Reflections - Summer 2016

Reflections Summer 2016

Masonic Village Hospice

Who We Are Since 2009, Masonic Village’s trained, compassionate hospice staff have cared for more than 700 patients and their families, focusing on the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of patients so they may complete their lives joyfully. Our hospice staff promote comfort and self-determination, enabling patients to participate in making decisions about their care.

Based in Elizabethtown, Masonic Village Hospice is pleased to offer services to patients in the comfort of their homes throughout Lancaster, Dauphin, Lebanon and Eastern York counties.

Upcoming Events A Bereavement Support Group is offered at Masonic Village, and is open to both residents and community members. For more information on the group, contact Heidi Young at 717-367-1121, ext. 33576. Group meetings are held in the recreation room on the first floor of the Sycamore North apartment building on the third Thursday of each month, from 10-11:30 a.m.

The Masonic Village Hospice annual event, Hope Love Memories, will take place on Oct. 13, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, spirits and great company at Masonic Village at Elizabethtown. Also, take part in a unique lighting ceremony.

Look for your formal invitation later this summer.

A Service of Remembrance and Gratitude will be held on Oct. 4 in the Masonic Health Care Center’s Roosevelt Assembly Room starting at 2:30 p.m. Come honor and remember loved ones who passed away between March 1 and Aug. 31 with a service led by Masonic Village Hospice, Music Therapy and Spiritual Care staff.

The Masonic Village Hospice Relay for Life team raised approximately $4,000 for the American Cancer Society during their first year of participation. The team also won Relay for Life’s Best On-Site Fundraiser Award.

A Work of Heart past seven years of volunteering, the list grew and was simply too much to maintain.

Chelsee and Deb’s kindness stretches farther than Masonic Village Hospice. Both have been volunteering for several years with United Disabilities Services (UDS), and in January, the Smiths learned of exciting news. Chelsee received her UDS service dog acceptance letter stating she will soon be matched with a service dog that will suit her needs. When Chelsee is matched with her dog, the perfect companion will have completed 18 months of training, then an additional six months of training customized to Chelsee’s needs.

The dog will give Chelsee a sense of comfort in highanxiety situations and guide her through the social barriers she faces each day. Deb and Chelsee are raising funds to help cover the cost of the dog and its ongoing care.

Chelsee is not only looking forward to gaining a companion, but also brightening the days of those on hospice. “I just love to make them smile, and when they see the dog, that’s what they’ll do,” she said.

“Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”

- Mother Teresa Chelsee Smith and her mother, Deb, have an unspoken promise - take care of each other and help those in need, no matter what. “We are compassionate people, who love to laugh, smile and warm people’s hearts,” Deb said.

Chelsee was born with congenital low-tone hearing loss, chronic knee subluxation and dislocation and autism spectrum disorder, but despite these challenges, Chelsee and Deb are avid Masonic Village Hospice volunteers, where they make visits and assist in Healing Touch, an energy therapy.

“Because of what we face, it makes us even more sensitive to the hardships of other people,” Deb said.

“I was raised on the golden rule, to treat others how I would want to be treated, and I’ve taught Chelsee the same. You could say we’re just living out that rule.

“We always leave feeling uplifted and blessed to have helped. Although sometimes, it’s not so easy. I can remember days when we would come home and have tears in our eyes, but we wake up and do it all over again.”

For a while, the duo kept a journal of every patient who impacted their lives. Over the

Join Chelsee and Deb as they continue to touch lives. Please call Josie Schies, hospice volunteer coordinator, at 717-361-1121, ext. 33024 for more information on volunteering.

“Life is so precious and so short,” Deb said. “We all need each other.”

Director’s Message

Maureen Dolk-Metcalfe, HPA, MBA Traditionally, volunteers have been the backbone of the hospice movement and are an indispensable part of hospice programs, including Masonic Village Hospice. By contributing time, energies and talents to fulfill our mission, they provide support that helps enhance our patients’ quality of life. Each one of our 125 volunteers, including Chelsee and Deb, have something special and significant to contribute. No task is too big or too small for our volunteers, but often, the most important thing they do is just “be there” for patients to serve as a companion, lend a listening ear or to share their professional expertise. The strength and courage of our patients provide a constant source of inspiration to our volunteers, who usually feel they gain more than they have been able to give.

Lessons Learned Working in Hospice

Memorializing

Timothy Nickel, hospice chaplain, MAT, MAR, FT Memorializing is really the act of continuing our bonds.

So many people speak of closure when someone special passes away. There is no reason to embrace closure when what we really need to do is continue our bond with our loved one in a new manner.

Kristin Thomas, a social worker and support service coordinator for Masonic Village Hospice, teams up with each patient and family to ensure individual and unique needs are being met. Working in hospice is quite unique, and Kristin has learned countless lessons along the way.

Don’t Take Life for Granted I meet a lot of people who have lived a full life, and they often look at me and say, “I have no regrets.” I’ve learned that I want to be able to say that to my family. It makes me go home and hug my kids and husband a little tighter.

Work Well With a Team Hospice is one of the only medical specialty designed to look at the whole person: medically, psychosocially and spiritually. It’s really all hands on deck. It’s important to lift up, encourage and assist your teammates to provide the best patient care. Plus, it’s always good to have someone to lean on who understands the field.

Deb Bogart had worked for more than 30 years as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the Masonic Health Care Center and was loved by her co-workers and residents.

When Deb was diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, she was, in turn, cared for by Masonic Village Hospice. After Deb passed away in 2015, her husband, Don, knew he wanted to do something special in her memory. He began working with Masonic Charities Office of Gift Planning to arrange a tree planting on campus in her name. In April, I arranged for a memorial gathering of Deb’s family and friends in the courtyard, where the tree is dedicated.

Deb’s family and friends are now connected with this particular tree and also with any magnolia tree they see, anywhere they see it, for it will remind them of their ongoing love for Deb.

Listen to Your Gut As you work with people, you almost get a sixth sense, a feeling that something isn’t quite right. Sometimes I think, ‘I should go check on that person,’ and usually that gut feeling is correct. If I don’t listen to it, sometimes I miss an opportunity to support someone, or even the chance to say a final goodbye.

Have a Good Self-Care Plan I’ve had to learn not to take the emotions of the day home with me. Having a good self-care plan to de-stress is crucial. I spend special time with my kids, find extra support people outside of work and do aromatherapy to bring myself some extra peace.

Kristin has certainly found her professional niche. “In school, I was always drawn to the people who needed someone to talk to. That’s how I knew social work was right for me.”

(l-r) Scott Ruth, director of land management at Masonic Village, Don Bogart and Timothy Nickel

Thanks to Our Generous Donors HONORS

Given Feb. 1 through April 30 HONOREE DONOR Tim Nickel Fay W. Marvel The Hospice Care Staff John and Susan Wojensk

MEMORIALS

Given Feb. 1 through April 30, 2016 MEMORIAL DONOR John E. Adams, Jr. Alvin S. Goodman Paul R. Andrews Ginny Andrews

Stuart and Barbara Brown Elois J. Baker John and Joyce Grix

Irene Kyle and Family Herbert S. Ford Mark and Joyce Ford Grace M. Frishkorn Richard and Cynthia Deik

Eric Frishkorn

Joan M. Gulden

Brian and Laurie Hartz Eleanor (Jean) Gaspari Patricia A. Antelitano

Crystal Pools, Inc.

Trevor and Alexandra Davis

Ian Price

Timothy and Kimberly Price Marian Haagen Lynne M. Brody

C. Hess Haagen

Mary Ann Haagen

Morris and Leone Sider George H. Harvey Ann Croop

MEMORIAL DONOR S. Richard Heisey Harry and Doris Longenecker Richard C. Helm Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Deihm

LaRue M. Helm

Mr. and Mrs. LaRue M. Helm, Jr. Patricia (Pat) Kerlin Frank K. Kerlin

Bonnie Steigerwalt Glenna V. Lilly Commonwealth Disposal, Inc.

Robert Meals Helen S. Mayer Nancy L. Mayer

Lois Mearig and Family

Gwen E. Weaver Barbara J. McMillan M. Virginia Musser Shirley J. Montross Donald and Carol Werner Carl F. Olnick Bryan and Laura Olnick

Carol Olnick

Stanley Olnick

John and Susan Wojenski Glenn L. Runk Kenneth and Katherine Burkholder

Deborah A. Graham

RR Donnelley Financial Donald E. Schmick Henry and Jackie Graybill Mary E. Strawn Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Boyer

Nancy J. Nadeau Stephen L. Tyler Robert S. Tyler Kenneth Walborn Ken and Carol Ann Betz

Karen K. Davis

Lester and Pat Dupes

John L. Mattis

Paul D. Thompson

Giving a Gift in Memory

Masonic Village Hospice Wish List

For many, a gift in memory of a spouse, parent, family member or close friend provides an opportunity to remember him or her in a meaningful way. There are several options in which you can make a gift to Masonic Village Hospice in honor of someone special, including purchasing from the Wish List or making a general donation to help provide quality care for patients and their families.

No.

Capital Need

5

Donations for Transportation Cost $100 for Special Events

5

Gift Cards to Local Spa

5

Hospitality Cart Supplies

2

Special Events Bus Trip Cost

$150

1

Week at the Shore

$1,500

To make a donation, please use the coupon printed on the back of this newsletter. For additional information, please contact the Office of Gift Planning by calling 1-800-599-6454, emailing giving@MasonicCharitiesPa.org or visiting MasonicCharitiesPa.org/gifts. Make your gift online at MasonicCharitiesPa.org/donate-now.

Cost Per Item

$100

$100

Visit MasonicCharitiesPa.org/gifts for an up-to-date list.

Please note that if funds donated for any item listed are over subscribed, the funds will be used for additional wish list items or needs.

Masonic Village • One Masonic Drive • Elizabethtown, PA 17022 717-367-1121, ext. 18449 • MasonicVillageHospice.org • MVhospice@masonicvillages.org

Open for Everyone.

Masonic Village Hospice does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, ancestry, national origin, familial status, age, sex, limited English proficiency (LEP) or any other protected status in admission, treatment or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment.

Please mail to: Office of Gift Planning • One Masonic Drive • Elizabethtown, PA 17022 Please direct my gift to: Reflections Donation Form: Summer 2016 (check payable to Masonic Villages)  Masonic Village Hospice-Gift Amount_________ Please Notify  Masonic Village Hospice Wish List Item and Gift Amount______________________________ Name________________________________________________________  I/we would like to include Hopice in my/our will. Address_______________________________________________________ Please call me at __________________________ City________________________________ State_____ Zip _____________ My/our gift is in memory/honor of (circle one): ___________________________________________ Please charge the donation to my credit card:  VISA  Mastercard  American Express Card#_______________________________________ Exp. Date ___ /___ 3-Digit Security Code ______ Phone _____________________________________ Signature___________________________________ You can also make your gift online at: www.MasonicCharitiesPA.org/donate-now

Contact Information Name________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________ City________________________________ State_____ Zip _____________ Phone________________________________________________________ Email_________________________________________________________ Masonic Village is a 501(c)3 charitable organization

If you wish to have your name removed from the mailing list to receive future newsletters or fundraising materials supporting Masonic Village Hospice, please mail a written request to: Masonic Charities, Office of Gift Planning, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. The official registration and financial information of Masonic Villages may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.