2018 Gratitude Report

2018Gaitu Repor Collabria Hospice From her home in Calistoga, 93-year- These days, Jeanne knits a little slower and 1960s, the president of the American old Jeanne Lord has touched the lives of sometimes has to go back to fix dropped Women’s Club in London in the 1970s, hundreds, if not thousands, of orphaned stitches, her health having been affected and was involved in the LA County youth. by a number of transient ischemic attacks Epilepsy Society and the Assistance League (TIAs), also known as mini strokes. after that. And she involved her family. From the comfort of her favorite “Mom always had projects, like stuffing armchair, she knits soft, colorful squares, But she is able to remain at home, doing envelopes, for us to help with at home,” in a rainbow of hues, that journey nearly what she loves, thanks to the support she Deanna explains. 10,000 miles to Agape Children’s Ministry and her caregiver, her daughter Deanna, in Kenya, which works to reintegrate receive from Collabria Hospice. In 2012 she moved up to northern orphaned youth with their families. Each California to be closer to her daughters. child chooses the squares they like, which Continuing a lifetime of service Five years ago, she suffered her first TIA. are then turned into a blanket—a personal Jeanne spent her adult life in philanthropy “That one was quick—she didn’t even item of comfort made just for them at a and service. She was the national president realize it was happening,” Deanna says, time when they have little else. of a 20,000-member sorority in the late “but in mid-December of last year, she had 2 two more that changed everything. She was hospitalized for one, suffered the next one while still in the hospital and nearly died. Mom knew she wasn’t going to return to her former self or prevent more TIAs with more time in the hospital–she was done with tests and medications, and she wanted to be in her home among her own belongings.” Jeanne and Deanna got a referral for Collabria Hospice. “A hospital or institution is not always a fit at the end of life, and after my experiences with the losses of my husband, sister, and father, I knew Mom’s decision to go on hospice care was the right one. “With Collabria Hospice’s help, we were able to honor how she wanted to live the rest of her life. “She has suffered additional TIAs since coming home, but takes no meds and has no pain. I’m her caregiver, and working with Collabria Hospice, I feel I can give her better care than if she were in a facility: here, she’s comfortable, happy, and in her own element and routine. Her hospice team keeps an eye on anything that needs to be watched, provides resources like lift assistance and is there to answer any questions any time of day or night that I need it. “We’re all in different spots on this journey called life. Thanks to Collabria Hospice, my mother is exactly where she wants to be on hers: helping others.” Knitting one square at a time. Patient Age 1% 8% 36% 55% 1-39 40-64 65-84 85+ Residence Diagnosis 65% 28% 4% 3% 32% 24% 17% 9% 18% City of Napa Up Valley American Solano Alzheimer’s/ Cancer Cardiac Lung Other Canyon County Dementia Disease Disease 3 Day Program When Gustavo began forgetting their children’s birthdays, Francisca knew her husband’s health issues were more than stress. Doctors had chalked up his neck pain and frustration about work to job- related stress. But an appointment with a neurologist revealed Gustavo—in his mid 40s, with three children and a wife—had Alzheimer’s disease. No longer able to work, Gustavo became depressed and withdrawn. Francisca, who had been a full-time mom, had to become the breadwinner for her family—difficult enough, but impossible without someone to care for Gustavo. The neurologist recommended the Collabria Day Program. “Gustavo refused at first,” Francisca explains. “He thought it was only for old people. “But after trying it, he enjoyed it. Like going to work, it gave him purpose. They got him involved in activities and socializing, and provided rehabilitation to keep him as active and healthy as possible. “Knowing he was in a good environment and being well taken care of, I was able to get a job to support my family. Through Collabria Care, I’ve also been able to attend a caregiver support group and take classes on dementia care, and they’ve helped me with medical supplies and paperwork. Patient Age Residence 2% 17% 64% 17% 80% 7% 7% 6% “What I noticed about Collabria Day 18-30 31-64 65-84 85+ City of Up Valley American Solano Program is how they focus on the Napa Canyon County person,” Francisca says. “They found what Gustavo enjoys, and even as the disease progresses, keep him active and Primary Diagnosis involved. 49% 6% 5% 10% 7% 23% Alzheimer’s/ Stroke Diabetes Hypertension Developmentally Other “I don’t know what we would have done Dementia Delayed if we hadn’t found the Day Program.” 4 Palliative Care Services For lifelong Napa residents George and Jill Oram, the ins and outs of healthcare are something they’ve learned to navigate pretty well. George suffered a massive stroke in 1999. But with treatment and rehab, he was up and walking again. A year ago, he tripped on a culvert, and again, “they fixed me up,” George says. But injuries from a second fall left him unable to walk without assistance. Jill, who runs her own consulting business, was now his sole caregiver. So when she learned about Collabria Care Pallative Services from a friend, she reached out to them. RN Case Manager Jamie McNamara, who had been George’s nurse after his stroke, contacted her and when she heard about his condition, offered to stop by. Afterwards, she arranged with George’s physician for George to receive palliative care services. “Providing healthcare at home can be overwhelming,” Jill admits, “but the palliative care team streamlined and improved the whole process. It has been a godsend. They arranged for in-home care so we didn’t spend most of our day going to and waiting for appointments, and an electric wheelchair so George can be mobile on his own. They’ve educated me on things such as wound care, and are there if I have any concerns. “Jamie also helped me put together an “Without an advocate, you don’t know They communicate with his doctors on advance health care directive to spell what resources you’re missing out on,” our behalf, and the response back is out what types of care I want and don’t says Jill. “Collabria Care Palliative immediate.” want in an emergency if I’m unable to Services is worth its weight in gold.” tell them,” adds George. Patient Age Primary Diagnosis Residence 1% 13% 44% 42% 18% 82% 74% 20% 5% 1% 1-39 40-64 65-84 85+ Cancer Non-Cancer City of Up Valley American Solano (heart disease, COPD/emphysema, chronic kidney disease, dementia) Napa Canyon County 5 Bereavement Services “We held Julie’s memorial service on September 30, 2017. On October 8, our home and all our possessions were destroyed in the Atlas Fire,” recalls Napa resident Jim Graziani. “In a matter of a few weeks, I lost both my wife and the place we had called home for 20 years.” For rebuilding the home, he needed a good contractor. For rebuilding his life, Jim has had the help of Collabria Hospice bereavement counselor Janeen Fabulae. “I attended a Loving Spirit workshop in Sun Valley, ID, after Julie passed away, which was extremely helpful. But grieving and moving on is a process. Sometimes I wake up and, for a second, think Julie’s still here. You miss the emotional connection, the physical contact, just having someone there who knows and understands you.” A friend recommended Jim contact Janeen. “Janeen gives me a space to talk about and process what I’m feeling and how to move forward,” Jim explains. “It’s the best parts about talking to a friend, and the best parts about talking to a therapist—she listens without judgment and provides support—even on something like dating again. She provides perspective and suggests ways to think about how and why things happen. “Being able to regularly check in with someone who understands what you’ve been through so far, what you’re going through now and what you still face? It’s a constant in a world filled with changes, and makes you feel like you’re not in it alone.” Jim sponsored a Living Spirit workshop at Collabria Care in May 2019. We thank him for his generosity. Counseling and Bereavement Services 878 112 546 Hospice patients’ family Community members served Community members served members served through bereavement workshops through individual counseling 6 Legacy Society Members–2018 Anonymous Gertrudis C. Agcaoili, MD Nancy Baracosa Edward I. Barwick Nancy L. Brimhall Ulla and John Brown James Schull and Richard D. Buth Shari Coulombe Eileen Crane Cookie Deckter Sioux Elledge Mary Jane Fay Linda J. Gibson William Chiat and James S. Gladfelter Ursula Haase Billie A. Hewitt The Dick Maher Family Mary Ellen and Didier L. Makowski Majbritt Murdock Valerie and Robert P. Peebles Nancy Pollacek Betty and Ronald L. Profili Dorothy and Jim Roberts Emily Schmidt Legacy Society Suzanne Shi Over the years, through his own charitable “Marcia went through surgery and Kathleen and Stephen Silva contributions Dick Maher demonstrated for chemotherapy, and then experimental Margo and John Simons his five children the importance of giving medication to try to stop the tumor.

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