communityinsight
Journeys
supportive environment to discuss
feelings openly and honestly through
creative and positive play. Camp
through
Hope offers 41 children a free two-
day overnight camp to facilitate the
grief process. Positive results are seen
Hospice
through grief exercises and fun activi-
ties such as crafts, kayaking, swim-
by Diane Carr
ming, and canoeing.
Judy Powers, Executive Director
uesthoff Hospice and
of Wuesthoff Hospice and Palliative
Care, has challenging aspirations,
Palliative Care creates “To help patients live the most they
a compassionate and
can for the time they have, help them
discover what is most important to
supportive network for people them, and sort out what their most
with life-limiting illnesses and their
important goals are.” One beauti-
ful example of this is a woman who
family. The word hospice may wanted to live long enough to attend
bring up feelings of apprehen-
her granddaughters wedding. The
also offers tremendous emotional and staff, who Judy says is, “The most
sion, fear, or sadness; however, spiritual support to the patient and
wonderful staff in the world,” took
the word actually originates from
family and if the patient is in a period the extra effort and made it happen.
of crisis, hospice provides 24-hour They brought oxygen and a bed to
the Middle Ages referring to a care in the home.
the church and with a nurse by her
safe place for travelers to stop for
When more intensive, skilled nurs- side, the grandmother watched her
ing care or respite stay is required, granddaughter walk down the aisle.
comfort and refreshment before
the Hospice Care Center offers a 12 What sets us apart from other
continuing their journey. Perhaps it
bed facility. Each patient is treated hospices is we are non-profi t,” shares
round-the-clock with the utmost Judy. “And we take any patient,
has become an appropriate meta-
respect in preparation for a dignifi ed homeless and indigent as well. No
phor as hospice is now known for
death. This releases the family from one is turned away” As so much of
worrying about medical care of the their work is charity, Natural Awaken-
creating a safe place of transition,
patient, allowing them to focus on ing’s Healthy Living Expo is raising
enabling patients to remain at
being with their loved one. Patient money for hospice with a 50/50
rooms are tastefully decorated, and drawing. For a small donation you
home during their end-of-life ill-
a dining room, children’s playroom, can help families in need and pos-
ness, relatively pain free, with fam-
TV room, and library are available for sibly win the prize. Readers are
patients and guests. The Care Center encouraged to support Wuesthoff
ily and friends by their side to live
is currently located on the 4th fl oor Hospice’s greatest needs through
the rest of life as fully as possible.
of Wuesthoff Medical Center and volunteerism and donations.
plans are in motion for a free-stand- Judy would like people to know,
Most patients are seen in their ing hospice house in Rockledge. “Our mission is to serve the com-
home environment and receive a care Grief support specialists meet with munity. Our highest priority is patient
plan developed by a multidisciplinary the patient and family to help them care and family care is part of our
team that includes a medical director, cope with the diffi culties of facing a service.” Explaining why she works
nurse, home health aid, social servic- life threatening illness. The special- with hospice Judy says, “It’s a calling
es specialist, chaplain, youth special- ists also provide continuing support to serve. To see that smile or relieve a
ist, and grief support specialist. The for family members after the death worry for a patient -- that is the great-
patient’s family and/or friends give of the patient. Ongoing grief support est reward.”
daily care to the patient with regu- groups are available and open to the For more information visit
lar visits and training from hospice community for anyone who has suf-
www.brevardhospice.org call
staff on how to care for the patient, fered a loss. 321-253-2222, or visit booth 304 at
monitor medications, and assist with Children participate in the youth the Healthy Living Expo on Saturday,
physical necessities. Hospice staff program which offers a safe and March 14th at BCC in Melbourne.
20
Brevard/Indian River
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT
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