Blog - Hospice of Southern Illinois

June is PTSD Awareness Month

June 17, 2019

June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) awareness month. PTSD occurs after someone goes through a traumatic event. It is a stress response to disaster, overstimulation, assault, violence, or combat. While the information below applies to Veterans at the end-of-life, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can affect anyone. Additionally, each Veteran will have unique needs, so we must make sure that we do not make assumptions based on the title of “Veteran.”

Peace, comfort, and dignity are three goals of care in hospice. The approach to these goals is different for everyone, especially Veterans with PTSD. Often times, Veterans were faced with conflict and other stressors that other individuals and civilians were not exposed to in their past, which can affect their end-of-life journey. Combat and non-combat experiences both influence a Veteran’s needs. Emotional, verbal, or environmental triggers can impact how a Veteran responds to a scenario. It is important to take all of these factors into consideration when visiting, talking, and caring for a Veteran, especially one that has or is experiencing PTSD.

PTSD symptoms may include:

1. Reliving the event and re-experiencing symptoms.

2. Avoidance of people or events.

3. Numbness, shame or hopelessness.

4. Hyper-arousal, anxiety or high-alert for danger.

5. Relationship challenges.

6. Drinking and/or drug problems.

During the final months, weeks and days, individuals reflect on their actions, experiences, and time. Family and friends can help Veterans experiencing PTSD find peace, comfort, and dignity through different types of therapy, medication, or personal connection. Examples include regular visits and discussion, honoring their service and branch, displaying a flag or a shadow box with memorabilia and photos, creating a legacy video to document pastimes, recording an audio journal to showcase a story, or creating a Memory Book to honor their service. The best method and support depends on the individual. We encourage family and friends to try some of these examples to promote healing and help create a safe space for all Veterans, including those with PTSD at the end of their life.

Veteran PTSD Ideas like a guest or memory book

Learn more about Hospice of Southern Illinois’ commitment to veterans; learn about the We Honor Veterans Program and our Level 4 Status: https://hospice.org/ourcare/we-honor-veterans-program/. At times, calling the Veteran Crisis Line for immediate support may be warranted, 1-800-273-8255.

Source: https://www.wehonorveterans.org/veterans-their-needs/specific-populations/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd

4 Million Reasons to Celebrate

May 3, 2019

The 2019 National Nurses Week theme is “4 Million Reasons to Celebrate” a nod to nurses’ sheer numbers and an open invitation to #ThankaNurse for enriching our lives and the world we live in. Hospice of Southern Illinois would like to extend a special thanks to our nurses as they continue to provide the highest level of quality care to our patients. Head over to social media, share a photo, and include the national hashtag, #ThankaNurse, and our local hashtag, #OurHeartBeatsBurgundy, to show your support (and 4 million reasons) for Hospice of Southern Illinois’ nurses and nurses everywhere for the compassionate work they do!

Do you know the role of a hospice nurse?

Did you know the role of a hospice nurse includes assessments, education, symptom management, medication management, personal care, support, and more. With a job more personal than most, they also ensure the respect and dignity of the people they care for, including the support circle, family and friends around them. The Burgundy Team of nurses, trained in end-of-life care, offer compassionate care and symptom management to alleviate the suffering associated with terminal illness. Additionally, Hospice of Southern Illinois has a dedicated Admission Team who provides assessments, immediate support and education to patients and families who are learning about hospice care or making choices about if end-of-life care is right for them.

Nurses offer many different types of care depending on the needs of the patient and family. The four levels of care include: Routine Home Care, Continuous Care, Respite Care, and General Inpatient Care.

Four Levels of Care for Patients

Routine Home Care: Ongoing end-of-life care
Continuous Care: Short-term crisis care
Respite Care: Short-term caregiver relief
General Inpatient Care: Temporary intensive care that cannot feasibly be provided in a non-hospital setting.

Anyone can make a referral to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Calling for hospice care sooner can provide assistance with getting pain and symptoms under control quickly, caregiver relief, durable medical equipment and supplies, medication management, free resources, additional support, and family planning. Nurses at Hospice of Southern Illinois provide on-call support 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. It’s never too early to learn about how hospice can help, before crisis strikes. Call with no obligation today, 1-800-233-1708, or visit our website for free resources, www.hospice.org/community.

Volunteers Give Over 10,000 Hours

April 30, 2019

“At the end of the day, it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished… it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back. “
– Denzel Washington

Annually in April, Hospice of Southern Illinois recognizes a special group of over 300 volunteers who donate countless hours to support our mission, to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness. In 2018, the volunteer teams logged 10,873 hours. Denzel Washington said it best, “At the end of the day, it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished… it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” Another outstanding achievement we are proud to share is that 8% of volunteer hours were related to direct patient care. Medicare requires that 5% of volunteer hours are patient care and the volunteers surpassed this regulation. Thank you to the volunteers who, collectively, worked to give over 10,000 hours and contribute to that milestone. We appreciate those who go above and beyond, with compassion, lifting up patients, their families, and Hospice of Southern Illinois’ employees.

We take this opportunity to thank the entire volunteer team, name our 100 Hour Club Volunteers, and highlight six very special volunteers who receive the prestigious, Butterfly Award. The Butterfly Award recipients’ roles and talents are as varied as the needs of patients, families and staff. Here is a peek into how they donated their time and talents.

Butterfly Award Recipients

Barb Soto
Dana Penrose
Connie Galloway
Elaine Behrmann
Judy Wild
Melissa McArthur

Connie Galloway from DuQuoin, IL. Connie accepting her award said, “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it.” Connie visits multiple patients and is always willing to drive several miles to visit patients in other towns, near or far. She assisted with fundraisers and excels at encouraging others to give and donate. Last year she volunteered 61.5 hours.
Barb Soto from Herrin, IL. Barb works tirelessly at all of our events. She is usually one of the first volunteers to arrive, willing to do any job or task she is assigned, and last to leave, assisting with clean-up and follow-through. Barb heads up the Volunteer Craft Group. With an eye and talent for crafting, she works with a committee to make everything come to fruition. Barb contributed 74 hours in 2018. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to attend the dinner, but when texted a photo of the award, she said, “Oh no. Me? I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there. Thank you. I am really surprised.”
Dana Penrose from DeSoto, IL. A registered nurse, who works part-time and then devotes the rest of his time to his Hospice of Southern Illinois’ patients, Dana spends hours with patients and always goes the extra mile to make sure all of his patients’ needs are met. Dana also has a passion for the We Honor Veterans program, helping with the Veterans’ Honor Flights. We sent Dana a picture of his award and he commented, “Wow, I can’t believe this, this is quite an honor.” Dana volunteered 80 hours this year.
Elaine Behrmann from Albers, IL – Volunteering for 15 years, Elaine is a tremendous advocate for Hospice of Southern Illinois in her community. She can be seen volunteering at community events, fundraisers, parades, visiting patients, and sitting vigilance. We value volunteers, like Elaine, who display compassion towards all their patients and vow to ensure they don’t die alone.
Judy Wild from Waterloo, IL – Longtime volunteer of 18 years, Judy is enthusiastic, positive, a leader, and dedicated. This volunteer reports weekly to the office to file, is an active member in the Adventure Committee, participates in community events, and visits patients. The team comments, “This volunteer is always willing to help out with any tasks asked. Very friendly, reliable, and pleasant to be around. This volunteer continues to do more and more.”
Melissa McArthur from O’Fallon, IL – Melissa documented 141 hours in 2018, and 380 hours since becoming a volunteer in 2012. A true gem with a gentle personality and caring heart, Melissa participates in the craft group, community and fundraising events, is a pet therapy escort, sits vigilance, and visits patients. Her colleagues describe her as: “This volunteer can often be seen at facilities including other residents in the activity she is doing with her patient. This volunteer brings joy to all those around her.”

100 Hour Club

Volunteers who donate over 100 hours to Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Jerry Altepeter	Barb Kunstman	Linda Powers
Ellen Bogacki	Beth Hamer	Linda Sauzek
Amber Bramlet	JoAnn Lunk	Jane Stalker
Ernie Brasher	Bonnie Maller	June Stukenberg
Virginia Downing	Pat Maroon	Adrienne Villotti
Linda Duncan	Melissa McArthur	Linda Vonderharr
Linda Florreich	Cathy Mitchell	Joyce Walton
Betty Franke	Jeanne Nyberg	Tina Wiegmann
Mary Frett	Brenda O’Connor	Judy Wild
Sandy Johnson	Susan O’Mara

Hospice of Southern Illinois, your burgundy team, is a not-for-profit hospice program providing end-of-life care locally since 1981. To join this special group of people or learn more about volunteering, click here.

Hospice is Dignity

April 16, 2019

Dignity • noun

dig·ni·ty | \ ˈdig-nə-tē \

plural dignities

Definition of dignity

2: the quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed

We define dignity because it’s the one noun that relates to quality of life at the end of life, a core value of hospice care at Hospice of Southern Illinois. How do people with a life-limiting illness find quality of life at the end of life? Finding it is different for each person. As individuals with life-limiting illnesses disease progresses, Hospice of Southern Illinois can be called in to support the patient and their family.

We know it’s not an easy call to make. Our care team works together with the patient and their family on what matters most to them at the end of life. While Hospice of Southern Illinois offers many services, layers of support, and compassionate care providers, our core values: integrity, excellence, respect, dignity, and diversity, remain the same. Quality of life is at the center of everything we do for our patients and their families. Mr. David Ward’s story is an example of care that focuses on the quality of life.

Mr. Ward was in the hospital, his kidneys failing, and physically ill. His disease was end-stage. The doctor recommended hospice. Our admission nurse arrived to provide education and support. Mr. Ward and his daughter, his healthcare power of attorney, decided they needed to refocus his goals of care. Quality of life was now his primary focus.

Within Mr. Ward’s first week of receiving hospice care, his pain was reduced and his symptoms were managed. His daughter was surprised to see her father living past a week. She focused on the time she had to spend with her dad. “As far as I am concerned, these are the angels sent down to help me take care of my daddy.” His nurse and hospice aide, who assisted with his physical well-being, personal care and diagnosis specific education, visited him regularly to ensure his dignity as his disease progressed.

“As far as I am concerned, these are the angels sent down to help me take care of my daddy.”
Tyra, Daughter of Mr. Ward

Mr. Ward is a man with so much history; born in 1941, an Army veteran and a gunshot victim while saving his brother 45 years ago. After learning so much about Mr. Ward’s life, his social worker began to ensure the emotional well-being of the family. Often checking in, providing resources, and preparing them for the unknown ahead, the social worker also enjoyed Mr. Ward’s many stories, love for coffee, chocolate cake donuts, and old western films.

After several months in Hospice of Southern Illinois’ program, the many benefits the family observed and the quality of life Mr. Ward was experiencing, was exactly what they had hoped for a loved one with a life-limiting illness. He was above all else, comfortable and at peace. Mr. Ward’s nurse, social worker and hospice aide continued their visits, always asking him three important questions, “What’s important to you today?”; “Do you have any pain?”; and “How can I make today better?” In hospice, we don’t get to celebrate birthdays often. Each day as his birthday approached, the team wanted to make sure he was ready to make a lasting memory. As we all entered the room with donuts, cake and balloons in hand, we heard, “Oh, Lord!” We proceeded to sing happy birthday and shared stories. After his visit with his Hospice of Southern Illinois family, Mr. Ward’s son left us with some beautiful words, “I appreciate everything hospice has done for the Ward family and our dad. We can’t thank you all enough. And to top it all off, to be here with him on his birthday is most appreciative. We love you all, and we thank you all for being a part of this.”

celebrating a birthday with hospice of southern illinois employee

family birthday party with hospice of southern illinois team

Mr. Ward and his family have seen how meeting with hospice to discuss his comfort and peace was a decision they will never regret. Calling Hospice of Southern Illinois to focus on his quality of life early on, was such a benefit, not only to their dad, but to the entire family. We hope every individual and their family who experience a life-limiting illness can spend time with family, focus on what’s important each day, and receive the dignity they deserve.

Share your experience about Hospice of Southern Illinois’ end-of-life care. Consider sharing a loved one’s triumphant past, a heartwarming hospice encounter, memories during their final weeks, or a message to share with other’s about their life lessons. Any one of these touching moments can impact the lives of others and carry-on your loved one’s Legacy Story.

Submit a Legacy Story

To learn more about our programs and services, click here. To make a referral or ask questions without obligation, call 1-800-233-1708.

National Pet Day Social Media Contest

April 10, 2019

National Pet Day is April 11th and we want to see your pets! Focusing on bringing peace and comfort to our patients, we offer a pet therapy program as an extension of our mission and a complimentary service. Post a photo or video, with a caption and our hashtag #ourheartbeatsburgundy, of your ‘paw’some pets who bring you peace and comfort every day for a chance to win an iPad Mini!

To submit your entry, post a photo or video of your pet on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with our hashtag #ourheartbeatsburgundy. Your photo or video submission, during the submission period, with the hashtag, is acceptance of the contest rules and eligible for a chance to win. Contest entries are accepted April 11, 2019 through April 30, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. One contestant will win the prize based on random selection by a 3^rd party, Woobox Contest Platform.

CHAMP Assistance Dogs' Volunteer Team with Hospice of Southern Illinois' Volunteer and patient. — CHAMP Assistance Dogs’ Volunteer Team with Hospice of Southern Illinois’ Volunteer and patient.

National Pet Day Photo contest spreads awareness of our mission to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness. Your participation and sharing our hashtag shares our story and yours. Thank you for being a hospice advocate just by celebrating pets who bring you peace and comfort!

Click here to learn more about our Pet Therapy Program and Complimentary Service.

No purchase necessary; Purchase does not enhance the chance of winning; Void where prohibited; Submissions accepted 4/11/2019 – 4/30/2019 at 12:00 p.m. Multiple submissions are allowed; Must be 18+ to enter and win; Valid submission is authorization for acceptance of contest rules and consent to participate. Each entrant/participant complies with a complete release of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter; One winner selected at random by a 3^rd party, Woobox Contest Platform; This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Woobox, Apple, iPad, or Walmart. Reserves right to modify contest.

For details, entries and official rules:
https://woobox.com/9ihjuf

3 Benefits of a Medical Director and Pharmacist

March 28, 2019

3 Benefits of a Medical Director and Pharmacist

All hospices are required by the government to have oversight from a Medical Director, or physician who reviews the needs of patients, but one thing that sets Hospice of Southern Illinois apart is our full-time, on-staff Medical Director. The Medical Director works with a team of Associate Medical Directors and the hospice interdisciplinary team to manage symptoms related to the patient’s diagnosis. Additionally, we have a full-time, on-staff Pharmacist. Our distinguished Pharmacy Residency Program is 1 of 18 in the United States and the only one American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Accredited and fully funded by a hospice. Let’s dive into the three most important benefits of these two positions.

Innovative suggestions about the comfort of our patients

One major benefit of having a Medical Director and Pharmacist on staff is having access to professionals with innovative ideas that focus on pain and symptom management, one of the main goals of hospice care. Our Medical Director isn’t in private practice and our pharmacist doesn’t have other patients at a pharmacy. This means their sole focus is on our patients’ comfort, oversight of their plan of care, and evaluating how their medications manage their symptoms. They lead conversations about reducing pain, monitoring dosing and medication interactions, and most importantly, improving quality of life.

Caregivers have direct access to physicians and a pharmacist

Another advantage of having a Medical Director, in conjunction with a Pharmacist, is the benefit to our employees. Together, our physicians and our interdisciplinary team work to monitor pain, assess symptoms, and provide immediate recommendations in medication and care adjustments as needed. Employee access to real-time communications at meetings and over the phone, directly impacts our patients and improves their level of comfort.

Patient-centered care

And finally, the benefit that ties everything together is the patient-centered care. Hospice of Southern Illinois’ on-staff Medical Director and Pharmacist’s only focus is Hospice of Southern Illinois’ patients’ pain levels and symptom management. This means a patient’s comfort is the number one priority.

If someone you know is not sure about how a hospice can help support them, give Hospice of Southern Illinois a call. As a local, not-for-profit hospice, we will answer their questions without obligation. Our program ensures the comfort, dignity and respect every individual with a life-limiting illness deserves. Click here to learn more about our programs and services.

Leadership Belleville Alumni Award: Amy Richter, President & CEO

February 1, 2019

Leadership Belleville Alumni Award: Amy Richter, President & CEO

Amy Richter, Hospice of Southern Illinois’ President & CEO receives the 2018 Leadership Belleville Alumni Award which recognizes alumni who have made an impact through their service to the community and the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce. As of January 1, 2019 Amy Richter, Hospice of Southern Illinois’ President and CEO, was elected to serve on The Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors. She has previously served as Chair of the Belleville Chamber Government Affairs Committee and was a member of this committee for four years. She also served on the Belleville Chamber Board from 2011-2013. She continues to actively volunteer for Chamber activities/events. Click here to read more about our CEO and leadership.

Our Heart Beats Burgundy

January 25, 2019

We are launching a new campaign this month for 2019, Our Heart Beats Burgundy, to raise awareness about the hospice philosophy, hospice services, and hospice caregivers. Hospice of Southern Illinois takes pride in setting the bar for ethical hospice care. We ensure our patients’ dignity during their end-of-life journey through experienced nursing care, active listening, and compassionate conversations. Our caregivers and employees strive to educate healthcare providers and members of the community why hospice services are so important. Finally, it’s the people behind the mission who will guide you every step of the way. On the burgundy team, made up of many hospice hearts, all hearts beat as one; our heart beats burgundy.

Take an active role in raising hospice awareness. Help us spread the word and start the conversation about the importance of hospice care and having a hospice heart. It all starts sharing the stories we post on social media. We would love to hear your hospice story too. Use our hashtag #ourheartbeatsburgundy. Take it one step further. Write a review for us on Facebook or Google. We can’t wait to follow along! To read a few hospice stories, click here.

18 Ways Hospice of Southern Illinois Made an Impact in 2018

January 25, 2019

18 Ways Hospice of Southern Illinois Made an Impact in 2018

Hospice of Southern Illinois takes pride in the integrity of our reputation and the involvement in the communities we serve. Below are a few ways Hospice of Southern Illinois made an impact in 2018. We are looking forward to 2019 and growing to serve you better each year, keeping our mission in the forefront: to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness.

Served over 40,000 families since 1981– we are your local, not-for-profit hospice with our roots starting right here in Southern Illinois.
Celebrated our 37^thyear of serving our communities – Hospice of Southern Illinois is the leader and has experience in end-of-life care.
Welcomed Hanna Hollingsworth as our new PGY2 (post-graduate, year 2) Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacist – Hospice of Southern Illinois’ Pharmacy Residency Program, in collaboration with the SIUE School of Pharmacy, remains the only accreditedPGY2 Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacy Residency Program fully funded by a hospice, in the United States.
Purchased a new building – located at 333 South Illinois Street, Belleville, IL. This will be the future home of our Belleville Clinical Team, moving from their leased space on East Main Street to the new building in the Fall of 2019. This building was chosen because of its proximity to our administrative office (next door) and for growth opportunities.
Achieved We Honor Veterans Partner, Level Four – showing our dedication to Veteran End-of-Life care, our Belleville Location received the highest recognition, Level IV, of the We Honor Veterans Program. Our Marion location previously received this recognition.
Marion Honor Flight – Hospice of Southern Illinois’ volunteers served on the Welcome Home Committee for Veterans Honor Flight Volunteer Group. Over 250 volunteers were involved to make the Veterans’ Homecoming memorable. More than 3,600 people welcomed these Heroes Home at the Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois.
Hosted 4 Virtual Flight of Honor programs– together with community leaders of Waterloo, Freeburg, Swansea, and Mascoutah, Hospice of Southern Illinois honored over 80 Veterans. Members of the communities also came out to experience the typical “honor flight day” without leaving their hometown.
Reached 4,000 Likes on Facebook– we are your resource for hospice education and news locally. We appreciate the online support of our advocates, patients and communities.
Launched our Instagram account – visually opening our arms to show you the hospice hearts of those who provide the care and programs in the Metro East and Southern Illinois.
Reinstated Pet Therapy Program – our pet therapy program is a complimentary service and an extension of our mission. We focus on finding ways to bring comfort and peace to patients and their loved ones. Pet therapy has the power to offer additional support while adding joy, companionship, social interaction, and emotional connection to individuals at any stage in their end-of-life journey.
Volunteers donated over 10,000 hours– individuals came together and shared their time and talents with patients, families and employees to support our mission.
8% of volunteer hours were in direct patient care– Medicare requires a minimum of 5% of volunteer hours in patient care. Our dedicated volunteer teams exceeded this requirement.
Presented and hosted over 160 presentations– we offer presentations, education, and resources at a minimal or no cost to healthcare professionals, organizations and community groups.
Collaborated with community organizations – Belleville Area Humane Society, Shoeman Water Project, Boots and Socks for Trinity United Church of Christ, Mimosas and Mittens at The Esquiline and a Food Drive.
Participated in Empty Bowl Luncheons – over 2,000 community members attend these community-based lunch programs raising awareness and offering networking where local businesses give back to local organizations.
Involved in Salute to Scott – this O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber celebration welcomes Scott Air Force Base residents, veterans and community members to find fellowship through a welcoming community event.
Guidestar Silver Seal – we proudly display a Silver Seal on the GuideStar Nonprofit Profile to show a commitment to transparency with our supporters. GuideStar is the world’s largest source of information on nonprofit organizations. With a Silver Seal, Hospice of Southern Illinois’ visitors can make more informed decisions when considering a donation.
Verified Non-Profit on Facebook – individuals can give back and make donations directly to Hospice of Southern Illinois through social media. Thank you to our Facebook family, supporters, advocates, and donors who helped raise over $4,000 in our first verified year!