PRESS RELEASE: February 5, 2008 For Immediate Release
MEDIA CONTACT:
Beverly Crowl, Public Relations Specialist
302-547-1816 bcrowl@delawarehospice.org
Cape Henlopen Seniors treated to an afternoon of Delaware Hospice Bingo
Delaware Hospice’s Community Education Coordinator, Jessica Collins, leads an informative game of “Delaware Hospice Bingo” with members of the Cape Henlopen Senior Center. Seated at left: Dolores Brazerol and Betty Stillman on the left, and Sophie Donohoe and Anne Doody on the right.. Seated at the table on the right from left to right: Fran Rittenhouse, Jean Babiarz, Julie Richard, Dolly Pizzi, and George Luckhurst in the foreground..
Delaware Hospice representative, Jessica Collins, met with members of the Cape Henlopen Senior Center to share information concerning Delaware Hospice and end-of-life issues and treated the audience to a unique game of “Delaware Hospice Bingo.”
Jessica gave members an overview of hospice care and discussed unique aspects of Delaware Hospice’s services. She explained that hospice care is for all the family—not just the patient, and that care is provided by a team of professionals including a nurse, certified nursing assistant, social worker, and a chaplain, who strive to personalize that care and meet the particular needs of each family and situation. She said, “Delaware Hospice’s mission is to make quality care available to all patients and families. Unfortunately, too many people wait too long to call us and miss out on the valuable support that is available to them.”
She pointed out some unique features of Delaware Hospice, including its 13-month adult bereavement program; New Hope Program for children who have lost loved ones and its 4-day summer camp; and the Transitions Program, which provides assistance to individuals who are seriously ill but not appropriate for hospice care.
Delaware Hospice is the only not-for-profit hospice in the state of Delaware and never bills patients for services. Jessica pointed out that Delaware Hospice is able to offer its services to the community without charge due to the generosity of individuals who contribute in many ways. Volunteers play a key role in the organization, providing patient support as well as helping out in the offices or at fundraising events. Families often choose Delaware Hospice for memorial gifts; and key fundraising events such as the Festival of Trees bring significant financial assistance to the organization.
Jessica discussed the new option of care which Delaware Hospice will offer in April 2008 when the Delaware Hospice Center opens in Milford. The Delaware Hospice Center will feature specialized hospice care for those who require short-term stays for symptom management. Experienced professionals will provide care 24 hours a day while family members spend quality time with their loved ones. Sixteen private patient/family suites will become a comfortable, peaceful home-away-from home for the family to gather. Caregivers, inexperienced with the more thorough and intimate care needed, will receive education and guidance. A family kitchen, reflection room, children’s alcove, family counseling center, and community resource area will further support the entire family.
The presentation was followed with several testimonials from members of the audience who had benefited from Delaware Hospice’s services and who agreed “they were wonderful.”
The afternoon concluded with “Delaware Hospice Bingo,” where each square contains a word representing a feature of Delaware Hospice’s services. Cape Henlopen Senior Center’s Activities Coordinator, Bernita Hackney, said, “Our members left with a much better understanding of Delaware Hospice’s role in the community, which was reinforced with this fun activity.”
About Delaware Hospice
Since 1982, Delaware Hospice has provided exceptional care and support to 30,000 patients and their families. Its mission is to help each patient, each day, live the fullest, most comfortable life possible. Delaware Hospice is the largest and only licensed, nonprofit, community-based hospice serving New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties in Delaware and southern Chester and Delaware counties in Pennsylvania. For more information about Delaware Hospice’s programs and services, upcoming events, or employment opportunities, call 800-838-9800 or visit our website
Delaware
Hospice is accredited by JCAHO.
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