W I N T E R 2017

I N T H I S I S S U E

PUTTING YOUR LOVED ONE IN THE RIGHT

HANDS:WHAT TO LOOK FOR

IN A HOSPICE PROGRAM 1&3

BUTTERFLY RELEASE 2—

SPRING SOIRÉE 2—

VISIT FROM HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE

ASSOCIATION OF NYS CEO CARLA BRAVEMAN 2

GOLF INVITATIONAL 2—

PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MUSIC CONSERVATORY OF

WESTCHESTER 3—

KEYBANK FOUNDATION 3

LETTER FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 4

—APPRECIATION TO FRIENDS

AND SUPPORTERS 4

— IN CELEBRATION 5

FLOWERS FOR LIFE PROGRAM 5

— VOLUNTEER

OPPORTUNITIES 5—

BEREAVEMENT GROUPS 5

EDUCATIONAL SERIES 6 —

SAVE THE DATE 6—

NATIONAL HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE

MONTH 6

Putting Your Loved One in the Right Hands: What to Look for in a Hospice Program

Hospices differ in their scope of services offered, so family members should look for key components that will best meet the needs of their loved one and the family.

A hospice should offer patients, and their families, access to qualified health care professionals, with a broad range of specialties:

• A physician medical director that oversees and guides the hospice

team in the development of patient care plans, who may also serve as the main contact with the patient’s primary physician.

• Registered Nurses (RNs) that coordi-nate the medical aspects of patient care, including pain management, equipment and supplies, communi-cation with physicians, and education of family caregivers. Some hospices employ RNs with such medical specialties as oncology, cardiac care, pediatrics, or geriatrics that enable them to address the disease-specific requirements of each individual.

Mary K. Spengler, MS, Chief Executive Officer, Hospice of Westchester (HOW)

When a loved one has received a life-limiting diagnosis, planning the next steps can be difficult. Curative medical treatment may no longer be effective or an option, yet your loved one continues to need support and care. Hospice is designed to ensure that a person who is nearing the end of his or her life remains comfortable and at peace physically, emotionally and spiritually.

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w w w . H o s p i c e o f W e s t c h e s t e r . c o m

Celebrating 25 Years!

Hospice of Westchester Staff and Volunteers

L-R: Mary K. Spengler, MS, CEO of HOW; Carla Braveman; Carol Townsend-Ross MPA, BSN, Director of Clinical Services of HOW

Visit from Hospice and Palliative Care Association of NYS CEO Carla BravemanAt the end of July, Carla Braveman, the new CEO of Hospice & Palliative Care Association of NYS, stopped by our offices. In her, we believe that we have a strong advocate with the knowledge and sense of humor required to facilitate support and change. We were privileged to share our program with her and discuss issues that are important to our mission!

Families gathered at HOW’s Memorial Butterfly Release to honor the lives of loved ones who have passed away.

Butterfly ReleaseHundreds of family, friends, and community members gathered for a remembrance ceremony at HOW’s seventh-annual Memorial Butterfly Release on June 4 at the Wainwright

House in Rye.

L-R: Peter and Karen Herrero, owners, Sam’s of Gedney Way; Mary K. Spengler, MS, Chief Executive Officer, HOW; Holly K. Benedict, Director of Public Affairs and Development, HOW; William F. Flooks Jr., Board Member, HOW

H A P P E N I N G S & G AT H E R I N G S

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Spring SoiréeOn May 3, HOW once again partnered with everyone’s favorite local restaurant, Sam’s of Gedney Way in White Plains, for our third annual Spring Soiree. Ten percent of the revenue generated throughout the evening was donated to HOW and earmarked to support our vital programs and compassionate services.

HOW hosted its 15th-annual Golf Invitational on June 20 at Westchester Hills Golf Club in White Plains, where nearly 100 local business leaders and members of the community played the links to support HOW. It was our largest golf event yet, with more than 20 foursomes playing in the benefit. New this year was a women’s golf clinic offered by Westchester Hills Golf Club Pros, where participants were taught full golf swings and short game basics. Special thanks to our sponsors, which include Hildegarde D. Becher Foundation, Inc., Atlantic Tomorrow’s Office, Beecher

Flooks Funeral Home, Inc., Entergy, Polchinski Memorials, Inc., Zanzarella Marketing, and Arroway Chevrolet- Cadillac of Mount Kisco.

Golf Invitational co-chairs and sponsors. L-R: William F. Flooks, Jr., Beecher Flooks Funeral Home; Jack Geoghegan, Hildegarde D. Becher Foundation, Inc.; John Zanzarella, Zanzarella Marketing; Michael Ciaramella, Polchinski Memorials, Inc.; Kenneth Theobalds, Entergy; Bill McLaughlin, Atlantic, Tomorrow’s Office

• Social workers that are able to counsel patients and families dealing with psychological and emotional stresses such as anxiety, guilt or depression. These profes-sionals facilitate communication with members of the family as they learn to respond to the changing needs of the patient. Social workers may also assist in decision making and arrange for necessary community resources.

• Spiritual Counselors that are avail-able to work with patients and their families to provide emotional and spiritual support.

• Home Health Aides, under the supervision of an RN, who provide patients with personal care and assist with daily activities.

• Volunteers that are vital and necessary members of the patients’ care team. They offer many special talents and should be trained in a specific area of service.

Pain, discomfort and other symptoms do not know the difference between day and night. An RN should always be available by phone and ready to make a home visit as necessary. This important service helps to alleviate family and patient stress and enhances patient comfort.

End-of-life care is supportive, with a goal of keeping the patient as comfortable as possible. Patient care frequently focuses on control of pain and disease symptoms. Hospice personnel who keep up with medical and pharmaceutical advances are in the best position to manage each patient’s comfort level through a combination of medications. RNs are particularly skilled in assessing and managing symptoms and scheduling medications to enable patients to remain as alert and free of pain as possible.

Family members are an integral part of caring for a loved one diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. A hospice should view the patient and family as a single unit for care, decision mak-ing, and support. Family members who are empowered by the hospice team to take care of the patient, each other and themselves feel more satisfied and confident in their role as a caregiver. Family involvement can also enhance the patient’s comfort, dignity, and quality of life.

Caring for the “whole” patient is an essential feature of hospice. Mind-body complementary therapies like massage, music therapy, reflexology, etc. can help ease tension, reduce anxiety levels, and improve the overall comfort of the patient. The

hospice should arrange for these therapies to be provided in the patient’s residence.

Caregiver burnout from the isolations and demands of providing care and support is not unusual. Therefore, hospices should be able to provide periods of “respite” care, usually involving a short in-patient stay, to give caregivers necessary relief from the physical and mental stresses they experience.

Following the loss of a loved one, feelings of grief can be intense and unpredictable. Hospices should provide bereavement services for 13 months following the loss of a loved one. Trained bereavement counselors talk to family members and assist them in the process of healing and adjusting to their loss. Services are usually provided individually, in groups or through educational workshops.

A comprehensive hospice program strives to bring comfort to patients and families alike, allowing them to share the patient’s end of life with dignity, peace and respect. The hallmark of a good hospice program is the recognition of the uniqueness of each individual and the ability of the team to be guided by the wishes of those they serve.

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In November, HOW received a $10,000 grant from the KeyBank Foundation, which has been earmarked for the heart of our organization, hospice home care services.

Partnership with the Music Conservatory of WestchesterWe are thrilled to announce that we have partnered with the Music Conservatory of Westchester and its Music Therapy Institute (MTI) to provide services to our patients through The Anna & Louis H. Shereff Complementary Care Program.

We are delighted about our new partnership. All of the providers are educated music therapists at the Masters level with wonderful experience – it will be a great addition to the care we provide for our patients.

L-R: Sloan Saverine, Trust Officer and VP, Key Private Bank; Mary K. Spengler, MS, Chief Executive Officer, HOW; Holly K. Benedict, Director of Public Affairs and Development, HOW; Joseph F. Markey, President, Hudson Valley Metro/NY Market, KeyBank

A N N O U N C E M E N T S

Hospice of Westchester is a private not-for-profit, tax exempt

agency that is certified by the federal government, licensed by the New York

State Department of Health, as well as accredited by the Community Health

Accreditation Program (CHAP).

APPRECIATION TO FRIENDS AND

SUPPORTERS OF HOSPICE OF WESTCHESTER

For 25 years, HOW has served as an integral and solid member of the

Westchester County community by providing exceptional, end-of-life

care that emphasizes compassion, dignity and respect. We continue

to rely on the dedication of you and other community members who

have supported us throughout our history. We would like to thank our donors for the essential role they

have played in our continued success. Your dedication to our

organization has made it possible for us to give patients and their families the assurance that they will receive the highest quality of care during their most important

journey. It is through this combined effort that we remain the “Hospice of Choice” in Westchester County. Please continue this tradition by

making a year-end, tax-deductible gift to HOW using the enclosed

envelope.

For further information, please contact Holly K. Benedict, director of development and public relations, at 914-682-1484 ext. 122. We know

that without your help, we would not have been able to accomplish all

that we have over the last 25 years. We are eternally grateful for all that

you continue to do.

THIS YEAR, WE CELEBRATED OUR 25TH

ANNIVERSARY OF PROVIDING EXCEPTIONAL

HOSPICE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO

RESIDENTS OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

HOW was established in 1992 with a dedication to providing exceptional

end-of-life care to County residents. We have come a long way since we

opened our doors. Over the last 25 years, we have been privileged to

provide hospice services to thousands of patients and their families. Our

extraordinary staff celebrates and exemplifies our mission and values of

respect, integrity, dignity, teamwork and excellence as they guide our

patients and their families through the multiple dimensions of end-of-life care.

This has been an active year for our organization, and we want to share with

you the accomplishments we have achieved thanks to the dedication and

leadership of our tireless staff, volunteers, board of directors, supporters and

friends. Earlier this year, we were honored to be recognized by the Wain-

wright House with their “Heart and Soul” award. In addition, we are proud

to say that we have once again met all 20 standards of charitable accountability

established by the Better Business Bureau and received designation as an

accredited nonprofit. We also recently launched a partnership with the Music

Conservatory of Westchester’s Music Therapy Institute to provide services

to our patients through The Anna & Louis H. Shereff Complementary Care

Program.

Each year, more than 1.6 million Americans seek hospice for end-of-life

care, which accounts for more than half of all deaths in our country. As

the number of patients dependent on our care have increased, so has the

cost to care for them. Despite the fact that the number of patients and

families served by hospice has steadily increased over the past several years,

reimbursement rates have been cut dramatically. It is important to note that

HOW has continued to maintain and offer its exceptional clinical expertise

to our patients and their families. We are proud to say the financial cuts

have had no impact on the compassionate care we offer to our patients.

The losses, however, have required us to be even more dependent on the

generosity of our donors and supporters.

Thank you for your continued support and generosity. Our best wishes to

you and your family for a peaceful and healthy holiday season!

Mary K. Spengler, MS

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Letter from the Chief Executive Officer

V O L U N T E E R O P P O R T U N I T I E S

OUR SINCERE THANKS AND APPRECIATION TO TRADER JOE’S IN HARTSDALE WHO DONATE FLOWERS TO HOW TWICE A WEEK. Our office volunteers who help with our “Flowers for Life” program arrange the donated flowers in small vases, and our staff members bring these lovely bouquets to our patients weekly.

Back row (L-R): William F. Flooks, Jr., event co-chair and sponsor, Beecher Flooks Funeral Home, Inc.; Terry Geller, DDS, event co-chair; Michele Fraser Geller, event co-chair and sponsor; Stone Phillips, special guest speaker; Mary K. Spengler, MS, HOW chief executive officer; Jack Geoghegan, sponsor, The Hildegarde D. Becher Foundation, Inc.; Michael Vitale, board member

Front row (L-R): Jesse Shereff, grand sponsor; Rochelle Shereff, grand sponsor; Mary Gadomski, sponsor, VNS Westchester; Susan Yubas, HOW board chair; Susan Fox, sponsor, White Plains Hospital; James P. O’Toole, event co-chair and emcee

Mary Gibbons Gardiner, board member; Susan Yubas, event co-chair, board chair; Max Gaujean, Esq., sponsor, Brown, Gruttadaro, Gaujean, Prato & Sastow, PLLC

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HOW hosted its 16th-annual “In Celebration” gala on September

28 at Westchester Country Club in Rye, featuring special guest

speaker Stone Phillips. In honor of our 25th anniversary, this year’s

event honored HOW’s exceptional and compassionate staff and

volunteers, as well as our patients and their families. The event

also celebrated the life of Anna L. Shereff, founder of the Anna &

Louis H. Shereff Caregiver and Complementary Care Programs.

Fall/Winter Bereavement Support Groups• Daytime Spouse/Partner Loss

• Evening Parent Loss

• “Flying Solo” spousal loss after a year (for women)

• Comfort Crew Child/Family Bereavement Program

• Coping With The Holidays workshop

Please contact our bereavement department for further information regarding dates, times and registration.

Karen Dreher, LCSW-RBereavement Coordinator914-682-1484 ext. 130

Kim Gordon, MHC-LP, CT Bereavement Coordinator914-682-1484 ext. 163

Bruce Page, MAT, MDivDirector of Volunteer ServicesBereavement Coordinator914-682-1484, ext. 118

B E R E AV E M E N T G R O U P S

F L O W E R S F O R L I F E P R O G R A M

Staff members at Traders Joe’s, Hartsdale and Hospice of Westchester staff and volunteers who take part in our Flowers for Life Program.

Our Volunteer Department is always seeking warm and compas-sionate individuals to volunteer with our patients and help in the office.

We will be offering an accelerated training opportunity for our Comfort Crew children’s bereavement support program (meets every other Wednesday evening). Two 5-hour Saturday sessions in No-vember will be available to those interested, along with observation of our already active volunteer facilitators.

Our department is working with HOW’s Bereavement Department and Spiritual Care Department about skill enhancement oppor-tunities in these areas for existing volunteers.

For further information, please call Bruce Page, Director of Volunteers, at 914-682-1484 ext. 118.

1025 Westchester Avenue, Suite 200White Plains, NY 10604

B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S

Susan Yubas, ChairKathleen McArdle, Vice ChairJoanne Ciaramella, Esq., Secretary George Whitehead, Treasurer

Barbara CostelloWilliam F. Flooks, Jr. Mary GadomskiBarbara GaughanMichele Fraser GellerMary Gibbons GardinerPeggy LoCastroMichael Palumbo, MDCharles TrainorMichael Vitale

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. postage

PAIDpermit # 1291

White Plains,NY10601-4403

NATIONAL HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE MONTHIn 1992, the month of November was designated as

National Hospice & Palliative Care Month, designed to raise

awareness of hospice and palliative care within the

community. The message shared throughout the month is

that hospice care help patients and families focus on living.

Hospice of Westchester is a private, not-for-profit, tax-exempt agency.If this was received in error, please call 914-682-1484 ext 122.

Hospice of Westchester strives to provide extraordinary and dignified comfort, care and compassion to individuals and families facing a serious or life-limiting illness.

O U R M I S S I O N

H O S P I C E O F W E S T C H E S T E R : M A K I N G T H E M O S T O F E A C H D AY.

In an effort to continue to offer the highest quality of care to our patients and their families, HOW is committed to providing ongoing educational opportuni-ties to our staff throughout the

year. We are grateful for the support of Antonia Benfield and the Edward M. Simas Educational Fund.

A well-attended presentation was given by David A. Chmielewski, MD, a specialist in hospice and palliative medicine practicing in New City. He presented on “Evidence Based Practice in End of life Symptom Control.”

In addition, the HOW Pediatric Team presented “The Transition to Home Hospice Care” at the Perinatal and Neonatal Comfort Care: A Multidisciplinary Approach Conference at NY Presbyterian Hospital.

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SAVE THE DATENovember 29, 2017

TREE OF LIFE Friends, families and community members are invited to

remember a loved one by purchasing a gold star in their memory. The evening also includes a reception with entertainment.

Hilton Westchester5:30-7:00pm

For further information about the event or to make reservations, please call Holly K. Benedict at 914-682-1484 ext. 122.