Program serves as helping hand
By Michael Short, Sussex PostGEORGETOWN — The cover of the brochure explaining the Delaware Hospice Transitions program features a drawing of a starfish.
“That’s because it’s one person at a time,” explained Transitions Coordinator M. Allen Morris. It’s a reference to the story of a child throwing starfish back into the sea one at a time. When an adult explains that there are so many starfish that saving one at a time can’t possibly make a difference, the child replies “It made a difference to that one.”
Mr. Morris is coordinator of the Georgetown Transitions program, a relatively new Delaware Hospice program available in all three Delaware counties, which is aimed at people who are seriously ill, but who are not ready for the traditional Hospice program.
It is meant as a way of reaching people earlier, before they reach a crisis mode. In the Transitions program, Mr. Morris explained that people can discuss their needs and desires and the program can help provide whatever is necessary, whether it is transportation or food or a wheelchair or a support group.
“Every situation is different. Every illness is different,” Mr. Morris said.
He always meets people in person the first time and it’s nothing for Mr. Morris to spend hours on the phone with clients. He is quick to praise the Hospice volunteers and to say that Transitions doesn’t just help the person with an illness. It is meant to give a respite to caregivers, to relieve family members and to help the entire family.
Transitions does not provide medical treatment. But it does provide a full gamut of services which includes connecting people with Legal Aid if they have legal questions, setting up delivery from Meals on Wheels, providing volunteers to drive people to doctor’s appointments or connecting people with support groups for various illnesses.
“We never bill a family,” Mr. Morris said. “We are just going to take care of folks no matter what...We help the whole family.”
The Transitions brochure says “Transitions offers consistent, caring support for people and their families struggling with all aspects of a serious illness. The Transitions Coordinators provide emotional comfort throughout the long journey of the illness and keep in touch with the individual and their family.”
“It’s very rewarding. There is a tremendous need out there and I feel very blessed to be part of Hospice,” Mr. Morris said.
“It’s helping folks get whatever it is they need. I will do whatever I can to try to help them.”
For more information on Transitions, call Delaware Hospice at (800) 838-9800 or visit www.delawarehospice.org or contact the Georgetown office at 856-7717.
Delaware
Hospice is accredited by JCAHO.
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