Watch Faith Hospice on eightWest
Dr. John Mulder, Vice President of Medical Services for Faith Hospice, was interviewed by Rachael Ruiz and Laura Velasquez on eightWest.
(A closed-captioned version of this video is available at YouTube.)
You can also see the segment, as well as the live Q&A that followed, right here: http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/local_guides/about-faith-hospice
August 6th, 2010 | Posted in General | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Dr. John Mulder to speak about hospice
Hear Dr. John Mulder, vice president of medical services for Faith Hospice, speak about hospice care in a radio interview with “Clearly Community” this Sunday, August 8. Times and stations are listed below:
Sunday, 6am
WBFX 101.3 FM
WMAX 96.1 FM
WSNX 104.5 FM
Sunday, 7am
WSHZ 107.9 FM
WOOD 105.7 FM
WBCT 93.7 FM
Sunday, 7:30am
WMUS 106.9 FM
WMRR 101.7 FM
Sunday, 8am
WKBZ 1090 AM
Sunday, 9pm
WOOD Newsradio 1300 AM
Sunday, 9:30pm
WTKG 1230 AM
Thanks again to Dr. Mulder for lending his time to inform the community about hospice care and Faith Hospice.
August 6th, 2010 | Posted in Community | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Faith Hospice chosen as one of 101 Best Companies to work for
We are pleased to announce that Faith Hospice has been chosen as one of the 101 Best Companies to work for in West Michigan!
June 24th, 2010 | Posted in Bereavement, Community, General, Trillium Woods | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Hospice 101 — the hospice experience
In order to help explain what hospice is and what hospice does, we have written a fictionalized account of one family’s journey with Faith Hospice. The story is a composite of many typical hospice experiences.
Tom’s condition was getting worse. Martha could tell. He’d been suffering from congestive heart failure for several years, but lately his symptoms had become more troublesome. So far the doctor had been able to control them by trying different medications, but she suspected this time was different.
She managed to get a doctor’s appointment the following afternoon. It wasn’t easy getting Tom to the office, and by the time they arrived, he was out of breath and very uncomfortable.
The tests revealed what Martha had feared—Tom’s condition wasn’t getting better, as a matter of fact, it had become a lot worse.
“This might be a good time to call hospice,” the doctor said gently.
“Hospice? But that means there’s no hope.” Martha began to cry quietly.
The doctor reached out and put a hand over hers. “There’s always hope. But now instead of aggressively trying to cure Tom, they will concentrate on keeping him comfortable so the two of you can enjoy your time together.”
“How much time—“ Martha didn’t want to ask, but she had to know.
“Generally, we recommend hospice when, if the disease runs its normal course, there’s approximately six months left. However,” the doctor held up a hand as Martha began to protest, “I’ve had patients become so much more comfortable after being treated by hospice that they went off the program for several months. We don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s in God’s hands.”
Martha found that thought comforting. She also found it very comforting that the hospice the doctor recommended, Faith Hospice, embraced the patients’ and families’ spiritual beliefs. She and Tom both took strength from their faith, and now, at this difficult time, it was more important than ever.
That Monday, a registered nurse from Faith Hospice arrived at Martha and Tom’s house for an initial assessment. Martha liked how she listened so carefully, asking thoughtful questions and never making them feel rushed. She explained all the different hospice services, and Martha was amazed at all that would be available to them.
“How are you managing the stairs,” the nurse asked Tom glancing toward the curved, wooden staircase.
“It’s getting harder and harder,” Tom admitted ruefully. “Sometimes I don’t bother to go upstairs, but just sleep down here in my recliner.”
“We can arrange for a hospital bed to be delivered,” the nurse made a note. “I think that will make you much more comfortable.”
The nurse made some further suggestions, and explained that Tom would be assigned to a particular care team. Tom signed the consent forms she brought. By the time she left, Martha felt as if a huge burden had been taken off her shoulders. Tom was going to get excellent care, and Faith Hospice was going to do their best to keep him as comfortable as possible.
The Faith Hospice home health aide made Martha’s life so much easier and provided great comfort to Tom. She helped Tom bathe and dress, and Martha knew it made him feel better to know he was clean and looking his best.
The Faith Hospice physician, in consultation with Tom, his case manager and Tom’s physician, decided on the appropriate medication needed to keep Tom comfortable. Tom and Martha were able to spend their time visiting with family and friends. The children came as often as possible, and they enjoyed big family dinners together just like old times. Martha managed to get to the grocery store thanks to the volunteer respite workers who sat with Tom while she was away. She enjoyed getting out for a bit and even continued to get her hair done every Friday just like always.
“Dad is actually looking a lot better,” their daughter, Ann, commented as she helped her mother clean up after one of their Sunday dinners.
Martha nodded. “The Faith Hospice team is really helping him to stay as comfortable as possible. I’m so grateful for all they’re doing for your father. And for me, too,” she added. “I can’t imagine doing this without them.”
Several months later, Martha slipped while coming down the stairs. Fortunately her ankle wasn’t broken—just sprained. But it made it that much more difficult to care for Tom even with the Faith Hospice staff who came on a regular basis to help. The social worker suggested moving Tom to the Faith Hospice residence, Trillium Woods, in Byron Center. She and Martha also discussed various methods for paying the room and board fees.
Martha went to visit Trillium Woods and was very impressed. There were beautiful lounges, a communal kitchen, private rooms with a pullout sofa should she want to stay overnight with Tom, and a peaceful chapel where they could sit and worship. It felt more like an exquisite private home than a medical setting, and she was very relieved.
Tom was kept as comfortable as possible at Trillium Woods. The weather was warming up, and Martha sometimes pushed Tom in his wheelchair to one of the outdoor patios for lunch. They both enjoyed watching the birds and other creatures frolicking in the grass outside. Although Tom was comfortable, his condition continued to worsen. Martha was glad that twenty-four hour care was available at Trillium Woods. She visited as often as possible, but she was able to take time for herself and keep her own appointments.
Martha arrived on a Wednesday afternoon to discover Tom had a visitor: A small pet therapy dog was keeping him company on the bed.
“Like my new friend?” he asked weakly, putting up a hand to pet the animal.
Martha smiled and stroked the dog’s head. She couldn’t believe how many wonderful things were available at Trillium Woods. Volunteers played music, delivered flowers, washed and cut hair and Tom had even begun working on a family history thanks to a volunteer experienced in genealogy.
Tom received wonderful care at Trillium Woods from the Faith Hospice staff, but as the doctor had warned Martha, his disease eventually began to run its course. He drank little and ate even less. The staff assured Martha that this was perfectly normal. The children came from out of town and son Jeff spent several nights on the pullout sofa in Tom’s room.
Finally, the day Martha had been dreading arrived. When she got to Trillium Woods, she discovered that Tom had lapsed into a coma. She called the children, and they gathered around Tom’s bedside. Martha sat with his hand in hers as they talked and cried. Several hospice staff joined them in prayer and one of the nurses began to sing a beautiful hymn as Tom entered eternal life.
Martha felt a deep sadness, but at the same time, an overwhelming joy at the peace and beauty of Tom’s passing. She thanked the nurses and other staff who had walked with them on this final journey.
One of them put a hand on Martha’s shoulder. “Stay with him as long as you like. And when you’re ready, just let us know.”
Martha and the children talked and cried some more and then Martha told the staff they were ready to let Tom go. A nurse called the funeral home and set in motion the plans that Tom, Martha and the family had agreed on earlier.
The funeral was lovely and provided a great comfort to Martha. A week later a bereavement social worker from Faith Hospice called to check up on her. She explained that it was part of the hospice benefit and Martha was entitled to counseling as well. Faith Hospice offered several support groups, and Martha was able to pick one that suited her schedule. After attending several sessions, and meeting one-on-one with the bereavement social worker, she began to feel her spirits lift slightly.
Every day Martha said a prayer of gratitude for all the help and support she received. When her friend’s mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness, she didn’t hesitate to recommend Faith Hospice. She was so grateful that they had shared this journey with her.
June 24th, 2010 | Posted in Bereavement, Community, General, Trillium Woods | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Grand Rapids Press profiles Faith Hospice volunteer
Faith Hospice is truly blessed by all its wonderful volunteers. On Sunday, May 2nd, one of our faithful volunteers, harpist Phyllis Miner, was profiled in the Grand Rapids Press by Tom Rademacher:
There’s the woman who was diagnosed with cancer and had just two weeks to live. The harp made her sleep, cry, then laugh. “Oh, Phyllis,” she said, “you’re such a blessing to me because, now, I know what it will sound like in heaven.”
Read the full article, ‘Harpist at Faith Hospice at Trillium Woods in Grand Rapids helps patients with their transition.’
May 3rd, 2010 | Posted in Community | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Enjoy food, wine, and a silent auction to benefit Faith Hospice
On Friday, May 7th at 6:00p, John Russo’s Wine Warehouse and Deli and the Dan Pfeiffer Automotive Group will host ‘Primavera: A Celebration of Wine and Food’ at the Applause Event Center, with a silent auction benefitting Faith Hospice. See the attached poster for the full details, or call John Norden at (616) 235-5461.
And remember, you can always support the quality care of Faith Hospice by making a secure online donation through our giving page.
April 16th, 2010 | Posted in Community | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Follow Faith Hospice on Facebook
We’ve joined the social media revolution. Staff, volunteers, supporters and friends can sign up and become fans of Faith Hospice today. This is a great way to interact, here’s what you do:
- Sign-up is easy at facebook.com
- Once a member, type “Faith Hospice” in the search field.
- Once you select Faith Hospice, click on the “become a fan” button – you’ll then be a fan of Faith Hospice on Facebook.
- You can repeat the same process for “Holland Home” and other affiliated companies, “HomeCare of Holland Home” and “In-Home Helpers.”
December 16th, 2009 | Posted in Community | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Spotlight on: Our pet therapy and cosmetology volunteers
“Trillium Woods is heaven on earth,” Donna DeVries. who has been a hospice volunteer since 2000, said about the Faith Hospice residence in Byron Center. “I can’t believe how wonderful the atmosphere is. And the staff are angels. It just amazes me.”
Donna and her six pound Yorkshire Terrier, Barclay, visit Trillium Woods once a week. Donna started as a once a month volunteer but enjoyed it so much she now goes weekly. “It’s quiet and peaceful but not sad or dreary there,” she said. “There’s an underlying joy.”
As a pet therapy dog, Barclay brings his own brand of joy to the staff, patients and families at Trillium. Upon arrival at Trillium, Barclay heads straight for the volunteer office where, according to Donna, he knows he will get a treat from their stash. Then he spends time with the patients. “Anyone who needs a little extra loving,” said Donna.
Barclay forms a bond with the patients who have spent a certain amount of time at Trillium. Donna recalled one woman who always invited Barclay onto her bed where the two of them would share a snack of cheese curls. Donna found it hard to get Barclay’s attention when it was time to leave!
Another woman who was at Trillium Woods for several months really enjoyed Barclay’s visits. Her husband did, too, and they both loved petting the little dog. Donna took Barclay to visit one day and found the woman on the verge of a coma. Her hands were folded on her chest on top of the covers. Barclay took his accustomed position on the bed, and, when he realized the woman was too weak to move, crawled underneath her hands where he rested happily for the duration of their visit.
Donna began Barclay’s training as a puppy by giving him plenty of opportunities for socializing including trips to Walmart where he rode in the cart, and she encouraged patrons to pet him and hold him. Neighborhood children were invited to visit with him, and Donna took him on plenty of walks where he learned to cope around bicycles and children on skates—perfect training for a dog who would spend time “working” around wheelchairs and walkers.
When he was old enough, Donna enrolled Barclay in the West Michigan Therapy Dog’s eight week training course. Barclay got practice negotiating his way around tubes, wires, walkers and other medical paraphernalia without becoming frightened by the strange equipment. He also became acclimated to the smells and sounds of a hospital and practiced visiting on one of the floors. Barclay passed his test with flying colors and went on to get further training ultimately receiving national Delta Society certification.
Not everyone passes the training course, according to Donna. There have been instances where the dogs have done fine, but the owners realized that they themselves were not cut out for this very special type of volunteer work.
Donna, however, said, “I’m the one who’s blessed. I get the blessings out of this.”
For more information on volunteering for Faith Hospice, call 356-4859.
***
“It does something for me. Sometimes I think it makes me feel better than they do,” Carol VanStee said about the six years she’s been volunteering her services as a hairdresser to Faith Hospice.
Carol goes to Trillium Woods, the Faith Hospice residence in Byron Center, once a month to wash, cut and style patients’ hair. “It’s something I can do for the patients,” said Carol, “and they are so appreciative. It makes them feel better.”
The hard part, according to Carol, is getting to know a patient only to lose them several weeks later. Carol credits the training she received from Faith Hospice for enabling her to deal with the emotions this sort of volunteering evokes. “The training helped me feel comfortable in all the different situations I’ve faced as a hospice volunteer.”
Carol said she loves “the hominess of Trillium Woods,” and gives the nurses and aides “so much credit for the wonderful job they do. They don’t just take care of the patients, they make them feel they’re part of a family.”
According to Carol, the nurses and aides don’t hesitate to reach out and touch a hand or stroke an arm. “Touching, to me, says a lot.”
According to Carol, “volunteering takes such a little bit of your time, and you get so much out of it.”
If you are interested in learning more about volunteering for Faith Hospice, please contact our volunteer office at 616-356-4859. Faith Hospice is especially in need of licensed cosmetologists like Carol to provide hair care as well as licensed massage therapists to provide massages for patients and their caregivers both at Trillium Woods and in the community.
December 14th, 2009 | Posted in Community, General, Trillium Woods | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Treasure of a Loved One Memorial Service
Please join us for our fall Memorial Service:
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 – 7:00 pm
Holy Cross Episcopal Church
4252 Breton Road, SE
Kentwood, MI
If you have any questions, please contact 616-235-5291
October 20th, 2009 | Posted in Bereavement, Community, General, Trillium Woods | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
‘Heart of Hospice’ on display at ArtPrize
AmyJo Zabavski, a marketing outreach representative for Faith Hospice, is on exhibit at ArtPrize with ‘Heart of Hospice,’ a series of acrylic on canvas paintings.
“Each piece shares a story of my journey as a social worker at Faith Hospice with patients, families and others affected by the loss of a loved one,” Zabavski said.
The works can be viewed at 53 Commerce SW in downtown Grand Rapids (map) for the duration of ArtPrize. You can also see the work at the ArtPrize website at http://artprize.org/artist/id/3673.
October 6th, 2009 | Posted in Community, General | Share this on Facebook or Twitter