For friends of Senior Independence Hospice Volume 5, Issue 1 Summer 2016 mpressions LEGACIES OF LOVE AND FINGERPRINTS ON THE WORLD BAZINGA! page 2 In this issue: Running for a cause . page 3 Spiritual support . page 4 Thanks to our volunteers . page 7 BAZINGA! Patient delighted with special gift Senior Independence Hospice patient Gertrude “Gert” Lowther has a tall, handsome, very smart man keeping her company these days – in the form of a life- sized cardboard image. When the Greater Cleveland region’s hospice staff heard how much Gert loves the TV show “The Big Bang Theory,” they decided to organize a special surprise for her as part of their Make it Happen program. Make it Happen is Senior Independence’s wish fulfillment program that brings special moments of meaning and joy to patients. For Gert’s surprise, the hospice team was able to find a life-sized cutout of her favorite Big Bang character, Sheldon Cooper. “She is a wonderful lady with a great laugh. They also bought buttons with some of She lights up a room with that laugh,” Kim Sheldon’s most popular sayings, and were shared. able to secure an autographed picture of Sheldon and the rest of the show’s cast. You can help hospice patients like Gert experience special moments of joy and Gert cracked up when they surprised her and meaning by making a donation to the Make it her daughter with the special Sheldon gift. Happen program. A reply envelope has been enclosed for your convenience should you “Sheldon makes me laugh. He’s a great choose to send your gift today. conversation piece,” said Gert. ON THE CovER: Hospice patient Gert Lowther She added that she was also delighted and and her daughter pose with Gert’s new roommate, amazed at all the effort the hospice staff put cardboard Sheldon! Gert also received an into making it happen. autographed photo of the cast of her favorite show, “The Big Bang Theory.” One of her nurses, Kim Evans, said this AbovE: As part of its Make it Happen program, project has made many people happy and it Senior Independence Hospice helped bring a little all began with Gert talking about her favorite extra joy to hospice patient Gert by providing her TV show. with a cardboard cutout of her favorite TV character. 2 RUNNING for A CAUSE Employees race to raise money for hospice Two Senior Independence they ran in the 13.1-mile The group trained for five staff members in the segment of the Cleveland months, running hundreds of Mahoning Valley region Marathon in mid-May. miles as they prepared for the recently raised more than half marathon. $1,500 for the Make it “All of the money went to Happen program by running the Mahoning Valley region’s They stayed together the a half marathon. Make it Happen program whole time and finished in just because it’s something we are under 2 and a half hours. “To me this was much more very passionate about. Our than another race; it was a goal next year, which will mission to inspire others and mark 10 years of hospice, is to BELOW, LEFT: Hospice Case come together for a greater raise $10,000 to represent 10 Manager Ryan Scragg and Therapy Supervisor Heather cause,” said Dr. Heather years,” Heather explained. Hrina Medvec pose together after Hrina Medvec, therapy running a half marathon in support supervisor, who coordinated Heather has been involved in of Senior Independence Hospice’s the fundraiser. other philanthropic efforts and Make it Happen program. encourages others to do the Heather was joined by co- same. “I love doing volunteer BELOW, riGHT: Ryan Scragg was worker Ryan Scragg, a work. It brings me great joy to determined to finish the 13.1 mile race, even in the snow! Ryan and hospice case worker, and give to others. I feel God has colleague Heather Hrina Medvec her husband, Matt, a police blessed me in many ways and raised money to benefit Senior officer. They obtained as a way to say thank you, I Independence Hospice patients in pledges of $1 for each mile like to give back,” she shared. the Mahoning Valley region. www.seniorindependence.org 3 SpiritUAL SUpport Chaplains provide additional level of care Our spiritual care coordinators come from many backgrounds. One worked as a military chaplain. Another did mission work all over the world. A third spent many years as a nurse. Now, their daily work supports hospice patients, family and staff. Whether offering prayer to patients in need or leading a grief support group for those left behind, they provide care in many forms. Here’s a look at the special people who attend to the spiritual needs of those we serve: Mike Peebles Joyce Gordon Central Ohio Greater Cleveland Region Region A pastor who has served in Nigeria, Jamaica, After years as a geriatric nurse, Joyce Gordon the Dominican Republic and England, felt called to bring spiritual care to hospice Columbus native Mike Peebles always carries patients. “I feel as if I have come home to a portable speaker with him so his patients where I was meant to be. Every day is a gift can hear their favorite music loud and clear. and each moment with my patients is an opportunity to bring peace and comfort to From music to spiritual and emotional people in need,” she said. support, Mike’s main goal is to minister to those in need, regardless of their religious Joyce focuses on support and encouragement. background. She sees a “real hunger” for spirituality in the patients, family and staff. When family members are having a difficult time, Mike is there to provide a listening ear “During a visit I listen deeply to the stories and offer prayer and words of comfort. of their life. By giving voice to their personal history and present concerns, the Mike and other members of the hospice process of spiritual healing can begin. With team sometimes create a church service their permission, I will read a devotional in a patient’s home. Spiritual songs that that resonates with our conversation,” she are familiar to the patient are sung. Mike explained. “Even if they can’t communicate, provides a short message or sermon, and even I will sit at their bedside and pray or softly communion if the patient desires. sing, knowing that God is fully present.” 4 James Fawcett Daniel Tayman Vincent Flippo Akron/Canton Mahoning Valley Greater Toledo Region Region Region James Fawcett was a Like his colleagues, Daniel Vince Flippo’s theology military chaplain assistant Tayman makes himself degrees and experience have and even served in Iraq. available to staff in addition to prepared him to help patients So he especially enjoys patients and their families. and their family members working with veteran hospice adjust to the realities of patients and their family Those who take care of death and the dying process. members. James says many hospice patients come to Sharing in the patient’s life of the veterans he’s visited are care for them deeply, and review can lead to discussions touched by their interactions. grieve right along with family of deeper concerns with which members. “If I can put a little the patient might want help. Hospice patients can have wind in their sails, I feel I’ve strong spiritual needs, and made a difference for them on One of Vince’s patients asked chaplains like James can that day,” Daniel said. for help with writing letters to provide much needed comfort. leave for his sons of whom he “Many of our patients feel The Air Force veteran has was so proud. isolated,” he said. “We can been a pastor since 1990, bring caring, compassionate and brings positivity to all he “He was unable to write companionship and, for those does. He looks out for what he very well by this point and who are religious, we can calls “sprinkles on a cupcake” could barely speak. However bring encouragement through opportunities to cheer and I will treasure that day he spiritual sources and prayer.” brighten someone’s day. and I grappled through the heartfelt words and the deep, James added that he has also And whenever possible, loving emotions as we cried felt privileged to participate Daniel likes to give little and worked to leave letters in the funerals of some of surprises. “It’s amazing to to his boys,” he shared. “The his patients. “It’s an honor see what a sweet treat does to fact that he included me in to be a resource for families the outlook of a patient and something so personal is during their time of grief,” he even their family. Smiles all among my highest honors,” explained. around!” he shared. Vince said. www.seniorindependence.org 5 SPECIAL WishES FULfiLLED Make it Happen is a special Senior Independence program that brings moments of joy and meaning to those nearing the end of their lives by fulfilling their life-enhancing wishes. Here are some of the wishes this program has helped to come true: Marjorie Boroff’s 85th birthday celebration was a foot- tapping good time as a bluegrass band was brought in to provide her favorite music. Many members of her large family attended and there were sub sandwiches and cake on the menu. “Marjorie was in high spirits and was beaming from ear to ear,” said a hospice staff member. Floyd Ackerman loves banana ice cream, and it was the highlight of his Make it Happen event. Hospice staff held an ice cream social for Floyd, and his friends and family came to enjoy the sweet celebration.