By Barbara A. Killmeyer

Our immediate family is small, consisting of my husband and me, our two sons, two daughters-in-law and two grandchildren. I am happiest when we all get together, no matter what the occasion.

I was thinking the other day about the many changes a family experiences. We begin as part of our parent’s family. At some point many of us marry and have families of our own. Our children do the same and the family continues to grow. I find it difficult to believe that someday I will have great, great, great, grandchildren who will probably never have heard of me, but I will be a part of them just as I am now a part of my grandparents many “greats” back.

Families undergo other changes too. Often children, after they are grown, must move away in order to follow their career paths. At times years may go by before they are able to visit and renew ties with parents and siblings. In the meantime, they have had to develop “families” in the places where they now reside. These connections are important because they provide the sense of belonging that we all need.

There are times, too, when we can reach out to help someone by including them, even temporarily, in our family holiday festivities. This is one sure way to not only brighten a holiday for someone else, but to make your own celebration more meaningful. We have done this and I would recommend it without reservation. Several weeks, or even months if possible, before a holiday, visit a nursing home in your area and ask the staff to introduce you to someone who is able to go out for a day, but has no one who will take them. Visit with this person a few times so you can get to know each other. Then, when a holiday such as Thanksgiving or Christmas comes around, welcome them into your family. Have them join you for a holiday dinner. You will give that person the best gift possible, and you will feel such gratitude knowing that you have enough to share with another person. It would be a good idea to find out beforehand if they have any dietary restrictions so they won’t eat anything that might be harmful or upsetting to them.

A family is a special thing whether it is biological, a family of friends or inclusion in the family of a kind and generous person. Let’s give thanks on this Thanksgiving Day for the blessings of family and friends.

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Hospice—It’s About Life

By Elizabeth Stroud

Hospice. For some, that one simple word conjures a feeling of sadness… an acknowledgement of illness… impending death. But for so many individuals who have realized the benefits of hospice care for a loved one, they know it is not about death, but life. Not about dying – but living. November is National Hospice Month – a time to recognize this distinctive philosophy of holistic care for those experiencing a life-limiting illness. Additionally, National Hospice Month is set aside to acknowledge the specially trained professionals who nurture physically, emotionally, and spiritually in an effort for their dying patients to realize peaceful, dignified deaths.

Founded on Christian principles by Dame Cicely Saunders in 1967, Hospice Care originated in England and came to the United States in the mid 1970s. National statistics show that there are more than 3,000 programs currently serving those facing life-limiting illnesses. Hospice has grown from a volunteer driven movement to licensed and certified programs providing supportive care for people who would have died alone, without support, or in a sterile hospital setting. In recent years, more than a million people have been cared for annually by hospice programs in the United States alone. Hospice team members – physicians, nurses, nurse aides, chaplains, counselors, social workers, therapists and volunteers, are specialists in end-of-life care. The focus of the care is on comfort, when curative treatment is no longer possible. And at the foundation of that care is respect for life, care with dignity, peace and comfort.

Unfortunately, many people have a misconception of what hospice care is and when it is needed. Because of these preconceived ideas about hospice care, more often than not referrals for care are not made until days…sometimes even hours, prior to a person’s death. That’s far from what hospice care was meant to be. Hospice intervention is more beneficial when a referral is made early on. Medicare guidelines suggest that hospices become involved in a patient’s care when the prognosis is six months or less, if the disease follows normal progression. Such early intervention allows the patient and their loved ones time to build trust with the hospice staff, and it provides an opportunity to receive support from each member of the hospice team. This multidisciplined support serves to enhance quality of life.

In today’s society, with numerous hospices to choose from, educating oneself about hospice services prior to needing care is crucial. By law, it is the patient’s choice as to who provides their care, therefore it is essential that anyone who needs hospice care, interview a program to be sure that their needs will be met. Reality is that hospices are independent of one another…and no two are created equal, so be sure to find the one that is right for you.

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From Daycare to Personal Care, The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth are focused on Family

When was the last time you were on the campus of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth at 301 Bellevue Road? You may be surprised what you find there. A lot of you know the campus from driving by on I279 and seeing the large brick wall separating the highway from the Sisters, but did you know there are four active missions on the campus?

Holy Family Manor Personal Care Home, the former retirement home of the Sisters, was recently partially converted to a personal care home and is planning a future expansion of beds. “Residents from all walks of life are welcome. Come meet the friends you never knew you had,” says Sister Carol Szott, Administrator.

Everyday, 185 children attend preschool right across the drive from Holy Family Manor. Sister Audrey Merski, director of Mt. Nazareth Learning Center, likes to mention that “sometimes we bring in visiting sisters to work in the daycare to decide if that is a ministry that they wish to pursue.”

Comfort Keepers is the newest venture for the Sisters – providing private duty personal care in the home for seniors and younger disabled individuals. Sue Roselle, director, has been in homecare most of her professional career and she is excited: “The blend of the mission of the Sisters with private duty homecare is a great fit; it really attracts terrific caregivers.”

Bill Vandivier, director for Nazareth Housing focuses on housing needs in the surrounding community. “What we are known for is looking out for the low income seniors in need of home repair. What people may not know about us is that we also do first time home buyer premortgage counseling and pre-foreclosure counseling for individuals and couples of any age,” says Vandivier.

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For more activities of interest to seniors, see What's Happening for Seniors.