Four Seasons Blog

FOUR SEASONS’ PHYSICIAN RECIPIENT OF THE CUNNIFF-DIXON HASTINGS AWARD - IN THE AREA OF SENIOR SERVICES

2012-01-11T09:59:00.000-05:00

Janet Bull, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Four Seasons, was recently awarded the Cunniff-Dixon Hastings award in the area of Senior Services.

The aim of The Hastings Center Cunniff-Dixon Physician Awards is to foster those skills and virtues by providing financial prizes to those physicians, young and old, who have shown their care of patients to be exemplary, a model of good medicine for other physicians, and a great benefit in advancing the centrality of end-of-life care as a basic part of the doctor-patient relationship.

Four Seasons is one of the most respected end-of-life care specialists in the country, serving Henderson, Buncombe, Macon, Jackson and Transylvania Counties. Four Seasons focuses exclusively on serving people who are facing a serious life-limiting illness through their last few years and months.

2011 Tree of Lights

2011-11-23T11:44:00.001-05:00

Purchase Lights & Luminaries at http://www.treeoflights.com/

Four Seasons Offers Free ‘Grief through the Holidays’ Workshops

2011-11-01T16:25:00.001-04:00

Four Seasons will offer four free ‘Grief through the Holidays’ workshops entitled: The Uninvited Guest – Grief at the Holidays.

The workshops include both discussion and activities for participants of all ages. Participants will discover how to bring new meaning to holiday traditions with the absence of a loved one. The groups will share ideas for addressing family expectations and providing self-care while attending to mourning. Participants will create a holiday memory box during the second half of the workshop. The dates, times and locations for the workshops are listed below:

Four Seasons Administrative Building, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC on Thursday, November 17th from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm

Four Seasons Checkpoint Office, 1550 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC on Saturday, November 19th from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm

Four Seasons WNC Office, Jane Woodruff Medical Building, 171 Hospital Drive, JWB Suite 600, Highlands, NC on Wednesday, November 9th from 4:30 to 6:00 pm.

Four Seasons WNC Office, Jane Woodruff Medical Building, 171 Hospital Drive, JWB Suite 600,Highlands, NC on Wednesday, December 8th from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.

All workshops are free and open to the public. However, attendees are asked to register by calling 828-233-0307 or 866-466-9734 (toll-free).

FOUR SEASONS RECOGNIZED AS NATIONAL LEADER IN CLINICAL TRAINING

2011-10-28T12:26:00.000-04:00

Four Seasons – Compassion for Life has been named by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) and the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) as one of 10 clinical training sites in the United States.

John Morris, MD, Four Seasons’ medical director of palliative medicine, said, “Our Palliative Care Immersion Course, which we offer to physicians, nurses and social workers from around the country, exists to help other organizations better serve patients with serious illnesses. I am pleased that we are being recognized as a national leader in palliative care education.”

Janet Bull, MD, chief medical officer said, “We designed the immersion course as an experiential learning course, offering 40 hours of Category I CME to providers. We also offer consulting services to hospice and palliative care organizations around hospice operations, palliative care program development, and starting a research department. We have learned so much over the years, and teaching others helps us to improve and grow. This translates to exceptional care for our own patients and families we serve.”
Four Seasons’ Palliative Care Immersion Course includes training on the following topics: National Quality Forum, assessing whole person care, goals of care, complex case management, conducting effective family meetings, withdrawing life support, prognostication, basic and advanced pain management, advanced care planning, palliative care emergencies, dealing with drug addiction, chaplains’ role in spiritual care and administrative palliative care needs.

The Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) partnered with the AAHPM to develop the Directory of National Clinical Palliative Site Visits in response to frequent requests for information regarding palliative care teams willing to host on-site clinical training.

Four Seasons is a non-profit organization led by a dedicated team of health care professionals, social workers, spiritual care professionals and volunteers. Four Seasons currently serves patients in Henderson, Buncombe, Macon, Jackson, Transylvania counties and surrounding areas. For information on the Palliative Care Immersion Course or other services of Four Seasons, please call 828-692-6178.

Tree of Lights-SAVE THE DATE!

2011-10-20T16:13:00.001-04:00

Friday December 2nd. at the Historic Henderson County Courthouse
5:00 p.m. refreshments, 6:00p.m. tree lighting

Order Lights & Luminaries at:

www.treeoflights.com

for more information email: dgroves@fourseasonscfl.org

HOSPICE HOME STORE SALE- Everything 50% off!

2011-10-18T10:48:00.000-04:00

Here is some good news to brighten your week:

TOMORROW, October 19th, the Hospice Home Store (located at 215 N. Main St. in Hendersonville), will be having a HUGE sale. Everything in the store will be half-off! (No other discounts apply) This is only the 3rd time they have had a sale this big that included EVERYTHING!

Make your plans to visit the store between 9:30 am and 5 pm tomorrow…hope to see you there!

TWO LOCAL INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE TOP AWARDS FROM THE CAROLINAS CENTER FOR HOSPICE AND END OF LIFE CARE

2011-10-12T14:51:00.001-04:00

Jean Moulthrop Hoogstra

Dr. John Morris

Chris Comeaux, president/CEO of Four Seasons, local end-of-life care provider, is pleased to announce that two individuals from the non-profit have received awards from the Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of Life Care at their Annual Conference held on September 28th in Concord, NC.

Jean Moulthrop Hoogstra, Four Seasons’ founder and matriarch, received the Judith Lund Person Hospice Volunteer of the Year Award. At 94 years of age, she has volunteered for Four Seasons for over 30 years. She, along with a small group of volunteers, is credited with founding the agency in 1980 as Hospice of Henderson County (later to become Four Seasons). She has never stopped volunteering for the agency. As a volunteer, she began a speakers’ bureau, held volunteer training sessions, worked as a patient care volunteer, been an administrative volunteer, polled the community on quality of care, and has called active patients and caregivers for a live survey on quality of care.

Comeaux said, “Jean is our founder who had a dream and the determination to make it happen. Four Seasons is her ministry and her legacy. This award in many respects is a lifetime achievement award. Jean represents everything that is great about the true mission of hospice.”
Dr. John Morris, vice president of clinical outreach and palliative care medical director for Four Seasons, received the Sharon O. Dixon Award for excellent clinical care in a hospice. He was instrumental in starting Four Seasons palliative care program in 2005, which is recognized as one of the largest and top palliative care programs in the country. The program has grown exponentially under his leadership. He has also helped create a “Center of Excellence” which provides consultative services to palliative care providers from across the United States.

Comeaux said, “John Morris has been a tremendous asset not only to Four Seasons, but to the larger professional end-of-life care community. He has the unique ability to provide personal, compassionate care on a daily basis to patients and families, lead the organization in innovative services, and challenge other organizations to stretch their vision to provide better care for patients and families as well. He has truly raised the bar in providing excellent care to patients and families at the end of life.”

Four Seasons is a non-profit organization led by a dedicated team of health care professionals, social workers, spiritual care professionals and volunteers. Four Seasons currently serves patients in Henderson, Buncombe, Macon, Jackson, Transylvania counties and surrounding areas.

NATIONAL HOSPICE LEADER SHARES PERSPECTIVE WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

2011-10-04T08:08:00.000-04:00

Four Seasons, a local hospice and palliative care organization, and the Palliative Care Center and Hospice of Catawba Valley recently collaborated to invite J. Don Schumacher, president and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, to share his perspective on the future of end-of-life care with local hospices and their board of directors. The event was hosted by Hospice of Yancey on Monday, September 26th. Board and staff members from Hospice of Mitchell, Hospice of McDowell, Four Seasons, Hospice of Yancey, and Palliative Care Center and Hospice of Catawba Valley attended. Schumacher shared the future challenges that hospices are going to face with rate reductions, quality reporting, and increased regulatory scrutiny.

Dr. Schumacher has more than 30 years experience in hospice and palliative care administration. Since 2002, he has served as the president and chief executive officer of The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), which is the largest nonprofit membership organization representing hospice and palliative care programs and professionals in the world.

Photo caption: Four Seasons recently invited J. Donald Schumacher, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s President and CEO, to give an informative presentation about the challenges and opportunities facing hospice organizations. Pictured with J. Don Schumacher (left) are Chris Comeaux, Four Seasons President/CEO (right) and Nancy Bouvet, Four Seasons 2012 Board Chair(center).

FOUR SEASONS TOP HOSPICE PROVIDER IN STATE

2011-09-16T12:28:00.000-04:00

Four Seasons–Compassion for Life has again been recognized as the top hospice provider in North Carolina in terms of how well the organization served its local community. Four Seasons has been amongst the top providers of care in terms of the percentage of patients served since 2004. In 2010, Four Seasons served 65% of all deaths in Henderson County, the greatest percentage of any hospice in North Carolina. The state average is 38.26%, according to a report from the Carolina’s Center for Hospice & End of Life Care.

Chris Comeaux, president/CEO of Four Seasons, said, “This percentage is one of the best indicators of how well a hospice organization is serving those who need its services. The vision of Four Seasons is to provide the best end-of-life care to all those who need it in Western North Carolina.”

Four Seasons is a non-profit organization led by a dedicated team of health care professionals, social workers, spiritual care professionals and volunteers. Four Seasons currently serves patients in Henderson, Buncombe, Macon, Jackson, Transylvania counties and surrounding areas.

FOUR SEASONS’ COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE PROGRAM OFFERS SUPPORT SESSION FOR CAREGIVERS

2011-09-15T08:45:00.000-04:00

The Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Program of Four Seasons is offering a single-session support group for caregivers on Tuesday, September 20th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at the Four Seasons offices at 571 South Allen Road in Flat Rock, NC.

Participants will experience a healing environment, receive supportive care, learn simple and gentle Yoga practices to relieve tension, and learn how essential oils and aromatherapy can help with both relaxing and renewing one’s energy. The session will be facilitated by the Four Seasons’CAM-RN, Brenda Charbonneau, RN, BSN, UZIT.

Cost is $20 per registrant. Call 828-692-6178 by September 19th to register.

The Four Seasons Complementary and Alternative Medicine program offers a variety of gentle, comforting therapies that either complement or serve as an alternative to conventional medical therapies.

Four Seasons to Offer “Healing with Horses” A Teen Grief Support Camp

2011-09-14T14:54:00.000-04:00

A unique opportunity for grieving teenagers, using the assistance of horses in group therapy, will be held on two consecutive Saturdays, November 12th and 19th. The camp is offered by Four Seasons with the direction and collaboration of the equine therapy team at “Horse Sense of the Carolinas” in Marshall, NC.

Transportation to and from the “Horse Sense” facility for the first session will be provided by Four Seasons. The teens will meet their four-legged therapists and begin exploring their individual grief issues through specially planned activities. The second session will be held at Greatrex Place on the Four Seasons campus in Flat Rock. Horse-riding skills are not required to participate in this camp.

During the two days of sharing and learning, through this established form of experiential therapy with horses, the teens will have a unique opportunity to explore their individual grief experiences without judgment or criticism. Together the teens will learn new coping skills for their grief journey and gain confidence to deal with their changing worlds. The sessions are facilitated throughout both days by a trained equine specialist and therapist and the Four Seasons Teen Bereavement Counselor.

Teens, ages 14-19, who have experienced the loss of a significant loved one, are eligible and encouraged to apply. Teens must be able to commit to both Saturdays. For more information or an application, please call the Four Seasons Bereavement Department at 828-692-6178, or go to our website at www.FourSeasonsCFL.org.

CAM Benefit

2011-08-25T12:25:00.001-04:00

LOCAL RESTAURANT TO HOLD FUNDRAISER FOR FOUR SEASONS’

COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE PROGRAM

Moe’s Original Bar B Que will host the 2nd Annual Cookin’ with Compassion fundraising dinner to benefit Four Seasons’ new Complementary and Alternative Medicine Program.

The dinner will be held on Saturday, September 24 from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Moe’s Bar B Que, 4 Sweeten Creek Road in Biltmore Village. The dinner will feature live bluegrass music. The menu includes pulled pork BBQ, sides, cornbread, banana pudding, and drinks (cash bar available).
All proceeds from the event directly benefit the patients receiving Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) from Four Seasons. This new program offers a variety of gentle, comforting therapies that either complement or serve as an alternative to conventional medical therapies.

Tickets are $10 each and may be purchased at the door, or in advance by visiting http://www.camfundraising.com/.
For more information about the event, please contact Derek Groves at 828-233-0319 or dgroves@FourSeasonsCFL.org.

FOUR SEASONS –WNC BRANCH TO HOLD “GRIEF 101” AND GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP IN HIGHLANDS

2011-08-22T14:16:00.002-04:00

Four Seasons will offer “Grief 101” on Sept. 22nd from 4:30 – 6:00 PM at the Four Seasons office, Jane Woodruff Medical Building, on the campus of the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, 171 Hospital Drive, Suite 600. The group is for anyone dealing with grief related to the death of a family member, partner, friend, loved one.
The grief support group begins Sept. 29th and runs for 8 weeks.

It will meet from 4:30 PM – 6 PM at the Four Seasons office, Jane Woodruff Medical Building, on the campus of the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, 171 Hospital Drive, Suite 600. The group is open to all those who have lost a loved one and would benefit from a grief support group.

Please call Brigitte at 828/526-2552 (extension 307) to sign up.

Four Seasons is one of the most respected end-of-life care specialists in the country, serving Henderson, Buncombe, Macon, Jackson and Transylvania Counties. Four Seasons focuses exclusively on serving people who are facing a serious life-limiting illness through their last few years and months. Bereavement services are offered to anyone in the community who has lost a loved one.

FOUR SEASONS OFFERS WELLNESS CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

2011-08-16T10:07:00.000-04:00

Contact: Mark Neville,
Coordinator of Bereavement and C.A.M. Services
Phone: (828) 692-6178 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 15, 2011

FOUR SEASONS OFFERS WELLNESS CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

Four Seasons is offering a Wellness Cancer Support Group utilizing complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The group will be held on Tuesday, August 30th from 10 am to noon at the Four Seasons office at 571 South Allen Road in Flat Rock, NC.

Brenda Charbonneau, Four Seasons CAM nurse, will lead the session, which will include aromatherapy, gentle yoga movements, and calming breath awareness exercises. The goal of the group is to support attendees in a nurturing and caring environment with self-care to help reduce the symptoms of pain, anxiety, nausea, insomnia, constipation and confusion.

Cost for the session is $20, payable at the door. To register, or for more information, please call 828-692-6178.

2011 Golf Tournament

2011-08-04T09:16:00.003-04:00

Cummings Cove Golf & Country Club

Thank you to our tournament major sponsor:

Thank you to all our volunteers, sponsors and players

Four Seasons Offers Grief Support Groups

2011-07-27T13:16:00.000-04:00

Four Seasons will offer “Grief 101” on Thursday, August 18 from 2:00 – 3:30 pm at the Four Seasons office at 571 South Allen Road in Flat Rock. Another “Grief 101” session will be held Thursday, September 15 from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m., also at the Four Seasons office in Flat Rock. Grief 101 is a one-time educational meeting for anyone dealing with grief related to the death of a family member, partner, friend, or loved one.

A Grief Support Group will begin meeting on Thursday, September 22 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. and will meet for six weekly sessions. Please call 828-233-0307 to register or for more information.

Hospice & Palliative Care- Golf Benefit

2011-07-21T09:38:00.000-04:00

Four Seasons Annual Golf Tournament

Friday July 29, 2011 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM EDT
For more information and online registration visit:

http://www.fsgolftournament.com/

Hospice Bookstore & Clothing Sale!

2011-07-11T09:21:00.000-04:00

Four Seasons Preparing for 8th Annual Children’s Bereavement Camp

2011-06-23T10:52:00.002-04:00

Four Seasons will host its 8th Annual Camp Heart Songs at Falling Creek Camp in Zirconia, NC, on Saturday, August 20th, 2011.

Camp Heart Songs is a free one day camp for grieving children in a fun and safe environment. Children (ages 6-14 years) who have experienced the loss of a parent, sibling or other loved one are eligible to attend. The focus of the camp’s activities is to promote healthy expressions of grief and learn to share and empathize with other peers who have had similar grief experiences.

Professional bereavement counselors, chaplains, social workers, hospice volunteers and staff lead the support groups and cooperative activities to guide the children as they learn new coping skills and build self-esteem and confidence. Some favorite activities include swimming, sharing time with trained and certified therapy dogs and cheering for each other as they take turns climbing the 80-foot rock wall.

The event provides morning and afternoon snacks and lunch during a fun-filled day which culminates with milk and cookies at the end of the day.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend a support group session in the morning led by a hospice bereavement counselor who provides child grief education and the opportunity to share and receive support from the group. There will be a memorable closing ceremony with a video of the camp day, a sing-a-long and butterfly release with the children and their families.
All children must be registered in advance to attend. For more information about Camp Heart Songs or to register please call the Bereavement Department at Four Seasons at 828-233-0334 or toll free at 866-466-9734.

-End-

Volunteer Orientation & Training Schedule

2011-06-20T08:22:00.000-04:00

Volunteer

Orientation & Training Schedule

Four Seasons will be offering its volunteer training classes to all those in the community who would like to learn about or enhance care-giving skills. The information provided is useful in any setting, from homes to facilities. Attendance does not require a commitment to become a Hospice Volunteer.
We will discuss a wide array of volunteer opportunities and we welcome all areas of interest. At this time there is a particular need for volunteers to work with patients in Buncombe County; to assist at our in-patient facility, Elizabeth House, located in Flat Rock; to lead resident activities at facilities in both Buncombe and Henderson Counties; and to staff our Hospice Home Store in the Biltmore Square Mall.

A new volunteer Orientation class (required for all volunteer positions) will be offered:
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Five additional training classes will be required for those who wish to be involved in Patient Care (Home Care, Nursing Care, Assisted Living Facilities, and Elizabeth House).

Session 1 Thursday July 14, 2011 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Session 2 Tuesday July 19, 2011 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Session 3 Thursday July 21, 2011 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Session 4 Tuesday July 26, 2011 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Session 5 Thursday July 28, 2011 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Location: Quality Inn & Suites, 1 Skyland Inn Drive, Arden, NC 28704. Longs Shoals Road, Exit 37 off 26.

For more information or to register for any of the above classes, please contact: The Volunteer Department @ 692-6178 or Volunteer@FourSeasonsCFL.org.

One Day Book Sale at the Biltmore Square Mall

2011-06-20T08:11:00.000-04:00

The Hospice Book Store will be holding a one day book sale at our Biltmore Square Mall store.

Saturday June 25^th 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM
This special sale will be out in the mall walking area (Not in our store)
Thousands of books for sale
PRICE: $1 each!

FOUR SEASONS –WNC BRANCH TO HOLD “GRIEF 101” AND GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP IN HIGHLANDS

2011-06-13T08:32:00.001-04:00

Four Seasons will offer “Grief 101” on July 7th from 4:30 – 6:00 PM at the Four Seasons WNC Branch office in Highlands at the Highlands/Cashiers Hospital, 171 Hospital Drive, Suite 600. The group is for anyone dealing with grief related to the death of a family member, partner, friend, loved one.

The grief support group begins July 14th and runs for 8 weeks.

It will meet from 4:30 PM – 6 PM at the Four Seasons WNC Branch office in Highlands at the Highlands/Cashiers Hospital, 171 Hospital Drive, Suite 600. The group is open to all those who have lost a loved one and would benefit from a grief support group.
Please call Brigitte at 828/526-2552 (extension 307) to sign up.
Four Seasons is one of the most respected end-of-life care specialists in the country, serving Henderson, Buncombe, Macon, Jackson and Transylvania Counties. Four Seasons focuses exclusively on serving people who are facing a serious life-limiting illness through their last few years and months. Bereavement services are offered to anyone in the community who has lost a loved one.

2011 Seasons of Life Soiree

2011-05-27T16:06:00.000-04:00

Like people? What to help your community?

2011-05-25T10:10:00.002-04:00

Have some free time?
Why not volunteer at the

Four Seasons Hospice Home Store at the Biltmore Square Mall.

Call 692-6178 for more information.

THANK YOU: 2011 Seasons of Life Soiree Sponsors

2011-05-20T08:40:00.000-04:00

Current Job Openings at Four Seasons

2011-05-04T11:55:00.000-04:00

Please click here to view our current open positions

Asheville Benefit for Hospice & Palliative Care

2011-04-15T14:49:00.003-04:00

Four Seasons to offer volunteer training classes

2011-04-13T09:41:00.000-04:00

Four Seasons, a local provider of end-of-life care services, will be offering its volunteer training classes to all those who would like to learn about, or enhance, care-giving skills. The information provided is useful in any setting, from homes to facilities. Attendance does not require a commitment to become a Four Seasons volunteer. A wide array of volunteer opportunities will be covered, and all areas of interest are welcome.

An orientation class (required for all volunteer positions) will be offered at the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital Campus (exact location TBD):

Orientation (for all volunteers)- Tuesday, May 17th 1:00-4:30

Patient Care Training – Wednesday, May 18th 9:00-4:00

Thursday, May 19th 9:00-4:00

Participants must register by May 16th by contacting Donna Nawrocki, director of volunteer services, at DNawrocki@FourSeasonsCFL.org or 1-866-466-9734 (toll free).

Four Seasons is one of the most respected end-of-life care specialists in the country, serving Henderson, Buncombe, Macon, Jackson and Transylvania Counties. Four Seasons focuses exclusively on serving people who are facing a serious life-limiting illness through their last few years and months.

FOUR SEASONS TO CELEBRATE LIFE WITH UPCOMING EVENT

2011-04-12T13:59:00.002-04:00

Tickets are available now for the Four Seasons “Seasons of Life Soiree 2011,” which will be held Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 6:30 pm at the Asheville Hilton in Biltmore Park. The event is presented by Park Ridge Health, sponsored by Shuler Funeral Home, and sustained by many other local sponsors and individuals.

Tickets are $75 per person for an evening of fine food, auction, and entertainment by a local jazz trio. Complimentary wine will be provided by the Hilton at Biltmore Park. Event attendees will have the option to honor or memorialize a loved one through a special remembrance opportunity.

Some of the items included in the silent auction at the event are a chance to take home an adorable puppy from Blue Ridge Humane Society, a green amethyst necklace from Shelley’s in Hendersonville, a getaway weekend to Atlanta, several golf packages, art work, beautiful home and garden items, flowers by Blossom’s at Biltmore Park, and complimentary wine provided by the Hilton at Biltmore Park

Tickets are available at http://www.seasonsoflife2011.com/ or by calling Claudia Polancich, development associate, at 828-233-0304.

Proceed from this event will support the many services of Four Seasons, one of the most respected end-of-life care specialists in the country, serving Henderson, Buncombe, Macon, Jackson and Transylvania Counties. Four Seasons focuses exclusively on serving people who are facing a serious life-limiting illness through their last few years and months.

FOUR SEASONS OPENS TWO NEW THRIFT STORES IN THE BILTMORE SQUARE MALL - Asheville, NC

2011-04-08T10:44:00.001-04:00

On Tuesday, April 5, Four Seasons opened two new thrift stores in the Biltmore Square Mall. The specialty thrift stores are in addition to the Hospice Home Store at 215 N. Main Street in Downtown Hendersonville. The Biltmore Square Mall stores will include a small used book store, which will sell antique prints and media in addition to used books. There will also be a used clothing store, which will also sell hats, scarves, belts, ties and other clothing accessories.

Hours of operation for the new stores are Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 8 pm and Sunday 12:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

Proceeds from all Four Seasons thrift stores support the services of Four Seasons. Four Seasons is one of the most respected end-of-life care specialists in the country, serving Henderson, Buncombe, Macon, Jackson and Transylvania Counties. Four Seasons focuses exclusively on serving people who are facing a serious life-limiting illness through their last few years and months.

FOUR SEASONS –WNC BRANCH TO HOLD BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP IN HIGHLANDS

2011-04-04T14:02:00.003-04:00

Grief support group begins April 15 and runs for 10 weeks.
It will meet from 4:30 PM – 6 PM at the Four Seasons WNC Branch office in Highlands at the Highlands/Cashiers Hospital, 171 Hospital Drive, Suite 600. The group is open to all those who have lost a loved one and would benefit from a grief support group.
Please call 828/526-2552 (ext.# 307) to sign up. Topics will include:

• “Am I going crazy?” -- What feelings are normal during grief?

• What is grief, bereavement and mourning? How long does this last?

• Coping styles for grief and loss

• Common misconceptions about grief

• Helpful ways to remember or memorialize the person you have lost

• How do we find meaning in the midst of loss?

• What is the “Mourner’s Bill of Rights” and how does it apply to me?

• Taking care of ourselves

• Finding hope in the midst of loss

-more-
Four Seasons is one of the most respected end-of-life care specialists in the country, serving Henderson, Buncombe, Macon, Jackson and Transylvania Counties. Four Seasons focuses exclusively on serving people who are facing a serious life-limiting illness through their last few years and months. Bereavement services are offered to anyone in the community who has lost a loved one.

FOUR SEASONS OFFERS NEW COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE PROGRAM

2011-04-01T08:40:00.001-04:00

Chris Comeaux, president and CEO of Four Seasons, announced today that Brenda Charbonneau RN, BSN, UZIT has been named CAM RN practitioner for the new Four Seasons Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) program. This program offers a variety of gentle, comforting therapies that either complement or serve as an alternative to conventional medical therapies.
Charbonneau joined Four Seasons in 2006 as a RN case manager working in various settings, including nursing home, ALF, home care, and local hospitals. In 2009, she completed Donna Karan’s Urban Zen Integrative Therapist (UZIT) program in New York City. The 12-month 500-hour advanced UZIT certification program consists of yoga therapy: (including in-bed, w/c yoga postures and movements, restorative poses, breath awareness, and meditation), aromatherapy to help reduce symptoms and promote healing, reiki, current theories and practices on holistic nutrition, and education into the subject of death and dying. Charbonneau will address key patient symptoms of PANIC- Pain, Anxiety, Nausea, Insomnia, Constipation, and Confusion. Charbonneau’s focus includes not only assisting in patient care, but educating and instructing self-care techniques for caregivers and clinicians. Charbonneau is currently a member of the Holistic Nursing Association.
For information on the CAM program, please call Four Seasons at 828-692-6178.

Four Seasons is one of the most respected end-of-life care specialists in the country, serving Henderson, Buncombe, Macon, Jackson and Transylvania Counties. Four Seasons focuses exclusively on serving people who are facing a serious life-limiting illness through their last few years and months.

FOUR SEASONS NAMES NEW HEART SONGS COORDINATOR

2011-04-01T08:35:00.001-04:00

Chris Comeaux, president and CEO of Four Seasons, announced today that Susan T. Bumgarner has been named Heart Songs Coordinator, Children and Teen Bereavement Counselor. This unique program provides help for children in surviving loss and grief. Losing a loved one to death is a common but difficult experience in a child's life. HEART SONGS is a children's grief support program developed by Four Seasons.

Bumgarner brings to her position over 19 years of experience in bereavement counseling with children and teens, spiritual care and leadership. She graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, TN with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1984. In 1987, Bumgarner earned her Master of Arts in Religious Education with an emphasis in counseling. She worked with the state of North Carolina to counsel adjudicated youth for two years before beginning her work in clinical pastoral education. Additionally, she worked for over 12 years as a hospital chaplain in the Raleigh, NC area with an emphasis in pediatric chaplaincy. Bumgarner joined the staff of Four Seasons in December, 2010 as a PRN chaplain before taking over the position as Heart Songs Coordinator in March 2011. She serves on the board of directors for the North Carolina Chaplains association as the Education chair, and also serves her community as a volunteer chaplain with the Black Mountain police corp. and leading grief support groups.

Four Seasons is one of the most respected end-of-life care specialists in the country, serving Henderson, Buncombe, Macon, Jackson and Transylvania Counties. Four Seasons focuses exclusively on serving people who are facing a serious life-limiting illness through their last few years and months.

Career Opportunities at Four Seasons

2011-03-25T16:12:00.000-04:00

Please click this link to learn more about joining the Four Seasons team

Dr. David Troxler Featured On The Physicians Voice

2011-03-17T13:46:00.000-04:00

Explore a Career With Four Seasons

2011-03-11T13:40:00.000-05:00

Please click here to view our current job openings

2011-03-11T13:36:00.000-05:00

Click Here to REGISTER NOW

You're Sick. It's Serious.

2011-03-04T16:14:00.000-05:00

Seasons of Life Fundraiser

2011-02-25T15:46:00.000-05:00

Click here to register now

Four Seasons Announces: Palliative Care Immersion Course

2011-02-25T15:38:00.001-05:00

Click Here to Register or Learn More

Jobs Opportunities at Four Seasons

2011-02-25T15:30:00.000-05:00

Please visit the job section of our website to view our current openings:
http://www.fourseasonscfl.org/careers

New Volunteer Training Dates Announced

2011-02-21T10:40:00.001-05:00

Four Seasons will be holding Volunteer Orientation on:

March 16th from 1 – 4:30 at Deerfield in Asheville.

Patient Care Training will take place on:

March 22nd, 24th, 29th and 31st from 1 – 4:30 at Deerfield in Asheville.

For more information about becoming a Four Seasons volunteer: call 692-6178.

2011-02-07T16:02:00.001-05:00

Is your dog certified for Pet Therapy?

If yes, we would like you to join our team of volunteers who provide Pet Therapy to

Four Seasons patients?

Call 692-6178 for more information.

2011-01-26T14:54:00.000-05:00

Missed our January, 2011 volunteer training? Not to worry. We will be hosting our next volunteer training in March, 2011. Save the dates:

March 17^th, 22^nd, 24^th, 29^th and 31^st.
Call 828-692-6178 for more information on how you can give back to so many.

FOUR SEASONS NAMES DIRECTOR OF WNC BRANCH OFFICE

2011-01-26T14:50:00.000-05:00

Chris Comeaux, president and CEO of Four Seasons, announced today that Steve Mills, bereavement coordinator at Four Seasons, has been named the new manager of the WNC Branch Office located in Highlands, NC. Four Seasons serves patients in Macon and Jackson Counties from the branch office located in the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital.
Mills has worked both in hospitals and hospices in end-of-life care for the past 23 years. He has served in a leadership position with Four Seasons since 2009.

Mills has a Master of Divinity and a background in counseling, ethics and working with community health initiatives. He is Board Certified by the Association of Professional Chaplains and was a Visiting Fellow in the Clinical Ethics Program at the University of Virginia.
“It is very much an honor for me to serve patients and their families who are navigating this very difficult time in their lives, and to work with the strong team we have in place here. Our vision is to provide the best end-of-life care and to be the provider of choice for the residents of the Western North Carolina region.”

Four Seasons is one of the most respected end-of-life care specialists in the country, serving Henderson, Buncombe, Macon, Jackson and Transylvania Counties. Four Seasons focuses exclusively on serving people who are facing a serious life-limiting illness through their last few years and months.

IRA Charitable Rollover Benefits Extended

2011-01-20T08:00:00.004-05:00

Give the Gift of Compassion

IRA Charitable Rollover Benefits Extended

There are many ways to support the compassionate care of Four Seasons. Some volunteer their time and talents, while some choose to donate a monetary gift to support quality end-of-life care in Western North Carolina. The IRA Charitable Rollover Benefit extension is one more reason to support Four Seasons.

• IRA Charitable Rollovers and other giving incentives have been renewed through 2011.

• Allows individuals age 70½ and older to donate up to $100,000 from their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) to charities such as Four Seasons, without having to count the distributions as taxable income.

• Last day to make a retroactive contribution for the 2010 tax year is Monday, January 31, 2011.

Four Seasons is grateful for your support of compassionate care. Click here to make a donation online.
For more information about tax advantages, call 828-692-6178, or email Derek Groves, Director of Development at: dgroves@fourseasonscfl.org

Your gift is appreciated.

Interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities with Four Seasons?
http://www.fourseasonscfl.org/volunteer/

Class For New Volunteers Underway!

2011-01-19T10:10:00.000-05:00

Our class for new volunteers is underway and thirty new volunteers attended our initial orientation program on January, 13, 2011.

22 of those volunteers are beginning the next phase of patient care training on January 17, 2011.
8 will move forward with training to help us in: office administration, home store, baking, sewing, facility activity volunteer, special events, faith community representation and much more.

We want to welcome all our new volunteers to the Four Seasons Family!
Sincerely,
The volunteer department

Click here to learn more about Four Seasons volunteer opportunities

Home Store Volunteer on Spotlight Carolina!

2011-01-04T15:37:00.000-05:00

Click here to watch Bob Murray, Four Seasons volunteer, talk about his work with the Four Seasons Hospice Home Store on Spotlight Carolina!

Four Seasons physician honored as "fellow"

2010-12-20T15:11:00.000-05:00

FOUR SEASONS’ DR. JOHN MORRIS ELECTED FELLOW OF

THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE MEDICINE

Four Seasons is pleased to announce that John Morris, MD, vice president of clinical outreach and palliative care medical director, has been elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

Chris Comeaux, president and CEO of Four Seasons said, “We are extremely proud of this accomplishment received by Dr. Morris. He has been a valued leader and physician at Four Seasons since 2002. This is a well-deserved honor for his dedication to the field of hospice and palliative care. Dr. Morris’ efforts help us accomplish our goal of providing excellent end-of-life care in Western North Carolina.”

The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine awards the honor of “Fellow” on physicians who have five years of experience in the practice of hospice and palliative medicine and demonstrate significant commitment to scholarship and clinical advancement in the field. Dr. Morris joins Dr. Janet Bull, chief medical officer of Four Seasons, as the only two physicians honored as Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellows in WNC.

Is your pain medication causing constipation?

2010-12-13T14:28:00.000-05:00

Four Seasons is offering a clinical research study investigating an experimental medication to treat constipation caused by the use of opioid pain medications.

To find out more, please call 828-692-6178; you will be compensated for time and travel.

Press Release: Four Seasons Seeks Volunteers

2010-12-08T08:35:00.001-05:00

FOUR SEASONS SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

Four Seasons is seeking volunteers to help it fulfill its mission to the patients and families it serves in Buncombe and Henderson Counties. Four Seasons, a non-profit end-of-life care organization, has a multi-disciplinary approach to improving patients' physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being. Volunteers are a key component in this team approach.

A new volunteer orientation class (required for all volunteer positions) will be offered:

Thursday, January 13, 2011 from 1:00 pm – 4:30pm

Four additional training classes will be required for those who wish to be involved in Patient Care (Home Care, Nursing Care, Assisted Living facilities, and Elizabeth House).

Session 1- Monday, January 17, 2011: 1:00 – 4:30 pm

Session 2- Wednesday, January 19, 2011: 1:00 – 4:30 pm

Session 3- Monday, January 24, 2011: 1:00 – 4:30 pm

Session 4- Wednesday, January 26, 2011: 1:00 – 4:30 pm

Location:

All Orientation and Training Classes will be held at Four Seasons’ Greatrex Place located at 571 South Allen Road in Flat Rock (adjacent to Elizabeth House).

For more information or to register for any of the above classes, please contact:

The Volunteer Department @ 828-692-6178 or Volunteer@FourSeasonsCFL.org.

Tree of Lights on YouTube!

2010-12-07T08:31:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Rimas Zailskas of Bold Life Magazine, Four Seasons' 20th Annual Tree of Lights can now be seen on YouTube! Rimas, we can't thank you enough for your coverage of the event!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVtxXMCq--0

Excerpt from our monthly E-newsletter: "Engage with Grace"

2010-11-15T09:06:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving is a time we traditionally gather with family to celebrate our gratitude for life. As those who are dealing with a serious illness know, life is a gift. The fact that it does not last forever is part of what makes life precious. Join others who are choosing to spend a portion of this holiday gathering to engage with grace. Thisis a national movement to gracefully promote family discussions about end-of-life preferences. Talking with family is key to ensuring that your own wishes are followed. In caring for a family member, knowing that person's wishes ahead of time reduces the potential for guilt and conflict.

You can lead the way by reviewing with your family your own answers to these questions:

Who would you like to have make decisions for you if you are unable to speak for yourself? Ideally, you have completed an advance directive. In this document, you name your medical power of attorney and give him or her some basic instructions. Use this time to let others know whom you have chosen and what you would like.
Where would you like to spend your last days? At home or in a hospital? What would be the most comforting?
Do you want aggressive medical treatment right up to the end? If so, make sure your family knows to advocate for you.
Would you prefer minimal intervention? Depending on the circumstances, your priority in your last weeks may be to live as normally as possible, placing quality over quantity. Prepare your family to accept this as your choice.

During this season of thanks, you can thank your family for their support of you and encourage them to share their wishes as well. You might also want to read our article about starting the conversation.

Spotlight: Zambia Partnership

2010-11-10T13:43:00.000-05:00

Four Seasons has partnered with the Palliative Care Association of Zambia (PCAZ) through the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa to provide compassionate end-of-life care.

The partnership's motto: Reach out, give back and pay it forward; be the change you want to see in the world.

Dr. Bull, Chief Medical Officer, and Michelle Webb, Vice President of Clinical Services, created the following video from their recent trip to Zambia. Happy viewing!

For more information on the partnership and ways to support the cause, visit http://www.fourseasonscfl.org/ and scroll to the bottom of the homepage to locate the Zambia Partnership link.

FREE Holiday Grief Workshop to be held on December 1, 2010

2010-11-09T15:28:00.000-05:00

Four Seasons will offer a free “Holiday and Grief Workshop” on Wednesday, December 1, 2010, from 3:00 – 5:00 pm.

The workshop will be facilitated by Robin A.Edgar, a nationally known author and workshop facilitator. Edgar has facilitated bereavement workshops in schools and senior centers as well as for various hospice organizations, the Alzheimer’s Association and Parkinson’s Association. Her book, In My Mother’s Kitchen: An Introduction to the Healing Power of Reminiscence, is listed in several grief resource catalogues, including those for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Association.

The workshop will be held at Four Seasons’ administrative offices at 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock. It is free and open to the public. However, attendance is limited and participants are asked to register by calling 828-233-0307. Individuals may also register online at www.FourSeasonsCFL.org by clicking on the Community Events page.

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month!

2010-11-03T13:59:00.000-04:00

Four Seasons Celebrates Seasons of Caring during National Hospice/Palliative Care Month

Hospice care helps patients and families focus on living. This is the message that Four Seasons is sharing with the community during National Hospice/Palliative Care Month. However, this important message lasts beyond the month of November and is important all year round.

“November is a valuable time to raise awareness throughout our community about care at the end of life,” said Chris Comeaux, president/CEO of Four Seasons. “But the time a family might need us doesn’t follow a calendar or occur only during this season, so our message must make an impression that stays with people all year long.”

Since 1981, Four Seasons has been providing a high level of compassionate and professional end-of-life care in Western North Carolina. Four Seasons is a non-profit organization led by a dedicated team of health care professionals, social workers, spiritual care professionals and volunteers. Every November, hospices across the country reach out to raise awareness of the compassionate care that hospice and palliative care provide patients and families coping with serious and life-limiting illness.

The Seasons of Caring theme reminds people that life’s final seasons can be some of the most fulfilling, especially when patients and families look to hospice care and palliative care for help.

The hospice team provides expert medical care to keep patients comfortable and able to enjoy time with loved ones. The hospice team answers questions, offers advice on what to expect, and helps families with the duties of being a caregiver. The team also provides emotional and spiritual support for the entire family.

“With the help of hospice, patients and families alike can focus on what’s most important – enjoying life together and living the final seasons to their fullest,” said Janet Bull, MD, Four Seasons’ medical director. “It’s about the quality of life.”

“There’s an inaccurate perception among the American public that hospice means you’ve given up,” said J. Donald Schumacher, president and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. “Those of us who have worked in the field have seen firsthand how hospice and palliative care can improve the quality of life. And there’s a growing body of research showing that hospice and palliative care may prolong the lives of some people who receive care.”

More than 1.56 million patients receive care from the nation’s hospices every year, reports the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

For more information about hospice and/or palliative care and how they can help your family, contact Four Seasons at 828-692-6178 or 1-866-466-9734, or visit www.FourSeasonsCFL.org.

Join us for the 20th Annual Tree of Lights!

2010-11-01T13:22:00.000-04:00

Date: Friday, December 3, 2010

Location: Henderson County Historic Courthouse

Time: Cider and cookies at 5:30 P.M.,
tree lighting at 6:00

For more information on the event and purchasing lights and luminaries in honor of a loved one, call Stephanie Dylewski at 692-6178-Extension 135.

Dealing with Holiday Grief: A Bereavement Workshop

2010-10-21T14:55:00.000-04:00

As the holiday season nears, families make plans to get together for good food, good times- or maybe not. Holiday gatherings can be times of sadness if a family is separated from or has lost a loved one. Nationally known author and workshop facilitator Robin A. Edgar shares easy interactive steps in her book In My Mother's Kitchen that ease the sadness and help you find joy during the holidays.

Four Seasons is partnering with Robin to hold 'Dealing with Holiday Grief', a workshop on November 4, 2010 from 3:00-5:00 PM at Greatrex Place in Flat Rock. Click here for more information on how to register for the event.

The Four Stages of Hope: An excerpt from our Oct/Nov e-newsletter

2010-10-18T11:41:00.000-04:00

The Four Stages of Hope

Is life with a terminal illness hopeless? Not at all. Seriously ill individuals thrive on hope, just like the rest of us. It gives us a sense of purpose.

According to hospice expert Cathleen Fanslow-Brunjes, hope in serious illness typically has four main stages:

Hope for a cure. "I'm not going to let this stop me."
Hope for treatment. "I think the radiation is really working!"
Hope for prolongation of life. "I want to go to the family reunion."
Hope for a peaceful death. "I'm hoping for no pain in my final days."

The four stages often align with disease progression. But it's not uncommon for a person to move back and forth among them.

Knowing the four stages, you can better support your family member in sustaining his or her hope. Listen carefully for comments that indicate hope. You might also want to read our article about hope and serious illness.

Many families are concerned about "realistic hope." Find out what your loved one is hoping for and ask the doctor if it is feasible. If so, then all of you can work toward this shared goal.

If the hope is not realistic, it may signal the need for a change in care goals. But it does not mean your loved one must be without hope! Instead, it means you need to talk together with the doctor and come up with a more achievable project or purpose.

Dr. David Casarett, a hospice physician, wrote an insightful book about this topic called "Last Acts." It specifically looks at the many ways his patients chose to find meaning in their last few months, weeks, and days.

Hope is always available. We just need help knowing how to look for it.
To read the entire newsletter and for more information on caring for the seriously ill, visit http://www.seriousillness.org/

Thursday Spotlight: Home Instead Senior Care

2010-10-14T15:48:00.000-04:00

As a special thank you to Home Instead Senior Care, the music sponsor at our Moe's Bar B Que event on September 30th, we'd like to direct our Four Seasons online community of readers to their website for more information on the wonderful services they provide!

http://www.homeinstead.com/159/Pages/HomeInsteadSeniorCare.aspx

Understanding Hospice Care

2010-10-07T15:57:00.000-04:00

BIG thanks to Moe's Original Bar B Que!

2010-10-01T16:31:00.000-04:00

Many thanks to Dave Rice and his staff at Moe's Original Bar B Que for a great fundraiser last night! Over 200 people came out for a fun night of wonderful food and amazing bluegrass music courtesy of The Redeye Ramblers.

We encourage you, friends of Four Seasons, to head on down to Biltmore Village to see Dave and his crew at Moe's-you won't be disappointed!

4 Sweeten Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28804
828-505-8282

Employment Opportunity at Four Seasons: 9/27/10

2010-09-27T12:02:00.000-04:00

Four Seasons-Compassion for Life is hiring for the following positions:

RN: Full time day and night positions available to provide direct patient care and perform ongoing nursing assessments of patient and family needs. Positions will work Monday-Friday, 8:00 A.M.-4:30 P.M. or 3:00 P.M.-11:00 P.M. Days of the week will vary.

Please visit http://www.fourseasonscfl.org/ under 'Jobs' for more information or call 828-692-6178.

Four Seasons Orientation and Training Schedule

2010-09-20T10:02:00.000-04:00

Thursday, October 14, 2010 1:00 pm – 4:30pm

Location: Greatrex Place (Four Seasons administrative building)

The above orientation is required for all volunteer positions.

Additional training classes will be required for those who wish to be involved in Patient Care (Home Care, Elizabeth House, Nursing Care, or Assisted Living facilities). All of the following classes must be completed prior to working directly with patients:

Session 1: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Session 2: Thursday, October 21, 2010 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Session 3: Tuesday, October 26, 2010 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Session 4: Thursday, October 28, 2010 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Location: Hilton-Biltmore Park hotel

For more information or to register for any of the above classes, please contact:

Donna Nawrocki, Director of Volunteer Services at 828-233-0327

*In case of inclement weather, please call 692-6178 to see if classes are running on schedule.

Dr. David Troxler Joins Staff of Four Seasons

2010-09-16T13:45:00.000-04:00

Four Seasons is pleased to announce that David H. Troxler, MD joined the staff as a consultant in palliative medicine on July 26, 2010.

John Morris, MD, medical director of palliative care said, “We are extremely excited to welcome David Troxler to the Four Seasons palliative care team at Mission Hospital. Dr. Troxler’s clinical experience is extremely helpful in caring for patients and families who are stressed with serious illness, but it is his compassion and good communication skills that make him an ideal physician for palliative care. His positive attitude and energetic personality encourage everyone that he encounters. We are very fortunate to have Dr. Troxler join Four Seasons palliative care team at Mission Hospital.”

Troxler is a well-known member of the Asheville medical community and was a partner with Asheville Pulmonary and Critical Care Associates from 1983 to 2010. He has been recognized as one of the "Best Doctors in NC" by the Business North Carolina Magazine from 2004 to 2009.

Troxler said, "I felt this was a real opportunity for me to use my experience in the practice of pulmonary and critical care medicine as a valuable asset in helping patients and their families deal with the complex medical, social and psychological issues which arise with life-limiting and critical illness."

Troxler joins John Morris MD, Holly Pilewski PA, Rikki Nugent FNP, Tina Garren RN, and Wendy Billingsley LCSW of the Four Seasons palliative care team, who have been serving Buncombe County at the Mission Hospital System since March of 2010.

"Between us, Dr. Morris and I have 50 years of experience in dealing with seriously ill patients in Buncombe and Henderson Counties. I am proud to have joined Four Seasons, an organization which is truly physician-driven and physician-led, and yet which offers multidisciplinary, comprehensive psychosocial support to the families of critically ill patients, with a complete team of specially trained professionals dedicated to a high quality of service. This team approach is absolutely essential to the holistic care of patients and success of Four Seasons Palliative Care."

Four Seasons’ palliative care services are offered to patients and families stressed by serious illness in hospitals, nursing homes, or home settings. The team specializes in symptom management, psychosocial stress, spiritual care, and advance care planning.

Four Seasons is a non-profit organization led by a dedicated team of health care professionals, social workers, spiritual care professionals and volunteers. The organization is nationally recognized for quality of care, and has an active teaching and research staff which has also received national recognition. Four Seasons currently serves patients in Henderson, Buncombe and Transylvania counties. Beginning October 1, Four Seasons will also serve patients in Macon County and surrounding areas.

Four Seasons to Sponsor “Healing with Horses”: A Teen Grief Support Camp

2010-09-13T08:39:00.000-04:00

A unique opportunity for grieving teenagers, using the assistance of horses in group therapy, will be held on two consecutive Saturdays: October 16th and 23rd. The camp is offered by Four Seasons with the direction and collaboration of the equine therapy team at “Horse Sense of the Carolinas” in Marshall, NC.

Transportation to and from the “Horse Sense” facility for the first session will be provided by Four Seasons. The teens will meet their four-legged therapists and begin exploring their individual grief issues through specially planned activities. The second session will be held at Greatrex Place on the Four Seasons campus in Flat Rock. Horse-riding skills are not required to participate in this camp.

During the two days of sharing and learning through this established form of experiential therapy with horses, the teens will have a unique opportunity to explore their grief experiences without judgment or criticism. Together, the teens will learn new coping skills for their grief journeys and gain confidence to deal with their changing worlds. The sessions are facilitated throughout both days by a trained equine specialist and therapist, and a hospice bereavement counselor.

Teens ages 14-19 who have experienced the loss of a significant loved one are eligible and encouraged to apply. Teens must be able to commit to both Saturdays. For more information or an application, please call the Four Seasons Bereavement Department at 692-6178, or go to our website at www.fourseasonscfl.org.

Press Release: Four Seasons is #1 hospice provider in NC!

2010-09-10T15:55:00.000-04:00

Four Seasons–Compassion for Life has been recognized as the top hospice provider in North Carolina in terms of how well the organization served its local community. In 2009, Four Seasons served 63.74% of all deaths in Henderson County, the greatest percentage of any hospice in North Carolina. The state average is 31.75%, according to a report from the Carolina’s Center for Hospice & End of Life Care.

Chris Comeaux, president/CEO of Four Seasons, said, “This is one of the best measures of how well a hospice is serving its community. Our vision is to provide the best end-of-life care to all those who need it in Western North Carolina.”

Four Seasons is a non-profit organization led by a dedicated team of health care professionals, social workers, spiritual care professionals and volunteers. Four Seasons currently serves patients in Henderson, Buncombe and Transylvania counties. Beginning October 1, Four Seasons will also serve Macon County and surrounding areas.

Travel safely, Dr. Bull and Michelle!

2010-09-08T08:37:00.000-04:00

Michelle Webb, VP of Clinical Services and Dr. Janet Bull, Chief Medical Officer

Four Seasons is very excited about Dr. Bull and Michelle's trip to Zambia on Saturday, September 11, 2010! Please keep these two amazing women in your thoughts and prayers as they bring compassionate end-of-life care to the underserved country of Zambia in southern Africa. For more information about Four Seasons in Zambia, please visit the following page:

http://www.fourseasonscfl.org/zambia.htm

Palliative Care Extends Life, Study Finds

2010-09-07T13:44:00.000-04:00

- The New York Times Headline, August 19, 2010

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/health/20doctors.html?_r=1

The exciting and important study released August 18, 2010 in The New England Journal of Medicine received tremendous attention in the press. Stories ran in The New York Times, Associated Press, Boston Globe, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and over 280 other media outlets. Earlier this month, there was also a powerful article in The New Yorker by Atul Gawande, MD. This extensive coverage provides an opportunity to bring attention to the benefits of palliative care.

Conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital, the study showed that patients with metastatic lung cancer who received palliative care along with standard treatment had improved quality of life, less depression and lived longer than patients who received standard treatment alone. In the same issue, an editorial review of the study by Diane E. Meier, MD and Amy S. Kelly, MD summarized the findings and implications.

The data show that patients receiving palliative care early in their illness may live longer and with better quality of life, including decreased depression.

• The results underscore the need for palliative care early in a serious illness.

• The results would appear to refute the notion that palliative care means giving up. Patients received palliative care alongside their curative treatment.

• Although this is only one study, it is an exciting one. The results are not surprising. Palliative care clinicians regularly see these outcomes in practice.

• The study didn't look at the reasons why the palliative care group felt better and lived longer, but possible reasons may include: patients who feel better are more likely to keep their doctor appointments, complete their treatments and take their medications.

Palliative care is available in over 50% of US hospitals. It should be available in all hospitals to make sure that all people facing serious illness can access it.

Four Seasons offers palliative care in all settings and is nationally recognized for excellence in palliative care.

Four Seasons Volunteer Opportunity

2010-09-03T15:23:00.000-04:00

Are you someone who is looking for an opportunity to give back to your community? Four Seasons may be able to help you in your quest. We are looking for volunteers to help in Elizabeth House. Elizabeth House, often referred to as Four Seasons’ “hospice hospital”, provides a home-like environment where our interdisciplinary team can address challenging symptoms that cannot be managed elsewhere. Elizabeth House is also a place where respite care is provided for the benefit of both patient and loved ones.

As a volunteer at Elizabeth House, you will socialize with patients/greet families and perform tasks such as assisting with meals, filing, and stock supplies.

Four Seasons’ next volunteer training begins on October 14th and we would love for you to be a part of that training. Please call 692-6178 for more information!

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WHO PARTICIPATED AND PROVIDED SUPPORT FOR OUR 7TH ANNUAL CAMP HEART SONGS!

2010-09-01T15:36:00.000-04:00

Saturday, August 21, 2010 was a great day at Camp Falling Creek! The afternoon rain didn’t slow down the 22 camper/participants, the many staff and volunteers who helped out, or the parents who brought their children and stayed for the support group and closing program.

Some of the highlights of the day included an interactive music therapy session, making memory boxes, having a great lunch and snacks, climbing the rock wall, interacting with the therapy dogs, and spending time in small groups sharing about the losses the children have experienced.

We are grateful for each of our staff who gave of their time and themselves to provide a fun and meaningful experience for the children we serve. A very special thank you to Tricia Williams for her dedicated leadership for the camp. Thanks also to Elaine McKinney for using her organizational skills to keep everyone on track and to make sure the camp ran smoothly and to Linda Barbera and the Safety Team for creating a safe environment for the camp.

It really is a unique and meaningful opportunity to be with children who have lost a mother, a father, a grandparent, a sibling or someone very close to them. We very much appreciate each of our staff and volunteers for giving the gift of their time, compassion and themselves to directly impact or provide support for these children during this time.

Thank you to all our Four Seasons Staff and volunteers for your support of Camp Heart Songs!

Four Seasons Home Store shoppers…You won’t want to miss the amazing sale happening this weekend during Hendersonville’s 64th Annual Apple Festival!

2010-08-31T09:12:00.000-04:00

As you enjoy the arts and crafts, tasty fall treats and live entertainment, be sure to stop by the Four Seasons Home Store for the Summer Clothing Sale.

For $10.00, you may fill an oversized brown bag with as many articles of clothing, pairs of shoes and bags as you can. We couldn’t think of a better way to transition into Fall-see you this weekend at the Four Seasons Home Store!

Four Seasons Orientation and Training Schedule

2010-08-26T08:25:00.000-04:00

A new volunteer orientation class will be offered on the following date:

Thursday, October 14, 2010 1:00 pm – 4:30pm

The above orientation is required for all volunteer positions.

Additional training classes will be required for those who wish to be involved in Patient Care (Home Care, Elizabeth House, Nursing Care, or Assisted Living facilities). All of the following classes must be completed prior to working directly with patients:

Session 1: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Session 2: Thursday, October 21, 2010 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Session 3: Tuesday, October 26, 2010 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Session 4: Thursday, October 28, 2010 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Location: To be determined

For more information or to register for any of the above classes, please contact:

Donna Nawrocki, Director of Volunteer Services at 233-0327

*In case of inclement weather, please call 692-6178 to see if classes are running on schedule.

Bark of the Blog: A Pet's Ten Commandments

2010-08-18T12:55:00.001-04:00

Happy Wednesday to all my fellow compassion lovers!

I wanted to share some special words of advice with all of you. Even though they will be most relevant for my four-legged friends, these "rules" can help us all to be more aware of how we treat one another-especially our loved ones in the final stage of life.

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

That's all for now! See you next time on 'Bark of the Blog'..

Always remember to run and play daily,

Wolfy

When to Begin Hospice

2010-08-16T10:12:00.000-04:00

FOUR SEASONS SET TO IMPROVE HOSPICE SERVICES IN MACON COUNTY WITH LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS

2010-08-11T11:53:00.000-04:00

Press Release

Contact: Chris Comeaux
Phone: (828) 692-6178 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 9, 2010

Chris Comeaux, president/CEO of Four Seasons, announced today that Highlands-Cashiers Hospital in Macon County will transfer hospice services to Four Seasons effective October 1, 2010. Four Seasons, a non-profit agency, has been providing a high level of compassionate and professional care for people facing serious life-limiting illness in Western North Carolina since 1981.

Comeaux said, “This transfer of services will enable Highlands-Cashiers Hospital to focus on their core hospital operations, while Four Seasons will work on improving the end-of-life care services to the residents of the Highlands-Cashiers area and to the residents of Macon County.”

Currently in Macon County, only about one in five people who could benefit from hospice are being served with hospice services. This ratio is one of the lowest in North Carolina.

Additionally, in 2009, the Hospice House Foundation of WNC, Inc. in Macon County, chose Four Seasons to partner with them to build a six-bed hospice inpatient unit to serve the area. There are currently 28 Hospice Houses in North Carolina, but none west of Asheville. An inpatient facility offers a homelike atmosphere where care can be provided to hospice patients and challenging symptoms can be addressed.

“We saw an opportunity to really improve end-of-life care services in the area with these two partnerships,” Comeaux said.

Michele Alderson, president of the Hospice House Foundation of WNC, Inc., said, “The Foundation chose Four Seasons as their partner to operate the facility because they are not only one of the top hospices agencies in North Carolina, but are one of the premier hospice and palliative care agencies in the country.” Four Seasons served over 77 percent of the deaths in Henderson County last year.

“Through our partnerships with Highlands-Cashiers Hospice and the Hospice House Foundation, our hope is to help many more patients and families in this area of WNC who are going through a very difficult time of life,” Comeaux said.

He added that the Four Seasons’ board of directors has made a strategic decision to position the agency as a regional hospice provider to ensure that the very best in end-of-life care services are available to everyone in Western North Carolina. The board of directors also wants to position Four Seasons to be sustainable far into the future, regardless of changes to the national healthcare system. “Integrating Highlands-Cashiers Hospice into Four Seasons end-of-life care services is a great opportunity to meet both these objectives,” he said.

Carolyn Lawton, currently staff development program manager for Four Seasons, has been named the interim executive director of the Highlands-Cashiers Hospice, and Rebekah Reeves, currently director of internal education, will serve as the transitional clinical director.

Four Seasons is one of the most respected end-of-life care specialists in the country. Since 1981, Four Seasons has provided a high level of compassionate and professional care for people facing serious life-limiting illness in Western North Carolina. It is a non-profit organization led by a dedicated team of health care professionals, social workers, spiritual care professionals and volunteers.

THANK YOU to our golf tournament sponsors!!

2010-08-09T15:27:00.001-04:00

What a success! In spite of some afternoon thunderstorms which halted play, our 12th annual golf tournament-the Rob Cranford Classic raised over $23,000 and brought together a phenomenal group of golfers, volunteers and staff. We want to say thank you to everyone involved, especially the following sponsors:

-Morrow Insurance
-WLOS News 13
-Park Ridge Health
-Thos. Shepherd and Son Funeral Directors
-Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation
-WNC Family Medical Center
-First Citizens Bank of Hendersonville
-96.9 The Mix
-Pepsi Bottling Co
-Coca Cola
-Atlanta Bread Co.

Without you, the Four Seasons mission of providing end-of-life care regardless of one's ability to pay would not be possible. THANK YOU!

Livability

2010-08-06T09:34:00.002-04:00

Christmas in August Sale

2010-08-05T17:16:00.002-04:00

The Four Seasons Hospice Home Store will be holding a “Christmas in August” sale for the entire month. Hundreds of Christmas items will be displayed and priced very low. We have an abundance of vintage and newer Christmas items to suit all tastes. Sale starts Friday August 5 and runs through the end of the month.

What is Hospice Care?

2010-07-30T12:27:00.000-04:00

Bark of the Blog: Making a 'Paws-itive' Difference as a Four Seasons Volunteer

2010-07-29T08:33:00.000-04:00

What a day! I got to meet 38 new volunteers who just completed Four Seasons Volunteer Orientation. Boy, did I get lots of love and treats! Woof! These volunteers, like me, make an amazing difference for our patients and families. We get to do all sorts of fun stuff in helping our clinical staff have more time to spend with our patients and families. We get to go to Elizabeth House and help with pass out the lunch and dinner trays (my favorite part!) and put away laundry into the special closets right next to our patients’ rooms. We also get to visit people in their homes - whether it’s a nursing home, an assisted living facility (ALF) or a regular house.

When you volunteer at Four Seasons, there are many different areas where you can make a difference-it’s almost endless! You can work with patients and families, help with administrative duties in the office, plan special events, and soooo much more that I am just not able to write it all down! If you want to help, too, call us at 692-6178 and the nice people in the volunteer department will answer all your questions. That Donna is really nice - she keeps treats in her office for me, and boy, do I make sure to see her every time I come to the office! Volunteering at Four Seasons is very rewarding and I recommend that all my two- and four- legged friends (we do pet therapy) call in and find out how they can experience this fulfilling volunteer work. And guess what? You even get treats!

Always remember to run and play daily,

Wolfy

Caring for someone who is seriously ill?

2010-07-28T08:19:00.000-04:00

We can help!

Check out our e-newsletter for families

Go to:
www.seriousillness.org/fourseasons

Zambia Partnership

2010-07-23T10:09:00.001-04:00

Four Seasons has partnered with the Palliative Care Association of Zambia (PCAZ) through the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa to provide compassionate end-of-life care.

For more information about Four Seasons' Zambia Partnership visit: www.fourseasonscfl.org/zambia.htm

Introducing: Wolfy, Our New Blog Correspondent!

2010-07-22T16:20:00.002-04:00

WOLFY

Age: Puppy at heart

Interests: Traveling, visiting patients, going to meetings with Mark, spreading the Four Seasons message of compassion for life, making people smile, TREATS! (especially chicken or steak), having my belly rubbed

Journey to Four Seasons: The first time I visited Elizabeth House (EH), I was kind of scared. I think the people there were scared to see me too, but we all became fast friends. Stay tuned for the rest of my story…

What the people at EH didn’t know about me and what I would like to share with all of you is that I have special training to help people. Mark, my new best friend, tells me I’m a ‘pet therapy’ dog. I love people of all ages and think I’m pretty good at helping them feel warm and fuzzy, especially in stressful situations. I was so grateful for, and inspired by, the care I saw given at Elizabeth House that I have spent the past few years working for Four Seasons in any way that I can. Luckily, they hired me a few days ago to be a correspondent on their blog-howwwwl-lelujah! I can’t wait to share with you all the ways I see Four Seasons spreading compassion throughout Western North Carolina. Whenever you see a post called "Bark of the Blog", that's me!

Always remember to run and play daily,

Wolfy

Countdown begins to the Rob Cranford Classic!

2010-07-15T14:41:00.000-04:00

Get excited, Four Seasons friends! The 12th annual golf tournament-The Rob Cranford Classic-is less than a month away...

When: August 6, 2010

Where: Cummings Cove Golf and Country Club

Schedule:

11:00 AM: Registration and lunch
12:00 noon: Shotgun start
5:30 PM: Dinner and awards

For more information, please visit the main Four Seasons website at http://www.fourseasonscfl.org/ or e-mail Stephanie Dylewski at sdylewski@fourseasonscfl.org!

Four Seasons joins Hospice of Rutherford County to form Livability, LLC

2010-07-12T13:21:00.001-04:00

Contact Heidi Owen at 828-233-0348

Flat Rock and Forest City— Chris Comeaux, CEO of Four Seasons in Flat Rock, NC and Rita Burch, Executive Director of Hospice of Rutherford County in Forest City, NC announced a joint venture between their respective organizations to help people in Western North Carolina live in their own homes for as long as possible. The collaborative effort called Livability, LLC, is a consulting and retrofitting business that specializes in universal design concepts for home safety and accessibility.

“Four Seasons and Hospice of Rutherford County combine many years of experience in caring for chronically and terminally ill patients and their families,” Comeaux said. “Since the 1980's, both hospices have acquired a reputation of excellence in serving patients in the mountains and foothills, and Livability is an extension of their missions.”

Thousands of people are seeking an alternative to assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. Some require immediate changes in living arrangements due to disability, aging, or chronic conditions. Others simply wish to adapt their homes in preparation for the future. Livability aims to assist all of these individuals by remodeling their current residence, utilizing universal design principles to allow them to remain in the comfort and familiarity of their own home. The Livability team of experienced contrac-tors combine building and design experience with health care knowledge and compassion to create a safe and comfortable environment for those who need it most. Livability will serve homeowners of all ages from all walks of life throughout Henderson, Rutherford, Polk, Transylvania and Buncombe counties.

Heidi Owen, Director of Community Services for Hospice of Rutherford County for the past sixteen years, will serve as Executive Director of Livability. Owen, originally from Etowah and now a resident of Rutherford County, has a bachelors degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina and a masters degree in business administration with a health care concentration from Gardner-Webb University. She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive as well as a Certified Aging in Place Specialist. Owen has served as project manager over construction of all facilities at Hospice of Rutherford County.

“Heidi will ensure that Livability clients are cared for with the same professionalism and compassion that our hospice and palliative care patients expect,” Burch said. “People of all ages will be able to trust that they have received the best service possible.”

For more information about Livability or to request a home assessment, contact Heidi Owen at (828) 233-0348 or visit the Livability website at http://www.livabilityhome.org./

Thank You Ann!

2010-06-30T07:00:00.000-04:00

Volunteer Ann Klimstra helps the staff at Elizabeth House keep the linen closet stocked. Thank you, Ann, for all you do!

For more information about Four Seasons and our services please visit our website at: fourseasonscfl.org

Meet Barbara Land

2010-06-28T07:00:00.001-04:00

Four Seasons appreciates all our volunteers, like Barbara, who help with administrative duties at our office!

For more information about Four Seasons and our services please visit our website at: fourseasonscfl.org

Meet Don & Jean Hoogstra

2010-06-26T07:00:00.004-04:00

Not too long ago, Don and Jean Hoogstra helped with our Tree of Lights mailing. Jean is the founder and matriarch of our organization. She has been volunteering for Four Seasons for over 30 years!

For more information about Four Seasons and our services please visit our website at: fourseasonscfl.org

Tea Cart..mmm...

2010-06-24T07:00:00.001-04:00

A big “thank you” to a special group of volunteers who regularly prepare a “Tea Cart” for patients and families at Elizabeth House!

For more information about Four Seasons and our services please visit our website at: fourseasonscfl.org

Meet Wolfy

2010-06-22T07:00:00.005-04:00

One of our therapy dogs, Wolfy, enjoys visiting volunteer coordinator, Donna Nawrocki, in her office. Wolfy is one of several Four Seasons pet therapy dogs who visit with patients regularly!

For more information about Four Seasons and our services please visit our website at: fourseasonscfl.org

Thank you Lorraine!

2010-06-20T07:00:00.002-04:00

Hospice Home Store volunteers like Lorraine work very hard to make the store a great place to shop and donate. All proceeds from the store support the services of Four Seasons. Visit us on Main Street in Downtown Hendersonville!

For more information about Four Seasons and our services please visit our website at: fourseasonscfl.org

Our Beautiful Gardens Don't Just Happen...

2010-06-18T07:00:00.005-04:00

A big thank you to all the volunteers who make the gardens at Elizabeth House so beautiful! Tom Boys was seen recently watering the garden, which is especially beautiful this time of year.

For more information about Four Seasons and our services please visit our website at: fourseasonscfl.org

Four Seasons' Circle of Life Bear

2010-06-16T07:00:00.002-04:00

Come on out and visit the Four Seasons’ “Circle of Life Bear” in downtown Hendersonville! The bear was designed and painted by local artist, Vicki Butner. She named it the “Circle of Life Bear” in honor of Four Seasons being awarded the Circle of Life Award from the American Hospital Association last year. The bear is part of Downtown Hendersonville’s Bearfootin’ Exhibit and can be seen right outside the Hospice Home Store at 215 North Main Street.

For more information about Four Seasons and our services please visit our website at: fourseasonscfl.org

Four Seasons to Partner with Macon Co. Hospice House Foundation

2010-06-14T07:59:00.004-04:00

The Hospice House Foundation of WNC, Inc. Macon County is proud to announce their partnership with Four Seasons, a non-profit end-of-life care agency serving Buncombe, Henderson and Transylvania counties.

The mission of the Hospice House Foundation of WNC, Inc. is to provide an inpatient facility for hospice patients for end of life care, and to support our hospice patients and families in our community. The non-profit, private foundation was formed by a group of local hospice volunteers, doctors and community members who saw the need as a result of their various experiences with loved ones and patients.

Seeing this great need for a facility, the Hospice House Foundation of WNC, Inc., petitioned the state of North Carolina in writing, and appeared personally before the State Medical Facilities Planning Commission on three different occasions in 2009 requesting six beds for Macon County. Hospice beds must be granted by the State of North Carolina, just like hospital beds, MRI Units, etc. The Foundation’s Petition for six beds was granted in September of 2009.

The Foundation chose Four Seasons as their partner to operate the facility because they are not only one of the top hospice agencies in North Carolina, but are one of the premier hospice and palliative care agencies in the country. Four Seasons specializes in end-of-life care, and has been serving their area since 1981, and are now passionately and compassionately, serving over 600 patients daily in their homes, and in their inpatient facility, Elizabeth House, located on their campus in Flat Rock, NC. In 2009, Four Seasons was one of only three organizations in the United States that specialize in end-of-life care, to receive the prestigious Circle of Life Award.

By choosing Four Seasons as its partner, the Hospice House Foundation of WNC, Inc., will be closer to making a hospice inpatient facility become a reality for hospice families in Macon County.

For more information contact:

Michele Alderson, President
Hospice House Foundation of WNC, Inc.
PO Box 815
Franklin, NC 28744
http://www.hospicehousefoundationwnc.com/
828-524-6375

For more information about Four Seasons and our services please visit our website at: fourseasonscfl.org

Men's Grief Support Group

2010-06-14T07:00:00.001-04:00

A Men’s Grief Support Group will meet on Tuesday, June 22 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Please call the Four Seasons’ bereavement department at 828-233-0307 to register or for more information.

For more information about Four Seasons and our services please visit our website at: fourseasonscfl.org

Will Grief counseling help?

2010-06-12T07:55:00.001-04:00

Have you or someone you know experienced the loss of a loved one? Perhaps you have wondered if it would help to talk with someone about your grief and loss. Here’s a checklist to see if grief counseling might help. If you answer yes to any of these questions, you or someone you know might benefit from grief counseling.

___ Yes ___ No Someone I cared about died suddenly or unexpectedly.

___ Yes ___ No I have experienced multiple losses.

___ Yes ___ No Since my loss, my thoughts and emotions interfere with my work or other important areas of my life.

___ Yes ___ No Since my loss I have experienced a significant financial hardship.

___ Yes ___ No Since my loss I have a tremendous sense of guilt.

___ Yes ___ No Since my loss, my appetite and/or weight have changed.

___ Yes ___ No Since my loss, my sleep patterns have changed.

___ Yes ___ No Since my loss I have had problems with, or I am concerned about my physical health.

___ Yes ___ No Since my loss, I am unusually irritable or angry.

___ Yes ___ No Since my loss, I feel very much detached from others and/or my surroundings.

___ Yes ___ No Since my loss, I am using alcohol, substances or prescription drugs to try to cope.

___ Yes ___ No Since my loss, I have developed a pessimistic attitude about the future.

___Yes ___ No Since my loss, an upsetting image (or images) keep coming to mind.

___Yes ___ No I need more support to deal with my loss than is available to me from my family or friends.

___ Yes ___ No I believe it would be helpful to talk with someone about the loss I have experienced that I am trying to deal with on my own.
Four Seasons’ Bereavement Department offers individual counseling, support groups and educational
information for those who are experiencing grief and loss related to the death of a loved one or someone close to them. Please contact our Bereavement Department at 233-0307 for more information. We are here to help.

For more information about Four Seasons and our services please visit our website at: fourseasonscfl.org

12th Annual Golf Tournament

2010-06-11T09:25:00.002-04:00

National Health Care Decision Day

2010-06-10T07:00:00.002-04:00

In the hospital conference room, four adult sons and daughters of Mr B. were seated in front of me. They were arguing, debating, and trying to decide what their father would want to do in this situation. The tension was palpable. Mr. B. had suffered a stroke with brain damage such that he couldn’t speak for himself. Now his family was gathered to give the medical team guidance on what his wishes would be. Mr. B. loved life, but he could no longer live without long term medical support. New medical technology provides families with many confusing and stressful choices. Would he want a feeding tube? Would he want life support machines? The brothers and sisters debated and disagreed. The one thing they all agreed on was that Mr. B. would not want to see them fighting.
I was there with the palliative care team to help care for this family during this difficult time. Our palliative care team provides physical, emotional, and spiritual support and guidance to patients and families stressed with serious illness. The team consists of physicians, nurses, a social worker and a chaplain to provide holistic family care and support. Each team member was needed as the family struggled for days with difficult decisions, guilt, and sadness.
Dealing with a serious medical illness in the family is very stressful. This stress can be compounded when a family argues over choices for medical care. It didn’t have to be this difficult for Mr.B.’s family. April 16, 2010 is National Health Care Decision day. This is a time when all adults are encouraged to discuss their health care preferences with their loved ones and document these preferences in an approved advance directive.

Advance directives come in two main forms:
1. A "healthcare power of attorney” documents the person you have selected to be your voice for your healthcare decisions if you cannot speak for yourself.
2. A "living will" documents what medical treatments you would or would not want at the end of life.
These forms can be obtained from your physician’s office or downloaded from sites like these:
CaringInfo.org
AgingWithDignity.org

A study published April 1, 2010 in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that many of us will need decisions made regarding treatment options at some point in our lives. Those that documented their wishes within advance directives were more likely to receive the care they preferred.
The documents are important in themselves, but it is also very important to discuss your wishes and have a conversation with your loved ones. When would you want to be allowed to die naturally? When would you want medical procedures to sustain life?

Five years after Terri Schiavo, 70 to 80% of Americans still have not completed advance directives. Her family’s public fight regarding her care should encourage us all to discuss and document our wishes to prevent family strife.

Take the time today to speak with your loved ones and document your wishes in an advance directive. It is a wonderful way to care for your loved ones and take the burden of these difficult decisions off their shoulders. Do not wait. Terri Schiavo was 26 when she developed her health problems. April 16, 2010 is a good day to give your family a gift. Have these discussions and complete an advance directive.

John Morris MD is a Palliative Medicine physician with Four Seasons providing consultation service daily at local hospitals. He is the Medical Director of Palliative Care for Four Seasons, which provides Circle of Life award winning palliative care services in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and homes throughout Henderson, Buncombe and Transylvania counties.

For more information about Four Seasons and our services please visit our website at: fourseasonscfl.org

Recent Healthcare Reform Presents Challenges

2010-06-08T07:00:00.002-04:00

Four Seasons, as well as every other hospice and palliative care provider, is facing challenges in the future due to the healthcare bill recently signed into law: the Patient Protection and Affordable Care healthcare reform bill approved by the Senate and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act approved by the House. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated the cost of these two bills to be over $940 billion over ten years. I wanted to make you aware of how the approval of the bills will affect the hospice and palliative care industry. There will be hospice payment reform beginning in 2011 through 2013. This means that hospice claim forms and cost reports will be updated and revisions to the methodology for determining the payment rates for routine homecare and other services included in hospice care will be
implemented. By 2012, quality reporting measures will be published. By 2014, all hospice agencies will be required to report on quality
measures that have been predetermined or face a 2% reduction in their rates. We look forward to this requirement as Four Seasons has been working for almost a decade on creating a system of care that delivers excellence to our patients and their families.

In summary, over the next ten years the industry will experience decreased reimbursement, increased regulation, qualityoutcomes reporting, and the need for increased innovation. These will present challenges to those providing care throughout the country. Four Seasons has been preparing for
these changes and will continue to do so. I want to assure you that as our agency navigates these modifications, we will remain true to our mission; in fact we plan on furthering it. The patient and family will always be at the center of each decision that we make. We will provide the best-quality care while focusing on the individual goals of the patient and family.

Written by: by Chris Comeaux, President/CEO

For more information about Four Seasons and our services please visit our website at: fourseasonscfl.org