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MEMORIAL HOSPITAL: info@memorialhospital.org

Copyright 2005
Memorial Hospital, Inc. Towanda, Pennsylvania
All Rights Reserved

A Passion For Helping People

Have you ever had to face the heartbreaking news that a loved one has a terminal illness?

Did you ever feel like there was no place to turn for much needed support?

Memorial Hospital's Hospice team is ready to help!

Most people do not want to face the end of life alone in a sterile, impersonal surrounding, hooked up with tubes to machines and cut off from their family and friends. Nor do they want to die in pain. Most often they prefer, if possible, to spend their last days at home, alert and free of pain, among the people and things they love.

Hospice is dedicated to making this possible!

Disa Delauro, RN
Hospice Administrator

Do you have questions about how Hospice can help you?
We offer FREE evaluations and consultations.
Call Disa at 570-268-2374 or toll free 1-800-757-1764.

These hospice volunteers are wonderful caring people who have completed the training program and have worked with patients and their families for several years. Pictured, from left, Jean Spencer, Kim Harris, Carol Wright and Trudy Ventello.

"Hospice volunteers are absolutely vital in fulfilling hospice's mission to care for dying people and their families," says Trudy Ventello, LSW, volunteer coordinator for Memorial Hospital's hospice program.

Volunteers allow hospice to provide services it otherwise could not offer. Duties vary, but volunteers are usually counted on to: keep a patient company, provide a link to the hospice staff, be a support person, do chores around the house, run errands and provide physical care.

Memorial Hospital's hospice program has a team of 20 committed hospice volunteers who perform duties such as providing administrative assistance in the office, taking care of terminally ill patients and their caregivers, and offering bereavement support to families.

"These wonderful volunteers give their time and talents and are an essential part of the meaningful experience that hospice care offers", says Ventello. We all need to be reminded of the value of family, community and the power of committed individuals to do good for others. Volunteering for hospice offers a chance to "serve goals larger than self."

There are many interesting volunteer opportunities to explore from providing patient care and caregiver relief to bereavement camp and fund raising.

Interested in becoming a hospice volunteer or do you have questions about hospice care? Contact Trudy Ventello, LSW, Memorial Hospital hospice volunteer coordinator at 268-2233.

What is Hospice?

• Living life to its fullest and choosing a good death.
  
  
• Care coordinated by a team of professionals including nurses, social workers, aides, spiritual advisor, and physician. The patient and family are the most important members of the team.
  
  
• Staying at home or in a comfortable environment surrounded by loved ones.
  
  
• Being comfortable and content physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
  
  
• For people who are not expected to recover and quite possibly will live 6 months or less.
  
  
• Patient does not need to be homebound.
  
  
• Provides medications, supplies and equipment necessary for patient care.
  
  
• Referrals for Hospice evaluation can be made by ANYONE, however a physician must certify that the patient is eligible for Hospice care.
  
  
• Medicare and most insurance companies pay for Hospice care.
  

Who is eligible for hospice?
An individual is generally eligible for Hospice once he or she is certified by a physician as having a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less. Hospice is available to all terminally ill individuals and their families regardless of their age, gender, race, nationality, creed, sexual orientation or physical condition.

How can a terminally ill patient be admitted to the Hospice program?
Referrals to hospice can come from anyone, the patient, family, neighbors, pastor, or any source. However, each referral must be approved by the patient's physician.

Bereavement Support Services
For 13 months following the death of your loved one, a social worker from the Memorial Hospital Hospice Program will be available to provide you with bereavement support. Also during this time periodic contacts will be made by trained hospice volunteers. Our bereavement services include:

• Monthly bereavement support group
• Monthly mailings with information pertinent to the grieving process
• Information and referral as needed to other appropriate organizations and services
• Memorial services

Bereavement Support Group
This free monthly support group is for anyone needing help or guidance in recovering from the loss of a loved one. Contact Susan Black at 1-800-757-1764 or 265-2464 for more information. This support group is held on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. in Memorial Hospital's Library.

Memorial Hospital Hospice is licensed by the Pennsylvania State Department of Health. Our Hospice program is also approved by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

For further information about Hospice Services at Memorial Hospital, call 1-570-265-2464 OR 1-800-757-1764.

Disa DeLauro Registered Nurse Administrator	Jean Lindsey Administrative Asstistant	Corrine Tucci Registered Nurse	Sharon Cullen Registered Nurse
Diana Milliron Registered Nurse	Kathy Morrison Registered Nurse	Bonnie Stoddard Registered Nurse	Carole Gehring Licensed Practical Nurse
Regina Yates Lifeline Technician Aide	Nancy Compton Aide	Sharon Cobb Physical Therapist	Karla Green Occupational Therapist
Melinda Coates Occupational Therapist	Carrie Riley Speech Language Pathologist	Susan Black Social Worker	Trudy Ventello Social Worker

Related Link:

• Home Health