 1 to 2 ounces daily (peanuts not included)
  • Avocados – ½ per day
  • Beans – ½ cup per day (black, navy, pinto, kidney, cannellini)
  • Berries – ½ to 1 cup per day (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries)
  • Dark chocolate/cocoa powder – at least 70% cocoa on label, 1 ounce or 2 Tbs. per day
  • Herbs and spices – fresh or dried
  • Red wine – (1-2) 5-ounce glasses per day

It is important to note the brain damaging foods you should avoid.

These foods include:

  • Saturated fats
  • Trans fat
  • Sugar and refined carbohydrates
  • Processed foods

Bon appétit!

 

Barbara Goll, Community Liaison Educator and Nutritionist for Homeland at Home, offers group presentation on brain nutrition as well as many other topics on aging well, end of life decisions, as well as providing a broad overview of our Hospice, HomeHealth and HomeCare services.

To learn more, contact Barbara by emailing or call 717-221-7890.

Cheerleader, Friend and Advocate: Employee Spotlight on Laurie Murry

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laurie murry, volunteer coordinator at homeland hospice

Challenging times can bring out the best or worst in people. Some individuals focus on problems and uncontrollable circumstances, while others find opportunities to share their compassion with others.

Laurie Murry, volunteer coordinator for Homeland Hospice, works to find and spread light in the darkest of times. During COVID-19, her empathy for patients, volunteers and staff has been an inspiration when it is needed most.

In her position as volunteer coordinator, Laurie trains and places hospice volunteers according to their interests and in a manner that accommodates their busy schedules. Homeland Hospice is a nonprofit hospice program that serves communities throughout Central Pennsylvania.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Laurie has found creative ways to connect with patients who are unable to see family and friends because of social distancing. Laurie created a card campaign through Volunteer Match, an online program that engages individuals in volunteer projects. Through the campaign, people were asked to create cards and write uplifting messages to hospice patients.

cards to lift homeland patients' spirits“There are good things happening in this world,” Laurie says. “Sending cards to patients is a great way to lift their spirits while also enabling people to take part in a positive activity during a difficult time.”

Within six hours of posting the volunteer opportunity online, Laurie had heard from families as far away as Hawaii, Florida and California. Many people wanted to engage their children in an uplifting project as a way of teaching about the power of the human spirit during adversity.

“When one door closes, Laurie finds a way to open a window,” says Debbie Klinger, RN, director of Homeland Hospice. “Patients might not be able to see visitors, but Laurie has found a way to make them feel important.”

Laurie’s card campaign was so successful, she had to remove the opportunity from Volunteer Match after a few short hours. Based on the outpouring of support, patients will receive cards over the next several weeks.

The impact of COVID-19 has placed significant burdens and worries on the shoulders of the frontline workers at Homeland Hospice. During this time, Laurie partnered with her friends to create morale booster packages with cards and small gifts for nurses and aides. Recipients of the anonymous gifts were overwhelmed by the show of encouragement and appreciation.

To connect with volunteers who are currently unable to help due to safety precautions, Laurie created a video of the hospice team in their masks with signs of support. The video served to remind volunteers they are appreciated and missed.

“Laurie is always looking for ways to make an impact,” says Myra Badorf, assistant director of development for Homeland Hospice. “We’re grateful for the impact she makes on our lives and those of our patients and volunteers.”

For more information about Homeland Hospice and volunteer opportunities, call (717) 221-7890.