CALENDAR OF EVENTS Activities August 23 Bereavement Volunteer Training 50 Moffett Street, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Family Hospice is available to caregivers for up to 13 months following the death of a loved one. Volunteers play a significant role in the support of the bereaved. An additional training will be offered on August 27 and 28 for those who prefer evening training. To learn more, contact the Bereavement Department at 412-572-8829. September 6 Annual Memorial Walk & Run North Shore Riverfront Park (by Bettis Grille 36). Check-in and preliminary activities begin at 8:30 a.m.; Walk and Run begins at 10 a.m. See page 3 for details. Register at FamilyHospicePA.org or call Christine Jamison at 412-572-8812 by August 22. Proceeds benefit patient and family programs. September 20 Family Treasures Sale 50 Moffett Street, Mt. Lebanon. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. High-quality goods for resale. See ad on page 2. Presented by Friends of Family Hospice. All proceeds benefit patient and family programs. October 4 Patient Volunteer Training 50 Moffett Street, Mt. Lebanon. Contact Nick Petti, Manager of Volunteers, at 412-572-8806 or via e-mail, npetti@ FamilyHospicePA.org, for more information and registration.
Education for Professionals August 27 Communicating Bad News – Developing the Right Message Weatherwood Manor, 896 Weatherwood Lane, Greensburg, 8:30 to 11 a.m. Two free continuing education credits for RNs, MSWs, NHAs and PCHAs. Light breakfast served. R.S.V.P. by August 25. Contact Louise Farelli, lfarelli@FamilyHospicePA.org, 412-651-2591 or Julie Alakson, alaksonjc@upmc.edu, 412-582-5013.
Bereavement September 27 Triumph Over Loss Auberle’s Therapeutic Challenge Course, 1101 Hartman Street McKeesport. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For grieving teenagers ages 13 – 18 and their caregivers. Pre-registration required. Contact our Bereavement Department at 412-572-8829 or visit FamilyHospicePA.org for information and registration. October 1 Growing Through Grief – Rebuilding Hope Southminster House, 801 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon. Runs six consecutive Tuesdays through Nov.5 from 1 to 3 p.m. Pre-registration required. Contact the Bereavement Department at 412-572-8829 or visit FamilyHospicePA.org for information and registration. October 19 Fall Ecumenical Memorial Service St. Paul’s Cathedral, Fifth Avenue, Oakland. 3 p.m. Light reception follows. For information or to volunteer in support of the event, call 412-572-8829.
August 28 Communicating Bad News – Developing the Right Message Arrowood Independent Living, 512 Lewis Run Road, West Mifflin, 4 to 6:30 p.m. Two free continuing education units for RNs, SWs, NHAs and PCHAs. Light dinner served. R.S.V.P. by August 25 to Christina Romel, cromel@ltcmail.com, 412-651-1711.
Caregiver Support
September 10 Pain and Symptom Management with the Critically Ill Patient Presbyterian SeniorCare, 835 South Main Street, Hillsview Chapel, Washington, 4 to 6:30 p.m. Two free continuing education units for RNs, SWs, NHAs and PCHAs. R.S.V.P. to Kelley Mercurio, 724-223-5676, kmercurio@SrCare.org.
Caregiver Training ProgramTM All sessions are offered by appointment. Contact Cathy Lattore, 412-651-2568. Family Hospice Inpatient Center/ Mt. Lebanon 50 Moffett Street, Mt. Lebanon. Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to Noon. Family Hospice Inpatient Center/ Lawrenceville 310 Fisk Street, Pittsburgh 15201. Grove City Medical Center 631 North Broad Street, Grove City. Fridays. All Bereavement and Caregiver Training Programs are offered at no cost.
Family Hospice & Palliative Care 50 Moffett Street Pittsburgh, PA 15243
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Pittsburgh, PA Permit No. 02743
2014 SUMMER NEWSLETTER
Having “The Talk” O
n a recent Tuesday afternoon in July, Family Hospice and Palliative Care Social Worker Jane Barthen stood up to address a large audience of residents at Providence Point in Mt. Lebanon. “You need to hear about my marital problems,” Jane began. “A few mornings ago, my beloved husband of 30 years asked me what I wanted for dinner that night. I suggested Italian. He said, ‘how about Chinese?’ to which I replied, ‘No, I’d prefer Italian.’” Later that night she came home to Chinese. Jane asked, “Why did you ask me if your intention all along was Chinese?” to which her husband replied, “I thought maybe you’d change your mind by 5 o’clock.”
Paying It Forward Every day for the last ten years, Lois O’Connor and M. Elinor Fleming, “Doe” and “Elly” respectively, called each other at nine o’clock in the morning. Cousins who became steadfast friends, each checked to make sure the other was safe and well. But beyond that, the richness of their friendship was such that Doe and Elly simply took delight in the sound of the other’s voice, reflecting on the news of the day and recollecting past escapades. Doe and Elly remained united even when opinions differed, especially when fun was afoot, and regardless of physical separation. Some years back, the pair dressed as flappers and surprised guests at a family reunion by performing an entire revue of songs; when Doe described the adventure recently, it was with an enduring joy. So when Elly received a diagnosis of end-stage pancreatic cancer earlier this year, Doe was, by her own admission, devastated. Elly’s response was different. She said, “Well, Doe, that means I’ve got to take a look at my life.” Doe recognized Elly’s characteristic willingness to accept her circumstances, born of a life well-lived and an abiding faith, manifest in her many years of service as a respected and beloved Christian Education Director throughout the region. “Everybody that knew her adored her,” Doe shared. “She had a dry sense of humor and didn’t take anything too seriously, least of all herself. She had empathy.”
Mission Statement The Mission of Family Hospice and Palliative Care is to provide compassionate, quality comfort care that enhances the lives of people with life-limiting illness and their families.
Board of Directors Doe followed her friend’s example of gratitude by making a financial contribution to Family Hospice and Palliative Care in Elly’s honor. She felt her gift could serve as a kind of “scholarship” for someone who might not otherwise be able to access the care that allowed Elly to live out her life in comfort and dignity in the environment of her choice. It’s a gift reflecting their years of friendship. “You do it,” said Doe of her contribution, “because it’s what your heart tells you.” Contributions to Family Hospice made by grateful family members and friends make up the largest percentage of the organization’s philanthropic support. Funds are used to provide services for those eligible for hospice but whose care is not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. Support from donors also aids the organization’s outreach to bereaved family members, including support groups for adults and one-day camps for children and teens grieving the loss of a loved one. To learn how you can “pay it forward,” contact Lynn Helbling Sirinek,Vice President of Philanthropy, at 412-572-8874 or lhsirinek@FamilyHospicePA.org.
“The moral of the story,” explained Jane as the laughter subsided, “is that even after 30 years, you still may not know what your loved one wants.” Jane offered this anecdote as part of a panel discussion on the value of talking with your loved ones about what you want should your health decline. The event at Providence Point was hosted by Family Hospice volunteers Nancy Gannon, Carole Gilardi and Carol Vockel. Labeled simply “The Talk,” Family Hospice is facilitating an ongoing series of these discussions throughout the community. Joining Jane on the panel at Providence Point was Family Hospice Team Physician Dr. Myles Zuckerman and Elder Law Attorney Karen Timko of Julian Gray Associates. While completing a written document such as an advance directive is an important measure in conveying your wishes, all three panelists emphasized that dialogue among caregivers most effectively alleviates the potential for guilt and second-guessing that can haunt loved ones. “Without conversation, there are empty spaces left that can create a burden in decision making,” explained Karen. Ideally, the conversation should be ongoing and take place before a health crisis occurs.
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Robert E. Butter, Chair Deborah Brodine, Vice Chair Bruce Austin, Secretary Paul Winkler, Immediate Past Chair Kathi R. Boyle Kimberly Ward Burns
David Friedland, MD Robert C. Jackson, Jr. Joseph E. Kennedy Barry C. Lembersky, MD Lisa Turbeville Markowski Sandra Tomlinson G. Alan Yeasted, MD
Barbara Ivanko, President and CEO Franco Insana, Treasurer
Institutional Advancement Committee Lisa Turbeville Markowski, Chair Robert E. Butter Ruth G. Foltz Robert A. Frank Nancy F. Gannon
Caroline Hellwig Jane D. Johnson Joseph E. Kennedy Lila Prezioso Christine McMahon Tumpson
FamilyHospicePA.org