Category: Hospice

Fond Memories

Posted on by Hospicare

A Long-time Hospicare Supporter Remembers the Early Years

by Marlaine Darfler

In early 2013 when I read an article about Hospicare’s 30th anniversary, it reminded me of my early experiences with the agency. I clearly remembered being 28 years old, pregnant with my first child, and sitting around a table in 1982 with an impressive collection of professionals from the social work and medical fields of Tompkins County. We were discussing the feasibility of opening the first free-standing Hospice in New York State.

Of course, Nina Miller (Hospicare executive director at the time) was present, inspiring the pack. I was there as the director of Tompkins County information and referral services and as the past aging services specialist through the Tompkins County Office for the Aging (COFA). I may have had titles, but not yet a lot of experience. I was in awe of my older colleagues, and I also think I was more focused on the life flipping around in my belly than the task at hand.

There were several years between those exploratory meetings and the realization of the dream. During that time Hospicare continued to provide services to the community through its offices housed up near the hospital. Although I had stopped my paid employment at that time to care for my baby, those months on that committee affected me deeply, and I knew Hospice work was a calling for me. So I packed up my baby in his carrier and traveled to the Hospicare offices where I first served as the volunteer volunteer coordinator and then later as the volunteer bereavement coordinator. In between, I did a lot of office organization. Paid staff at the agency was a rarity in those days.  

Quickly after baby number one, came baby number two and then baby number three, at which point I took a leave from my volunteer work at Hospicare. I was not, therefore, directly involved with the agency during and right after the building stage, but I followed the development and eventual opening of the Residence with great pride.

Years went by and I returned to work as the social worker at Kendal at Ithaca. There I quickly involved myself with Hospicare again, becoming the liaison between Hospicare and Kendal. A few years later I took a different path and embarked on the journey of massage school. The day I passed my NYS Boards I called up Nina Miller and said, “I’m ready!” Now, as a licensed massage therapist, I have had the honor to bring that skill to Hospicare as a volunteer, and the journey is nowhere near the end, at least as far as I know.

Marlaine Darfler, LMT has been involved with Hospicare since our very beginning. In 2013 we recognized her long-time commitment by presenting her with our Hospicare Volunteer Honor.

3 Reasons to Choose Hospicare As Soon As You Can

Posted on by Hospicare

November is National Hospice Month when our nation recognizes the importance of professional, compassionate end-of-life care. Patients are eligible for hospice when a doctor has certified they have six months or less to live, yet, more than a third of Hospicare’s patients in 2015 only signed up for service in the last seven days of life.

Here are three reasons why it’s better to call Hospicare as soon as possible, rather than waiting until the last weeks or days of life. Many patients find that they are better able to live life to the fullest once they are receiving

  1. Many patients find that they are better able to live life to the fullest once they are receiving Hospicare’s services. With the assistance of hospice team members, their pain and symptoms often become more manageable, and they can enjoy interactions with loved ones more. Also caregivers and family members find they are able to spend more quality time with their ill loved one. Hospicare follows a holistic,
  2. Hospicare follows a holistic, team-approach to end-of-life care. The team includes a doctor specializing in hospice and palliative care, a primary nurse, an aide, a social worker, a spiritual care professional, a bereavement expert and trained volunteers. In addition, patients and their family have access to on-call nurses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hospicare offers professional support for caregivers. The support of social workers, spiritual care professionals and bereavement experts can be crucial to family members who are struggling to support their ill loved one and process their own grief. Many have told us how their burden eased once they had the support of the
  3. Hospicare offers professional support for caregivers. The support of social workers, spiritual care professionals and bereavement experts can be crucial to family members who are struggling to support their ill loved one and process their own grief. Many have told us how their burden eased once they had the support of the Hospicare team to help them manage their loved one’s illness.

It’s an Honor to Volunteer at Hospicare

Posted on by Hospicare

by Cheryl Jewell

I started volunteering at the Nina K. Miller Hospicare Residence in April 2012.I have learned something special from each individual I have encountered.I have been moved by the look in patients’ eyes when I have held their hands and they are unable to speak. I have sat next to others who were unconscious, or who could no longer speak and were unable to open their eyes. I have put my hand on top of their hand and have felt their heartbeat slow down or their hand twitch slightly as they manage to just barely move a muscle. Just bringing a patient a meal or a beverage is  rewarding because they smile or say thank you, and I know they feel loved.

The work I and other volunteers do helps the Hospicare staff as well. Volunteers help make staff members’ jobs easier so they can concentrate on the professional care they are qualified to give, while we can focus on the volunteer work we’re able to do.

Every minute I have volunteered with Hospicare I have learned more about myself and I’ve learned about the patients I have been with.Some patients have told me about their experiences living though World War II or Vietnam. Many have shared cherished memories of all kinds with me.

It is truly an honor to work with Hospicare and to be involved in a patient’s life during their last days.