The journey jan feb 2014 issuu

January - February 2014

THE

JOURNEY Your Life, Your Choice, Your Passage

Volunteers return the favor

Reaching out:

helping African-Americans access hospice care

We Honor Veterans Honoring the service of our veteran patients

Innovative Iniatives e ag im CC

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Healthy Heart Tips

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ia dd v e La ark of P

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We provide individualized, quality care every step of the way.

Our Vision

We deliver expert, personalized care with compassion and respect.

Contributors: Editorial

Kaitlyn Henderson Kansas Swain

Art Direction Photography

Staff photographers supplied all photos in this newsletter unless otherwise specified.

All photographs are property of Passages Hospice and may not be reproduced without permission. Contact pr@passageshospice.com for permission or questions.

This issue of The Journey was made available to the public on December 23 through issuu. View the newsletter at http://bit.ly/1cZ2sgR

P: 1.888.741.8985 E: info@passageshospice.com W: www.passageshospice.com

After Hours Helpline

888.741.8983

Connect with Us:

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Nov. - Dec. 2013

Meet Our Team: Chief Compliance Officer Sharon DeVita

Chief Financial Officer Sandy Szajkovics

Chief Marketing Officer Shelley Johansen

Chief Medical Officer Dheeraj Mahajan, MD

Clinical Services Carmen Velez

F e b r u a r y

Education Alice Amro

Human Resources Ed Jones

Information Technology Tom Schar

Palliative Care Emily O’Malley

Physician and Hospital Services Jacob Matich

Public Relations and Hospice Dreams Kansas Swain

Social Services

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Contact Us:

J a n u a r y

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Kamie Freeland

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Our Mission

2014

Roxxi Davis

Spiritual Care David Weiss

Volunteer Services Nicole Brokaw

Anonymous Compliance Hotline 855.366.5093 As part of our continuing commitment to compliance we are encouraging facilities and other partners to use this number if they have a concern.

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Index 3 Volunteers return the favor 4 National Hospice and Palliative Care Month 5 - 6 We Honor Veterans

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7 - 8 Annual supply drive 9 - 10 Passages goes for the ‘mo 11 - 12 American Heart Health Month 13 - 14 Helping African Americans access hospice care 15 - 16 Unveiling innovative initiatives 17 Dreams are Ageless 18 Marketing Retreat

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We’ve Moved….Marion, IL! Our Carbondale office has relocated to the nearby town of Marion, IL. Contact our Marion office at: 104 Airway Drive Marion, IL 62959 Phone: 618.997.5233 Fax: 618.997.5293 tvacco@passageshospice.com

orch T AWARD

Marketplace Ethics

2013 Honorable Mention Trust • Performance • Integrity

Volunteers return the favor

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ur Volunteer Department staff did their part in giving back to the community when they cooked and served a meal at the Ronald McDonald House in Hines, IL. This annual event helps our team stay connected to causes important to them.

A Letter from a Volunteer

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s a nursing student, I chose hospice care to fulfill my volunteer requirement. My role was to provide emotional support to patients in a declining physical state. I listened and provided comforting messages where I could. One of my favorite parts about volunteering was sharing my own memories and stories of my family. It helped me connect with patients, because they also liked to tell stories. It helped them remember the happy times throughout their life and helped me learn more about what life used to be like.

Even though I only visited once a week, my patients always had a smile for me and we enjoyed our time together. I learned that as busy as my life is, it’s important to spend time with my elders. I tried to give them the compassion and respect they deserve, and I learned a lot about having empathy for others.

Working in hospice is so different from my previous volunteer experiences.

I really feel like I’ve built relationships with my patients and have had a very rewarding experience. As an added benefit, I was able to observe nurses and learn skills I will need for my career.

-Molly Haynes, RN student

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing

Molly Haynes

National Hospice and Palliative Care Month Thank you for helping us celebrate National Hospice and Palliative Care Month! During the month of November, we reached a milestone of caring for 7,500 patients and families since we opened in 2005.

Swansea area staff honored hospice patients at Midwest Rehabilitation and Respiratory Center by tying a ribbon on the Hospice Tree, and by wearing purple - the color of Hospice Month!.

We appreciate your continued trust and partnership in our care and look forward to serving you in 2014.

We Honor Veterans

Click Here

We are steadily moving forward with our We Honor Veterans program outreach, and are excited for our second star! On Veterans Day, we released our first Veterans Video honoring the service of our veteran patients.

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ur Honorable Transport program provides a large American flag to cover deceased veterans as they are escorted out of their home or nursing facility for the final time. If you would like to help us purchase these flags, please contact info@passageshospice.com to make a donation.

A BIG thank you to Representative Tammy Duckworth for assisting with our flag acquisition!

Countryside Manor staff and patients tied ribbons with veteran’s names on the Veteran’s Tree outside.

hank you to the community organizations and care partners who helped us with Veterans Day ceremonies: Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Downers Grove, IL Asta Care Center of Rockford Aurora Moving Wall Aurora Rehabilitation and Health Care Dignity Memorial, Skokie, IL Forest Edge Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Chicago, IL Fairview Care Center, Joliet, IL Helia Healthcare of Carbondale, Carbondale, IL Oak Lawn VFW Mt. Vernon Countryside Manor Randolph County Care Center Rock River Center, Oregon, IL VFW ceremony in Fairview Heights Randolph County Care Center staff and Passages staff placed flags with veteran’s names on the lawn outside to honor veterans during the month of November.

Passages Hospice founder Seth Gillman and Lynn Bila from Representative Ron Sandack’s office with the total donations.

Charles Rapp, a WWII Navy veteran, and his son David Rapp, a Vietnam Army veteran, help Passages staff kick off the supply drive on Veterans Day.

Our second Holiday Supply Drive collected more than 800 items and $500 for the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans!

Lynn Bila from Rep. Sandack’s office and Kansas Swain, Passages Director of Public Relations pack boxes to be donated.

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ur second annual Holiday Supply Drive collected more than 800 items and $500 to support the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans! Beginning on Veterans Day, each office accepted food, clothing and cash donations. Local community leaders supported our drive with their partnership. Thank you for your generous donations to help brighten the lives our returning servicemembers.

The supply drive is an important part of our We Honor Veterans program, and is just one of the ways we’re providing education and support to our veteran patients.

We are an official Red Cross partner! Visit our Red Cross microsite by clicking here to learn more or to make a donation.

Movember

Passages Hospice is bringin’ the stache back!

We’re proud to support the Prostate Cancer Foundation with our second annual donation to the Movember organization! The Movember organization, a combination of the words “November” and “Moustache”, encourages men to grow their moustache to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer research.

Each year, almost a quarter of a million men will receive a new diagnosis of prostate cancer - one every 2.2 minutes. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, with 97% occurring in men over age 50.

During the month of November, Passages staff, partners and supporters donned fake moustaches and submitted a photo of their ‘mo to earn a $10 donation to Movember. See photos from Movember on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/passageshospice.

Southpoint Nursing and Rehab staff proudly wore their mustaches to support Movember.

Heartland Health Care Center staff donned their mustaches to support the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Megan McDonough, Trish Christopherson, and Michelle Bolond look good with their staches.

“I’m proud of the response we got from our staff and partners,” said Michael Gillman, Passages Hospice Administrator. “People really got into the spirit to support a great cause.”

Cottage Grove staff had a blast while supporting the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Director of Business Development Kirk Swanson with Danville Care Center Staff.

www.facebook.com/passageshospice

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Silent Killer

ebruary is American Heart Month, and the American Heart Association encourages everyone to know their risk of heart disease. Risk factors include a family history of heart disease, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. For more information about heart disease, visit the American Heart Association at www.heart.org. For assistance living with chronic heart disease like Congestive Heart Failure, contact us at www.passageshospice.com or 888-741-8985.

“Women especially are prone to the less obvious symptoms like nausea or dizziness,” says Carmen Velez, Clinical Director of Passages Hospice. “If you even think it could be a heart attack, seek treatment.”

How can palliative or hospice care help someone with CHF?

1. Easing dyspnea (shortness of breath)

2.

Reducing edema (swelling and fluid retention in the body)

3. Providing comfort and reducing anxiety

Did you know? Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) is one of the

diagnoses being monitored by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services in their efforts to reduce readmission rates in hospitals.

Passages Hospice is expanding our cardiac care services in 2014! We are committed to working with nursing facilities and hospitals to provide the best care with better healthcare costs.

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eart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., but the symptoms of a heart attack are often ignored or mistaken as general discomfort. Recognizing a heart attack and seeking treatment early can significantly improve the outcome.

Symptoms of a heart attack include

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Tightness, tingling or pain in the chest, especially if it spreads to the left shoulder or arm

2 Shortness of breath 3 Nausea or indigestion 4 Dizziness or lightheadedness 5 Pain in the back, neck or jaw

Join us in wearing red during the month of February!

Heart Health Tips:

1. Control your portion sizes 2. Eat more fruits and vegetables 3. Exercise at least 3 times per week 4. See your doctor for regular check-ups 5. Live smoke-free

Reaching out: helping

African-Americans access hospice care Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, January 20th. Stay tuned for all of our MKL Jr. activities or check us out on Facebook! Submit your photos to pr@passageshospice.com or on our Facebook page!

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harles Hill is a 72-year-old African-American, and he has lived a full life. He served his country at war, fought for justice for prisoners, and raised his children. But when his health declined and his doctor recommended hospice care, Charles wasn't sure.

Nationally, only 8.5% of hospice patients are AfricanAmerican. Reasons range from a cultural preference for life-extending treatment to a lack of access to quality health care in the community. And some people, like in all ethnic groups, just don't fully understand what hospice is and how it can help them.

There is no 'right' choice between curative treatment and hospice care. Each person and family makes the decision that's right for them. But some long-term diseases, including diabetes and heart disease, affect African-Americans more than other groups, and hospice can be a valuable resource.

By providing education and community involvement in schools, churches, hospitals and neighborhoods, our outreach programs are making a difference in communities across the Midwest. We're happy to say that we serve an above-average number of African-Americans patients and families.

Charles Hill says he has "nothing about good feelings about hospice" now that he knows more about it.

"There are always people coming to check on me," he says. "They encourage me to get up and do things I like. I feel proud of myself."

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ur African-American outreach program was featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Click here to read it!

Passages leading the way

Unveiling Innovative Initiatives!

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ore than 120 people attended our Unveiling event in Chicago, where they learned about our participation in two national initiatives to create better care. Guests enjoyed refreshments while hearing about the INTERACT program, the Bridge Model, Passages Palliative Care and Passages Through Time.

INTERACT (Interventions to Reduce Acute Care Transfers) uses detailed reporting and tracking to find nursing home residents at high risk for repeated hospitalizations. From that data, the interdisciplinary group provides treatments and options to help keep the person in the facility.

Bridge Model

The Bridge Model uses trained community coordinators as an extension of the hospital discharge planner. The Bridge Care Coordinator provides 30 days of intensive care coordination in the community. Services may include help scheduling follow up doctor appointments, visits from home care or even connecting the person to their church or local senior center for help.

Contact us for more information on these programs or for assist at your facility at 888-741-8985.

Founder Seth Gillman, Palliative Medical Director Dr. Gautam, Chief Medical Officeer Dr. Mahajan

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Flash

Amy Muschany and Swansea Mayor Mueller

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assages Palliative Care held an open house in our Swansea, Illinois office on November 21st for healthcare and community leaders. We are looking forward to expanding our palliative care services in southern Illinois.

“Palliative and hospice care add an extra layer of support for patients and families,” Gillman said. “That support can make the difference between home and the hospital.”

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Guests from our partner facilities enjoy our presentation.

Taste of the Netherlands

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nterContinental Hotel

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oin Hospice Dreams for a taste of the Netherlands at the InterContinental Hotel in Chicago on February 8th! The Dutch Club of Chicago is hosting their annual gala and fundraiser to benefit Hospice Dreams!

Space is limited - get your ticket today at www.dutchclubchicago.com.

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ospice Dreams is participating in the 35th annual Gallery of Trees at the Kankakee County Museum with their tree “I’m DREAMing of a White Christmas!”.

They were one of only 24 organizations chosen to represent Kankakee County. Visit the Museum to vote at 801 South

8th Avenue, Kankakee!

hospice

888-741-9132 www.hospicedreams.org

Congratulations!

Awards Michelle Boland HPL of the Year Bloomington Area

Casey Rolape

Physician Liaison of the Year New Contract Award Carbondale Area

Marketing Retreat

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he Passages Hospice marketing and admissions team recently attended an education retreat in Peoria, Illinois. The retreat included breakout sessions, presentations and group brainstorming, and ended with a panel of healthcare experts. Staff learned from a Hospitalist, a Nursing Home Administrator and a national INTERACT representative.

Our Passages team is always learning new things to better serve our partners!

Nancy Pajak

Palliative Consultant of the Year Chicago Area

Tamika Mason

Director of Business Development of the Year Chicago Area

Dan Fleeger Spirit Award Rockford Area

Becky Crow Spirit Award Swansea Area

Peter Grarup

Spirit Award Bloomington Area

Jeremiah Wagner New Contract Award Chicago Area

Capture the moment!

Follow us on Instagram to see the best photos of our staff, activities and events!

Your life. Your choice. Your Passage.

Bloomington, IL

404 N. Hershey Road Ste. A Bloomington, IL 61704 Phone: 309.828.8139 Fax: 309.827.4878

Marion, IL

Lisle, IL

Carmel, IN

Rockford, IL

St. Louis, MO

515 Warrenville Road Lisle, IL 60532 Phone: 630.824.0400 Fax: 630.395.9235

104 Airway Dr. Marion, IL 62959 Phone: 618.997.5233 Fax: 618.997.5293

929 S. Alpine Road, Ste. 202 Rockford, IL 61108 Phone: 815.226.7785 Fax: 815.226.7786

Moline, IL

Swansea, IL

609 35th Ave. Ste. 1-A Upper Level Moline, IL 61265 Phone: 309. 517.6196 Passages Hospice Fax: 309.517.6197

After Hours Helpline

888.741.8983

16 Bronze Pointe Blvd.

Swansea, IL 62226 Phone: 618.234.7078 Fax: 618.257.7266

888-741-8985 Call us to be connected with someone in your area.

2325 Pointe Parkway Ste. 110 Carmel, IN 46032 Phone: 317.564.8779

1120 South Sixth Street Ste. 500 St. Louis, MO 63104 Phone: 314-241-5700 Fax: 314-241-0441

Janesville, WI

1828 N. Washington St. Ste. 170 Janesville, WI 53548 Phone: 608.531.2212

www.passageshospice.com info@passageshospice.com