Dateline - Hospice Buffalo

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2 Dateline William Finn, President & CEO NEVER A GREATER NEED FOR HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE President/CEO’s Message A spirit of hope is in the air, and the anticipation of change is palpable. As we all share concern about the economic difficulties, we expect that the new administration will also elevate the health care reform debate. The American health care system is second to none, but other developed countries are able to provide similar or better outcomes at a much lower cost. It is well documented that more health care dollars are spent at end of life than any other period in our lives. It is also clear that despite our wishes not to die in a hospital, a majority of Americans (77%) die in an institution rather than at home 1 . This outcome is even more significant in minority communities. When we couple these issues with the fact that the number of Americans over age 85 will double to 10 million by the year 2030 2 , the impending health care crisis is quite concerning. Hospice is part of our health care solution. Hospice delivers what is arguably the highest quality health care in the settings we most prefer, and does this at a cost savings to the health care system. Our major dilemma is that doctors, discharge planners and patients and families access hospice care very, very late in a person’s illness. Hospice is about hope, about living to one’s fullest and enhancing every moment when time is limited to months, not years. Yet nearly 70% of all Hospice patients are with us less than 30 days. Medical education can play an important role in changing our perspectives and understanding of hospice and palliative care. Yet our medical education system is woefully inadequate when considering palliative care education and training. Today, 74% of physician “Nearly 70% of all Hospice patients are with us less than 30 days.” residencies in U.S. offer no training in end-of-life care and 83% of residencies offer no hospice rotation. Furthermore, 41% of medical students never witnessed an attending talking with a dying person or his family, and 35% never discussed the care of a dying patient with a teaching attending. 3 The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care has taken a bold initiative with our partner, The University of Buffalo, to fundamentally change the training and education of the next generation of practitioners and caregivers. We propose to create a national collaborative model for palliative care in our Palliative Care Institute. This program would facilitate palliative care education, training and research with all of the health care departments at The University at Buffalo. UB’s medical school already has a robust partnership with Hospice, and is one of only 17 medical schools to have state-of-the-art medical fellowship training with Hospice and the Veterans Administration hospital. But no university in the country has developed a cross-university commitment to hospice & palliative care. It is our hope and belief that Hospice Buffalo and our education partners can create a world-class model of training, education and research that both improves the quality of care for Western New Yorkers, and can be replicated across the country. Hospice Buffalo has never been stronger, and is able to create value for our patients, family, and community. We continue to lead the nation in innovation and quality at end-of-life. The Board and Leadership of Hospice wish to express our collective gratitude for the overwhelming support that we receive from our devoted donors. This generous support continues to strengthen the organization and enables us to explore and pursue innovative approaches to patient care and family support services. We extend our best wishes and blessing to you and yours for a healthy and bountiful 2009! William E. Finn, President & CEO (1) Teno et al, Brown Site of Death Atlas of the U.S: www.chcr.brown.edu/dying/usa_statistics.htm 1997 and National Mortality Followback Survey); (2) US Census Bureau, CDC, 2003; (3) Billings & Block JAMA 1997;278:733.G.
Crafter Continues Her Arts, Thanks to Hospice Like many people, Dolores Blattenberger, learned about Hospice when she was in the hospital last June. “I was so weak, I couldn’t stand up,” the 79 year-old recalled as she talked in her kitchen. “My body would shake, it was terrible. They did all kinds of testing to find out what it was.” The hospital tests indicated that Dolores had congestive heart failure and that her heart was operating at only ten percent. It looked like Dolores had very little time left to be with her family. The hospital staff referred Dolores to Hospice care and a Hospice nurse came to visit her. She went home with Hospice’s Optimum Care program but soon had to be hospitalized because her severe heart condition was causing her to shake and to not be able to eat. IV fluids were administered and Dolores soon was discharged to the Mary and Ralph Wilson, Jr. Hospice Inpatient Unit. “I was in the Unit about six days,” said Dolores. Under the care of Sue Hebert, NP and Christopher Kerr, M.D., Ph.D., medical director of The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, Dolores was gradually weaned off of powerful multiple IV heart medicines which were thought to be life sustaining. The gradual process occurred over several months and enabled Dolores to regain her freedom to move and to receive rehabilitation at the Hospice Buffalo House at Mitchell Campus, her home away from home for four months. “I think a lot of people, myself included, thought Hospice is just for the last few days of life,” stated Dolores. “At the time, my kids thought so, too, because of how I looked and how I was feeling.” While at the Hospice House, Dolores received daily care from the Hospice home health aides, and regular visits from music therapists, massage therapists and medical care from the Hospice nurse and physician. She made quite a few friends during her stay and was able to return to her home this past October. “The girls at Hospice House are just fabulous,” she smiles. “They just called me today to say hello.” With the visits from her Hospice home care team, Dolores is able to continue doing her knitting and crafts as well as bake one of her favorite treats, pineapple upside down cake. Anne Binga, LMSW with Dolores and Sandra Renner, RN “My family and I think Hospice is wonderful.” 3 Dolores proudly displays a Picasso needle point she completed. “She remembers everything,” added her Hospice social worker, Anne Binga, who sees Dolores regularly and arranged for Meals on Wheels to assist her. “She still drives to the bank and makes short trips. She has a close group of friends who visit with her. She’s very independent.” Each week, or more frequently if needed, Hospice nurse Sandra Renner comes to see Dolores. “How are you sleeping at night?” asked Sandra during a Friday afternoon visit. “Any light headedness?” Dolores affirms she is doing well but experiencing fatigue. The two women admire the beautiful purple sweater that Dolores is creating. Like old friends, they chat about their families and laugh about Dolores’ ability to make conversation. “I’m a talker,” she smiles. In addition to her Hospice social worker and nurse, Dolores also receives care from a Hospice home health aide two times a week to assist with laundry and light housekeeping. She also is seen by Don Blesnuk, a Hospice chaplain. “I want people to know that Hospice is not a death sentence… Hospice staff are very talented and will do everything they can to make you well. They seem to anticipate your needs and watch you so closely. My family and I think Hospice is wonderful.”
Page 1: Serving individuals with serious il
Page 5 and 6: MARCH - APRIL Calendar of Events Sa
Page 7 and 8: SUPPORT GROUPS Hosted by Life Trans
Page 9 and 10: March 4-7, 2009 Presented By: Event
Page 11 and 12: Hospice Memorial Walk Has a New Loc
Page 13 and 14: VIEW OUR NEW HOSPICE FILM ONLINE AT
Page 15 and 16: REMEMBER TO BUY YOUR HOSPICE SPRING

Dateline - Hospice Buffalo

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