Hospice of the Western Reserve Helps Patients Make the Most of Life

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Nov 21, 2014, 06:00 ET

CLEVELAND, Nov. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hospice is about more than care for the dying; it makes meaningful moments possible even when a person is facing a serious or even terminal illness. One of the great myths of hospice for families who have never experienced it is that it is focused only on "brink of death" care, and is appropriate only in the final few days of life.

In actuality, when patients are admitted to hospice at the appropriate time – when there are weeks or months rather than days - hospice has an opportunity to do its best work, focusing not only on controlling pain, but on supporting the entire family and focusing on achieving the best quality of life possible.

What makes a good death? This is a question that many people prefer not to think about in their day-to-day lives. "For most, a good death is quite simple. It means being physically comfortable, at peace in their own homes and surrounded by loved ones," said Bill Finn, CEO, Hospice of the Western Reserve. "Just as importantly, it means doing the things they love to do up until the very end. These are the essential details made possible by our hospice care teams."

As one of the nation's largest and most experienced nonprofit hospice agencies, Hospice of the Western Reserve offers an unparalleled number of life enrichment events in the Northeast Ohio region geared toward providing a more meaningful, fulfilling or rewarding end-of-life experiences. In the past year, the agency has fulfilled more than 750 special wishes for patients and their families.

Patients Enjoy Special Memories

Stanley "Butch" Butchar, a stage 4 prostate cancer patient, was being cared for in his home by Hospice of the Western Reserve. His care team wanted to give him a special day to look forward to so he could spend quality time with his wife. The nonprofit agency and school teamed up to provide a day of pampering.

Click here to view Stanley's and Sharon's day at pampering at the Lorain County JVS.

On an early spring day, Butchar and his wife, Sharon, sat side by side in the salon at the Lorain County Joint Vocational School (JVS) in Oberlin, their feet soaking luxuriously in a bubbling foot bath. They can feel their tensions slipping away as they chat with the cosmetology students providing the couple with his and her pedicures. It was a new experience for Butch, a blue collar "man's man" who was employed for years as a carpenter. "Don't tell the guys about this," he joked to his wife with a conspiratorial wink.

Following their "spa treatment," Stanley and Sharon were escorted to the school's Buckeye Room, where they enjoyed a gourmet lunch prepared by the JVS Culinary Arts students. After lunch, the couple was treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the school's bakery. The Bakery and Pastry arts students prepared a plate of gourmet cookies for them to take home. The day ended with a tour of the school's greenhouse, where the couple received a springtime bouquet of flowers.

Wishes granted through Hospice of the Western Reserve's life enrichment program are as diverse as the patients and their interests. A mother-daughter trip to the Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland. A visit to Cleveland Browns Training Camp and a chance to meet and shake hands with the players and coach. A personal "Cruise In" in the hospice house parking lot complete with '50s music provided by a live deejay, a popcorn machine and rows of gleaming classic cars on display.

Generous support from individual donors, foundations and the community allow Hospice of the Western Reserve to customize a diverse range of experiences that are limited only by the patient's imagination and interests.

About Hospice of the Western Reserve
Founded in 1978, Hospice of the Western Reserve has grown in response to community needs. The nonprofit agency offers one of the largest community hospice programs in the country. Its calling extends far beyond "typical hospice care" to serving the most vulnerable, including a pediatric program for children with life-threatening illnesses, grief support and crisis response for schools, and specialized end-of-life care for the most complex cases. For more information, call 800-707-8922 or visit hospicewr.org.

Media contact: Laurie Henrichsen, 216.701.1768, or [email protected]

SOURCE Hospice of the Western Reserve