A Home Away from Home

Your Community Hospice since 1980 | Spring 2018 Issue A HOME AWAY FROM HOME “I’ve had a wonderful life. I don’t know what else I could have done to make it any happier or any better—and I’m still enjoying it,” 85-year-old Alton Fritz said early last November, smiling as he sat in the living room at Hospice of Frederick County’s Kline House. “The staff and director at Kline House took every effort to recognize my father’s military service. They even made arrangements to take a photo of him with the Air “I go out and drink coffee on the Force flag on Veteran’s Day. My father was very excited about the photo. One of the deck first thing in the morning nurses even sent the photo to my phone. Thanks for all that was done to support my and watch the hummingbirds father and show appreciation for his service.” and bees.” -Family of Mr. Fritz Alton grew up on a farm not far the cornfields: the one-room In July of 2014, Shirley had gone from Kline House, and he always schoolhouse he attended as a there, and even though she died enjoyed reminiscing about his child, helping his father load the the same day she arrived, the care youth while looking out over horse-drawn cart with produce that she and their whole family to sell and barter during the received during that short time Depression, and meeting his made a lasting impression on childhood sweetheart, Shirley, Alton. After seeing the treatment who later became his wife for provided by the staff and the IN THIS ISSUE 63 years. quality of life available—and how different it was from a hospital— 03 In Memoriam When Alton decided to stop he knew that, when the time chemotherapy, he already came, he wanted to come to Kline 05 “Would You Marry Us?” knew that he wanted House “to enjoy what’s left of life.” to spend the rest 06 A Daughter’s Story of his life at Alton was what you might call “a Kline House. people person,” and lived up STAY CONNECTED continued on page 2 Follow, Like and Share Hospice of Frederick County on Facebook and Instagram Spring 2018 Issue | Page 1 to that reputation until the very last days of his life. Despite being confined to a wheelchair, he always remained very social. Alton loved his “The staff here are wonderful,” he said, and he visits with Hospice enjoyed having lunch with them while he shared Comfort Dog, Steeler. stories over the special meals they made for him, and “getting to know everybody.” Alton, who served 21 years in the Air Force, also enjoyed visits with Hospice of Frederick County’s Veteran Liaison, Keith Midberry, and other volunteers from our Veterans Initiative. Veterans Day he found the strength to One of his many family members also came to sit up, don his Air Force cap and pose in visit him most days. For Alton, there was nothing front of the official Air Force flag for a photo. He more important than his family, of whom he said was truly a proud veteran. On the Sunday before he was “very, very proud.” His eyes glimmered Thanksgiving, Alton had one final opportunity to as he recounted stories of his children and how spend time with the family he loved so dearly when close they were when they were growing up on Air they gathered together once more at Kline House Force bases in Las Vegas and Japan. His children to celebrate the holiday. Just a few days later, on and grandchildren came to visit him often at Kline November 22—at 1:33 p.m., Alton passed away. House; they had dinner together while his great- grandchildren enjoyed themselves in the playroom. There was nothing Alton loved more They even celebrated his grandson’s birthday together there. than people, his family most of all. Kline House allowed him to enjoy what was “left Alton was frequently overheard telling people how of life” by giving him the opportunity to make new comfortable and happy he was to be at Kline House. friends with the patients and staff, spend time with He was thrilled to have a place where he and his the people he loved most, and make new memories family could still get together and do things, right up with his family. until the last day of his life. Alton’s health declined in early November, but on Carlos Graveran, Hospice of Frederick County Executive Director BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ricky Sandy, Board President Timothy A. Gibian, Psy.D Carl Miller William Haugh, Board Vice-President Mark Goldstein, MD, FACP Shabri Moore Rev. Timothy May, Secretary Heather Kirby Justin Saltzman Douglas Stauffer, Treasurer Thomas A. Kleinhanzl John Verbus Jeanie Cronin Alyce Luck Kathy Weishaar Laurel Cucchi Patrick Mansky, MD Page 2 Director’s Corner Carlos Graveran larger than ever to keep pace with accomplishments, there is still a the needs of our community, and great deal more to be done. we could not have accomplished so much without you. Your Our mission is far too large for generosity has made it possible for any one person alone. We Hospice of Frederick County to are successful because of the add services that would otherwise combined efforts of caring citizens be unavailable to our community. from all walks of life who share Our Veteran’s program is only in compassion and love for their its first year, but has already made fellow man. We are honored a significant impact on the lives to have earned your trust and of the veterans in our community. commit ourselves to continued While only a few months old, our improvement in the scope and As this is the first newsletter of the Music Therapy program has also quality of care we provide to all New Year, I want to take a moment played a key role in improving the residents of Frederick County. to say thank you to all of you who the care of our patients and has support our mission through your enhanced the compassionate service and donations. We are in support we provide their families. the final stages of our 2017 Annual While we are proud of these Appeal and I would be remiss if I did not thank all of you who have already sent in your contributions. “Only a life lived for others is worth living.” – Albert Einstein Our hospice program has grown IN MEMORIAM There are many special ways to commemorate your loved ones. During the last quarter, the families of the following individuals donated to Hospice of Frederick County in memory of their loved ones. Alton D. Fritz, Jr. Ellen L. Miller Kenneth M. McConoughey Rev. Ross Forcey Barbara R. Gwinn Evelyn B. Mastalerz Larry H. Pavek Richard S. Montgomery Betty H. Jacques Frances A. Magri Margaret R. Mohler Robert R. Loun Charles H. Harper Frances M. Henn Mark L. Breeden Ruth A. Biggs Cyril R. Baker Francis W. Dmuchowski Mary F. V. Beard Sterling Y. Clabaugh David F. Cromartie Glenn M. Holland Maurice L. Boyer Teresa A. Coats David R. Baer Gwendolyn S. Coyle Michael W. Cresswell Thomas C. Worthington, Jr. Debra L. Baxter Harold C. Hargett Norma J. May Thomas W. Crutchfield Dolores V. Hall Howard Donnelly, Jr. Norman E. Tobery, Jr. Wayne E. Lewns Dorothy G. Orrison Jean M. Price O. Annette Goodman William L. Price, Sr. Edward Staley Joan C. Watkins Patricia E. Watkins Winifred D. Fogarty Elizabeth A. Henry John E. Wisner Patrick W. Murphy Elizabeth J. Dutrow Julia J. Price Pauline L. White Spring 2018 Issue | Page 3 Who pays for music therapy services? At Hospice of Frederick County, music therapy services are nearly 100% compensated by grants, and generous donations from individuals, businesses and community organizations. (People like YOU. Thank you!) What is your favorite part about your job? The stories. I get to meet so many people whom Q&A with Georgia, I never would have otherwise, and get a glimpse into their life and their character and what they’ve Hospice Music contributed to the world—just before their time on it comes to an end. Being able to do that with music, Therapist and often using music itself to tell the stories…I can’t think of any other way I’d rather spend my time. What is music therapy, and how does it What is the hardest part about your job? fit into the hospice team? Sometimes, patients’ illnesses don’t follow the “typical” progression of decline, and we are Music therapy in hospice is definitely more easily obligated to discontinue their hospice services understood if experienced than explained, but in (that means all services). Most people understand a nutshell: it is the calculated, intentional use of why they don’t need a nurse to visit anymore, or music and other techniques to ease end-of-life the aides, or a social worker, but it’s pretty difficult symptoms and offer emotional comfort to both to grasp why “the music lady” can’t come to visit patients and loved ones. The goals of music therapy anymore. So, for me, while I fully understand the are the same goals that our nurses, social workers, “why”, it is hard for me to know that there are folks chaplains, and other staff strive to meet; driven, in the community who benefit very much from of course, by the patient and family. music therapy who will be temporarily denied access to it until they choose to resume hospice care.

Load more