Memory Bears Help Grieving Families

When a loved one passes away, we are faced with many painful decisions.  Deciding what to do with clothing and other belongings they have left behind is one of them.  Every item sparks a special memory you had with that person.  It is a very personal and emotional sentiment.

The Medi Hospice volunteer departments in Fredericksburg and Charlottesville are very excited to have a new program for patients and their families. This program is designed to incorporate home based volunteers who sew and involve them in hospice through the creation of 'memory bears'. These precious bears will be made with loving care by these volunteers for families of those whose loved ones were cared for by our hospice program. 

Memory Bears are teddy bears made from special articles of clothing,

uniforms, fur coats, blankets or other item that holds a special place in your heart.

It could be a loved one’s favorite sweatshirt, jeans and t-shirt, suit and tie, or a well loved house coat.

The Memory Bear is one way to keep the essence of their loved one close by, assisting them through their grief. While many people automatically realize how comforting these bears would be to grieving children, we also find that they are helpful to older adults who appreciate the memorial tribute and connection to their deceased family and spouses. Watch the video below to hear the testimony of a grieving woman and her memory bear.

Memory Bears and Quilts are comforting family keepsakes.  It is a special way to cherish those you will never forget. 

 Each bear is unique because it is handcrafted from an article of clothing from the deceased patient that will be selected and given to us by a loved one. 

Once arrangements are made to obtain materials the projects will be completed in the volunteer's own home. We will hand deliver completed bears to the grieving family. 

 “Memory Bears”

I know we still have memories,

Though I’m no longer here.

By sewing this material,

I become part of cheer.

Place me on your pillow,

Or set me on a shelf;

And when you feel discouraged

I will do my best to help.

When you see me, please remember

all the good times that we shared.

I’ve been sent here on a mission

Because I know you really cared.

Hug me, hold me, and love me,

Share with me your prayer.

Squeeze me oh so tight,

For I’m your ‘Memory Bear’. 

Whether you've had a family connection to hospice care and want to give back, or are interested in learning more about how to support and comfort those in their final days, I encourage you to explore this truly rewarding volunteer opportunity. Medi Hospice has volunteer opportunities in your area.

If you can sew, knit or crochet and desire to offer your skill and contribute to comforting the grieving then you can be a hospice volunteer! Projects will be completed in your own home. We will deliver to you all the materials you need to create a lasting and beautiful memory bear.

 Please call our Fredericksburg office and ask for the Volunteer Coordinator (540) 361-7696.

I have been a hospice volunteer coordinator for 6 1/2  years and while I love my job and find a great deal of personal satisfaction from it, I am always struck by people's odd responses when they discover what I do for a living. Volunteers get most of those same reactions whenever they choose to reveal to any friend or acquaintance that they are a hospice volunteer. There are a range of responses, most of which are dead wrong or at best ill-informed. I’d like to present, and refute, what I consider the seven most pernicious myths about hospice.

 “To volunteer with the dying, that is SO SAD! How can you stand it!”

While sadness is always a factor in many things in life, it is no more a factor in hospice than in many other things. In fact, you could try telling people that your little selfish secret is that you volunteer to rehearse for your own end of life!  Also, there is great care, love and even humor in serving our patients. You are never more your self, your true self, than when you at the last. The joy of a 100^th Birthday celebration with over 60 guests is something to cherish and celebrate! 

 “You mean you’re there when someone who’s not even a relative or friend is dying?”

If I were to train as a death doula, I may well be at a person’s actual death. However, in nearly all cases, hospice volunteers are not present at the time of their patient’s death, unless they have specifically asked the person and the family if they may attend the dying. There are specially trained hospice volunteers who are known as 'vigil volunteers" and they re expecting to be present when a person passes away. It could be considered an honor, not an ordeal.

 

 “Why do these people need volunteers?”

Although hospice care inherently includes a team (which is made up of doctors, nurses, social workers, hospice aides, spiritual support chaplains, and other skilled professionals) , it is the only Medicare/Medicaid funded service that REQUIRES volunteer service be provided. From the patient’s and family’s viewpoint, a volunteer is a non-paid, non-professional who has no legal, financial or even moral obligation to attend to a dying person. So volunteering is a true gift, as much as donating blood. And let’s be clear that the patient nearly always, and the family usually, become very aware of and grateful for that gift.

 “To be a volunteer, you have to go to a hospital. I don’t like hospitals.”

A small percentage of hospice patients are in a hospital for any time. The vast majority are cared for in their own homes, and a much smaller percentage in nursing homes. Visiting with a hospice patient in his or her home is a wonderful way to get to know them well, and to assist them in continuing, as much as they are able, to do those things that have given them joy all their lives – music, art, movies, reading, even games.

     

“Isn’t hospice only for terminal cancer patients? I’m scared of cancer!”

In fact, hospice is for people with any medical condition that an attending physician has certified will probably lead to their death within six months. There are many other terminal diagnoses other than cancer. Truth is though - you cannot 'catch' cancer - it is not like a cold or a flu virus. 

“If these patients are so sick, isn’t it dangerous to be a volunteer to them?”

That is where good hospice training is a must. Training teaches you how to handle any kind of possibility of contamination. Even more important, training reinforces how to prevent the contamination the patient, which is much more likely. In fact, a very small percentage of hospice patients pose any threat to volunteers or anyone else.

“I think that asking for hospice services is giving up on your life, and I never would want to give up.”

My message to anyone thinking about volunteering for hospice, or, even more, anyone who has a loved one who could benefit from hospice is: HOSPICE IS THE FINAL GIFT OF LOVE YOU CAN GIVE. You can give it to your loved one, and also to yourself. Why is that so? Because a well-run hospice program will provide the entire range of medical, social, and even psychological/emotional supports needed by the patient in one place. No more coping with up to a dozen different provider organizations, no more running around to office after office, no more one group not knowing what the other group is doing. The integrated care team concept of hospice is one of the best assets any patient and family can wish for. Hospice is not about giving up or losing hope. It's about being hopeful and living life to it's fullest no matter what the journey brings.

 Would you consider joining others on their last journey? 

We are actively growing our hospice volunteer program and we would like you to know that if you have a desire to become involving in making a difference in the lives of the dying we will give you that opportunity! Medi Hospice is located in Fredericksburg, Chesapeake, Charlottesville, Richmond, Petersburg and Manassas, Virginia. Each office has a Volunteer Coordinator who will meet and discuss with you our volunteer opportunities. Listed below are the contact numbers should you desire to join our team.

Fredericksburg (540)361-7696

Chesapeake (757) 420-7190

Charlottesville (434) 244-0890

Richmond (804) 282-4301

Petersburg (804) 732-0108

Manassas (703) 392-7100

People often ask me how I became a hospice volunteer. For the record, nobody is more surprised than I am. You know how some people can walk into a patient’s room, plump pillows, and make all the right comments? Years ago, I was not that person. I never really felt comfortable visiting sick people. Working in the healthcare arena seemed depressing. Besides, I had made a conscious decision to become an educator when I was in fifth grade. Unlike many who have chosen hospice volunteering, my motivation had no connection with professional choice or with anyone close to me dying, although I had experienced that several times.

 

So, how did I get into this situation? I was principal of an urban public school located in an area of high poverty, crime, drugs, prostitution, and homelessness. Major problems of others clamored for space on my always-crowded plate. Over a three-year period, I was thrust into life-threatening predicaments of two men I didn’t know well who were suffering with AIDS, an infectious disease of the immune system caused by the HIV virus. They were my introduction to serious care giving of the terminally ill.

The first man, who was in total denial about his condition, also had dementia that included daily harassment by invisible people. After he died, I sighed, thinking that scenario would never happen to me again. A year later, the second man showed up. Both men lacked strong support systems, which were crucial during the 1990’s when infected people were ostracized and dying quickly. My mother warned me to stay away from them or I might “catch” it.

But I didn’t stay away. I served as these men’s hospice volunteer without even realizing I was one. It just made good sense, and we all benefited from the experience. I discovered significant layers of myself that I never knew. After my involvement with the men ended, I ran into a friend who said she was performing service as a hospice volunteer. Her description of what she did sounded very familiar. A few weeks later, I read a newspaper ad about hospice volunteer training classes. I decided to get certified to do what I had already been doing and become even more prepared if somebody else ill showed up.

                                                        

As an official hospice volunteer, I have had many terminally ill patients show up. End-of-life care for millions of aging baby boomers continues to challenge our healthcare system and society. More people are needed to dig into wells of themselves and provide solutions to these growing concerns. Consider becoming a hospice volunteer. Various assignments are available to accommodate your personal comfort zone. Your service as a hospice volunteer can be a win-win experience, even if you didn’t plan to be one.

Adapted from a story by Frances Shani Parker is an elder care consultant and author of Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes. She blogs at the Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog. 

We need you! Medi Hospice is actively seeking caring, compassionate people to join our growing, vibrant hospice volunteer program. We serve patients throughout the greater Fredericksburg region, including Caroline, Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George, Westmoreland and Orange counties.

Our volunteers offer friendly visits, companionship, caregiver respite support, musical visits, pet therapy visits, administrative support to our office, bereavement administrative support and they visit in homes, nursing homes and assisted living centers.

Volunteers are crucial to the balanced service and support our hospice offers to patients and families. 

Won't you consider becoming a hospice volunteer? 

Call today to the Medi Hospice Volunteer Coordinator 540-361-7696

We will answer any questions or concerns you may have and if you decide to pursue volunteering we will provide you with a free, comprehensive training to inform and equip you for an enriching volunteer experience.

April 2012 is National Volunteer Appreciation Month!

WHAT IS NATIONAL VOLUNTEER MONTH? 

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, a time to recognize the ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things through service.

Celebrating People in Action captures the meaning of this signature month: Honoring the people who dedicate themselves to taking action by caring for others in their communities. 


Established in 1974 by former President, Richard Nixon, National Volunteer Week has grown exponentially in scope each year since, drawing the support and endorsement of all subsequent U.S. presidents, governors, mayors and other respected elected officials. The entire month of April has now been designated as Volunteer Appreciation Month, a time set aside to honor those who give of their time and energy to serve a greater cause. 


Hospice volunteers are very unique individuals who have a deep sense of compassion for those who are terminally ill. They give selflessly to our patients. 
They hold a hand that is in need of gentle touch. 
They read a book that tired eyes cannot see. 
They sit at the bedside bringing a smile and a quiet presence to one who needs both.
 When there is soup to heat the volunteer prepares; 
when there is fresh air to breath the volunteer escorts the patient to the window or porch; 
when the day calls for a joke or poem the hospice volunteer complies. 


They are flexible, punctual, reliable and intuitive.


They give from their heart, willingly, openly, without restraint.


HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS ARE WONDERFUL, GIVING PEOPLE!


AND WE APPRECIATE THEIR GRACIOUSNESS AND LOVE!! 

Hospice volunteers come from many backgrounds and have a range of life experiences.  They are male, female, young, old, business people, retail clerks, truck drivers, stay at home moms, retirees and more.

Regardless of their backgrounds, hospice volunteers share the common bonds of being compassionate and caring. And perhaps more than anything else, they want to make a difference that really matters.

If I can stop one heart from breaking;

 I shall not live in vain.

If I can ease one life the aching,

 or cool one pain,

or help one fainting robin onto his nest again;

I shall not live in vain.

-Emily Dickinson

National Volunteer Month is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their community. It’s about demonstrating to the nation that by working together, in unison, we have the fortitude to meet our challenges and accomplish our goals. National Volunteer Month is about taking action, encouraging individuals and their respective communities to be at the center of social change—discovering and actively demonstrating their collective power to foster positive transformation. National Volunteer Month presents an opportunity for individuals, families, nonprofit organizations and government entities alike to celebrate the ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things through service. 

Hospice and palliative care volunteers work in concert with the rhythms of the season, helping people recall, retell, reflect, remember and celebrate all of the seasons of their lives.

HOW DO I BECOME VOLUNTEER? 

At Medi Home Hospice we are welcoming any compassionate, caring person to become a volunteer! There are many opportunities to volunteer in your community as we have patients throughout north central Virginia. We have opportunities ranging from companionship care to musical ministry to pet therapy, to office support and bereavement support.

If you have any questions or are interested in becoming a hospice volunteer, please call

Karen Robinson, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator

at 540-361-7696
or email kerobinson@msa-corp.com

WE WANT TO THANK ALL OUR DEDICATED HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS!

YOU ARE PRECIOUS PEOPLE MAKING A DIFFERENCE DAY BY DAY!

In Fredericksburg, Virginia there is a choice when it comes to selecting a hospice care provider.

 Many people are not aware that there are 4 medical based hospices offering services in this region. Medi Hospice has been in operation for 11 years and is well established in Fredericksburg and the surrounding counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, Westmoreland, Caroline, Orange and Fauquier. 

If you or a loved one is referred to hospice services please ask your doctor to give you a choice. America is a land where a great deal of value is placed on ‘choice’. We want to choose our doctors and our hospitals. We want to choose which lab to have our tests in. It makes sense that we would have the opportunity to choose which hospice journeys with us toward our end of life.

If you would like to consider all your hospice options please ask your primary physician to provide the information that you need to make a decision. You are entitled to choose Medi Hospice even if your doctor does not ‘suggest’ us. A simple phone call to our office and we will contact your physician on your behalf to begin the process of admitting you OR YOUR LOVED ONE to Medi Hospice.

CALL 540-361-7696

 

 This recent letter to the editor was published in

Fredericksburg’s Free Lance- Star

Heartfields, Medi Home Hospice really cared…

With all the worries, uncertainties, and changes in this world, there is one group of dedicated people who have remained a constant source of comfort.

I am the proud daughter of Alex Palenscar. My dad was a resident at Heartfields Assisted Living for the past 16 months. He died on March 4.

Never in my life have I felt such an outpouring of love, concern, and kindness as I got from the staff at Heartfields, and also from Medi Home Health and Hospice. Not only did they take care of my Dad, but they also took care of me when I needed it most.

Thank you, Heartfields and Medi Home Health and Hospice. I will never forget you!

Mimi Marshall

Stafford

Date published: 3/14/2012

 

Medi Home Hospice is about helping an individual and their family share the best days possible as they deal with a life-limiting illness. It’s about adding quality of life, and helping you live those days as you choose. Our hospice care services provide a specialized program of care provided for patients and their families who are facing life-limiting illnesses.  This specialized program and the care you receive is coordinated by a team of professionals. Our hospice team consists of:

v  Patients' Personal Physicians

v  Registered Nurses

v  Home Health Aides

v  Social Workers

v  Chaplains

v  Bereavement Coordinators

v  Trained Volunteers

v  Speech, Physical, and Occupational Therapists

How is hospice care provided?

Hospice is provided by a special team of caregivers chosen to meet the unique needs of you and your family.  A nurse provides care and instructions on medications, assess symptoms, and communicate with your physician. A social worker assesses resource needs and provides support to you and your family.  A home health aide provides personal care and some homemaker services. A volunteer can offer companionship, run errands, or even just sit and read to you. A chaplain is available for spiritual support if desired.

How much does it cost? Who pays for hospice?

Medicare, Medicaid and VA benefits pay for hospice care with no cost to you or your family. Most private insurance companies also cover hospice services.  We provide care to all individuals who qualify for hospice regardless of their ability to pay for care.  The hospice benefit pays for items related to your hospice diagnoses such as medications, oxygen medical supplies and equipment (i.e. hospital beds, wheel chairs and bedside commodes).

Is hospice just for people with cancer?

Hospice can serve anyone who is in the end stages of a life-limiting illness such as heart failure, lung disease, liver failure, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, AIDS, ALS — or if there is a sudden decline in health with no specific reason. If you are tired of taking trips to the hospital, have chosen not to pursue treatment, or your doctor has exhausted all options for a cure, you may qualify for help from hospice care.

Where can hospice take care of me?

Hospice takes care of you in the comfort of your home. Hospice can also care for you in a personal care home, assisted living facility, in the hospital (under special arrangements) or in a nursing home.

What if I change my mind?

The decision to receive care from hospice is yours.  You have the right to discontinue hospice at any time, or change to another type of care. You also have the right to choose the hospice agency you prefer.

Will my doctor still be my doctor?

Yes, your doctor will still be directing your care.  We also have a medical director on staff that is available for consultation.  Providing quality care to you and your loved ones is our #1 goal. We value the trust our patients, families and physicians have in our staff.

Can I still go to the hospital?

Yes, you can return to the hospital for care.  Hospice will assist in making the transition as smooth as possible.

What support is offered to my loved ones?

Hospice will continue to provide support to your family through mailings and phone calls to see how they are doing. A grief counselor is available to provide individual counseling and support if needed.  

How can I receive hospice services?

A phone call to our office from you or your family will start the process.  We will be glad to talk with you about your needs and how hospice can help. A doctor’s order is required before services can be started. We will be glad to call your doctor and make these arrangements for you.

 If a doctor recommends hospice for you or a loved one, ask about

Medi Hospice.

We are here to serve you, providing high quality medical care as well as loving compassionate  volunteers to support you.

Remember you have a CHOICE! 

If after reading this you would like to become a part of the hospice movement for life, we would welcome you as a hospice volunteer.

               

Call the Volunteer Coordinator

Medi Hospice Volunteer Department

540-361-7696

Chaplains are invaluable to the Hospice Team: Are you a person with a ministerial background?

Part time Chaplain Position Available

Our hospice is currently seeking to add a part time Chaplain to our team of wonderful caregivers. The Chaplain would be a part of the Medi Hospice Manassas office and would minister to our patients in the Northern Virginia area. As a member of the interdisciplinary team the Chaplain is responsible for the provision of spiritual support to patients and families in keeping with the patient/family’s desire and belief system. Additionally they would be responsible for implementing and coordinating all activities relating to the spiritual aspect of the patient care program (the spiritual component of the interdisciplinary team consistent with agency policies and procedures).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHAPLAIN INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

· Provides direct spiritual support to patients/families.

· Works with staff, clergy, and community groups to enhance their sensitivity to the spiritual concerns of patients/families experiencing terminal illness and loss.

· Participates in patient conference by exploring and assessing the potential spiritual needs of patients/families and reporting on services as indicated.

· Provides bereavement follow-up services as defined in procedure.

· Makes contact with clergy or appropriate representatives or patients/families as indicated.

· Develops and maintain a resource group of clergy to whom specific aspects of spiritual care may be delegated.

· Arranges for on-call availability of chaplain services.

· Ensures compliance with State and Federal regulations.

· Develops a spiritual plan of care.

· Other assignments as may be appropriate.

DEGREE OF TRAVEL, DISRUPTION TO ROUTINE, OVERTIME

· Office meetings, patient visitation and frequent travel while promoting community awareness.
· Must have reliable transportation and agency-required liability insurance.
· Moderate disruption to routine. Occasional after hour’s meetings.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Ecumenical by Ayabi

· Graduate of accredited seminary or school of theology, or appropriate certification in hospital or pastoral ministry.

· Ability to be open, flexible and ecumenical.

· Experience in working with patients/families dealing with life threatening illness and death.

· Valid Driver’s license

· Ability to read and interpret documents. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of physicians, physician’s staff, clients and employees of the organization.

· Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra.

· Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret and deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The physical demands/work environments of this job are listed on a separate, attached page. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


This organization reserves the right to revise or add to your duties as the need arises. This list may not include the entire job duties you may be asked to perform, but identifies the primary essential functions of your job.


This job description does not constitute nor should it be interpreted to create a written or implied contract of employment.

If you are a training clergyman, minister or chaplain would you consider this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those who are on their last journey? Please email  sscherrer@msa-corp.com and find out how you can join our hospice team!

Hospice volunteers are also valued and honored as important contributors to our hospice ministry. Although my focus today was not on volunteering in hospice, I am still a Volunteer Coordinator who desires to offer compassionate, caring people the opportunity to befriend and comfort those of our patients in need of friendly, companionable visitors. 

Contact the Medi Hospice Volunteer Department@540-361-7696 if you would like to know more about becoming a hospice volunteer!