Focus Ridgeview Foundation
Winter | 2015
Leaving a legacy
R
ooted in their passion for travel and anchored by love, the 17-year marriage of Paul and Dee Moss contained a lifetime of adventures. When you step into the Moss home it is apparent that a story lives there. For Paul, a man known for his Brooklyn accent, passion for the water and zest for life, receiving the diagnosis of ALS was like receiving “one cut at a time,” as Paul would often refer to it. As ALS was taking away certain physical abilities, it never took away Paul’s spirit. Initially, the best choice for Paul and his family was Ridgeview Home Health Services. Home care was vital for Paul. Not only did it allow for life to be as “normal” as possible but it was instrumental in making life comfortable
What is ALS? people often think negatively, but what Dee asks is, “what are you waiting for?” Hospice provided a sense of peace for the Moss family and allowed them to focus on Paul and make those last days memorable. The care hospice provides is essential to making your loved one comfortable. Paul’s life was marked by hard work and dedication that led him to a life on the water and a passion for traveling the world with his soul mate, Dee.
Described as a true patriot and renaissance man, Paul was Paul and Dee Moss loved by all who were fortunate enough to have been in his life, including Edna, his loyal pooch. It’s safe to say Paul is now in As the ALS progressed, Paul and Dee turned sailing heaven on his boat, “Brooklyn Bridge,” to Ridgeview Hospice in their time of need, with smiling down happily. his last day spent at the Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home. Hospice was there to aid in Every member of the Ridgeview Hospice team caring for Paul when his physical abilities were played a role in providing dignity and comfort declining, but more than that hospice was there during Paul’s last days. Hospice is care for the to care for not only body, but mind and spirit. entire person—mind, body and soul—and that’s The music therapy that was offered to Paul was exactly the kind of care that Paul was able to monumental in his care. A list of Paul’s favorite receive. musical pieces, put together by staff, made it easier when the time came to plan Paul’s Losing a loved one is never easy, and often funeral. Paul’s wife, Dee, wants to change the the journey from diagnosis to final days can stigma of hospice. Hearing the word hospice, be scary and marked with questions of what
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (a-mi-oTROE-fik LAT-ur-ul skluh-ROE-sis), or ALS, is a nervous system disease that causes muscle weakness and impacts physical function. ALS is often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, after the famous baseball player who was diagnosed with it. ALS causes nerve cells to gradually break down and die. In most cases, doctors don’t know why ALS occurs. A small number of cases are inherited. ALS often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in an arm or leg, or sometimes with slurring of speech. Eventually, ALS can affect your ability to control the muscles needed to move, speak, eat and breathe. ALS can’t be cured and eventually leads to death. is best. Ridgeview Hospice is there to help with transitions and making last wishes known as well as carried out, allowing your loved one to be cared for with dignity and respect. Whether you have personally been touched by hospice or are unfamiliar with the program, please consider giving support so that others may continue to receive the same benefits provided by Ridgeview Hospice. Ridgeview Hospice care is dependent on charitable donations like yours. Please consider gifting generously so other families may benefit from the programs offered. Support from your tax-deductible gift keeps programs like music therapy, massage therapy and memory making kits a possibility.