Four Seasons physician honored as "fellow"

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?

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

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!

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"

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

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

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!

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!

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

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

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

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

BIG thanks to Moe's Original Bar B Que!

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

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

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.

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

• 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

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

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!

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!

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

- 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

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!

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!

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

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.

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

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.

When to Begin Hospice

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

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!!

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

Christmas in August Sale

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?

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

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?

We can help!


Check out our e-newsletter for families

Go to:
www.seriousillness.org/fourseasons

Zambia Partnership

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!

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!

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

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!

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

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

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...

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

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!

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...

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

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

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

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?

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

National Health Care Decision Day

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

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

"Sharing Life's Melodies" Camp Heart Songs: 7th Annual Grief Camp

Please join us for a day of sharing the melodies of each other’s grief experiences.

Participate in the emotional, social and lyrical tunes of life.

Application due by July 16, 2010.

Registration is limited. Please call the Heart Songs coordinator at (828) 692-6178 for an application.

Date: Saturday, August 21, 2010

 Time:  8am - 5pm
Parents must be present for registration
Place:  Falling Creek Camp, Zirconia, NC
Ages:  6-14 years of age
Click here to learn more

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

Grieving Parent Support

Four Seasons will offer a Grieving Parent Support Group on Wednesday, June 9 from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. at their office, 571 South Allen Road in Flat Rock.

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

Author Jo Maeder is in town

Today, Four Seasons’ volunteer department welcomes author Jo Maeder at 2 pm. Maeder, who is in town for BRCC’s Bookfest 2010, wrote When I Married My Mother: A Daughter’s Search for What Really Matters – and How She Found It Caring For Mama Jo. Thank you, Jo, for your presentation!

For more information about Four Seasons and our services please visit our website at: fourseasonscfl.org
Click here to visit Jo's website.

Meet Greg Virga - Hospice Home Store

I am excited to be here. Four Seasons is a wonderful organization and the store has a very high potential. I held the position of Volunteer Coordinator for the United Way in New York. At the same time I owned a resale/antique store in NY for 7 years and was very successful. My wife and I relocated South to be near my in-laws. At the time I accepted a director’s position with the Red Cross in South Carolina. When the store manager position came open I told my wife it was my dream job. I could still be involved with a nonprofit and also run a store which I have a passion for.

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

Look Who's Joined Our Staff at Four Seasons

We ask our new employees “What compelled you to join Four Seasons?” Read and enjoy their responses.

David Ackerman, Help Desk/ IT Support
“I enjoy working for a good cause and helping people. After meeting the employees here and learning more about what we do and what we stand for, I just had to be a part.” David enjoys outdoor activities and says he loves hiking, fishing and disc golf.

Wendy Billingsley, Hospital Liaison
“I joined Four Seasons because I enjoy helping people navigate through difficult life circumstances. I believe that if people have the opportunity to understand the end-of-life process and have support throughout the way, they will transition through with better emotional outcomes.” Outside of work Wendy enjoys running, hiking, camping, reading, and fiddling with the computer.

Trevor Dale, Operations Analyst
"I joined Four Seasons because the organization has a good history and great future.” Trevor enjoys movies, walking, and any water activity.

Lori Green, Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner
Lori was drawn to work at Four Seasons by the “opportunity to work as a Family Nurse Practitioner providing Palliative Care.” Outside of work Lori enjoys knitting, going to the movies and spending time with family and friends.

Derek Groves, Director of Development
“My personal experience with hospice and work as a volunteer for a hospice organization.” Derek enjoys eating at Asheville’s many vegan restaurants, spending time at home and working out. Derek also enjoys making new friends in NC, reading and hanging out at Starbucks!

Clara Harshbarger, CNA
“I was part of the nursing home team for Four Seasons back in 2003. I joined because of how I saw them care for both of my grandparents. I thought, ‘I want to be a part of that!’ I left to pursue massage therapy and am finally working my way back in.” Clara enjoys reading, hiking at Carl Sandburg, working with plants and doing activities with her children.

Todd McDaniel, LPN
“Positive employees and community encouragement. My desire to assist in enhancing someone’s end-of-life experience (individual and family). I’ve appreciated hospice first hand and wanted to be a part of this family. I am excited and grateful to be part of such an awesome team! I hope to meet as many of you as possible and continue these wonderful efforts for our community.” Todd enjoys working with his horses, target shooting, fishing, hunting, antiquing with his wife and the other outdoor stuff.

Holly Pilewski, Palliative Care Physician Assistant
“Two things - I wasn’t satisfied with my work in the ER and I felt like a lot of people with chronic conditions weren’t receiving the best care by their primary care providers and in turn, frequently visited the ER. Secondly, my grandma had a short stay with hospice and through that experience I found I wanted to work in palliative care. Not to mention, I also wanted to move to this area.” Holly enjoys watching/ playing sports. Her favorites to watch are college basketball and football and her favorites to play are softball and tennis. She also likes running, hiking, laying in the sun on the beach, and spending quality time with her friends.

Lance Plyler, Staff Physician
“Desire to serve people medically who are dealing with end-of-life issues.” Dr. Plyler enjoys church-related activities, missions, fitness, sports and hiking.

Rene Richardson, RN Case Manager
“I missed doing hospice care and I agree with the company’s mission and values. Everyone seems to love what they do and put their hearts into it.” Outside of work, Rene enjoys playing with her kids, being a hockey mom, reading and traveling.

Rick Scronce, Director of Information Technology
“I’ve worked in healthcare for over 18 years and I enjoy being able to help others in any capacity.” Outside of work, Rick enjoys working in the lawn and gardening. Rick also enjoys sports and is a fan of the Braves, Redskins, and NC Tarheel basketball.

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

Meet Jennifer Hovendon, Elizabeth House Staff Physician

Jennifer Hovendon, MD, has been a caring staff physician at Four Seasons’ Elizabeth House since 2004. She is deeply committed to providing the most holistic and compassionate care to patients and their families while focusing on excellence in the management of complex symptoms. Helping patients and families understand what to expect next is a crucial part of her everyday role.

Jennifer grew up in Westchester Count y, New York. She graduated from Amherst College in western Massachusetts with degrees in biology and French language and literature. She earned her MD degree at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1994. Moving ever southward, she completed her Family Medicine residency at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, where she served as Co-Chief Resident.

She moved to Hendersonville in 1997, joining Blue Ridge Community Health Services as a primary care physician. She then became a clinical facult y member for the Hendersonville Family Practice Residency Program for 4 years prior to joining Four Seasons. She is board certified in both Family Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine.

Jennifer and her husband keep busy at home with their two children and a menagerie of pets. She also currently serves on the board of Our Children’s Place, an innovative correctional program designed to help break the intergenerational cycle of crime, poverty, substance abuse and family violence.

Four Seasons Anticipates the Future

I think many of you would agree that we are living in very interesting times. This statement is not meant to be negative in nature; quite the contrary. While every facet of the healthcare industry is facing changes and some level of uncertainty, change often creates opportunity for those who are prepared to seize it. I’m convinced that Four Seasons is positioned well to not only meet the challenges of a changing landscape, but to thrive in such an environment. The Leadership of Four Seasons (Senior Leadership Team and Board of Directors) has not been resting on its laurels and celebrating its past success. While 2009 was an amazing year for our organization, capped off by the receipt of the coveted Circle of Life Award, the leadership of Four Seasons has been busily at work looking for ways to reach more people in Western North Carolina with quality end of life care and to continue building the infrastructure to carry our organization well into the future.

Recently, in a meeting of the Board’s Executive Committee staff outlined various initiatives that are currently being pursued. Each was categorized by its role in helping Four Seasons achieve its goals and prioritized based on the positive impact it will have on the organization. These initiatives included expanding the depth and breadth of existing services along with filling in gaps that will provide an even greater experience for our patients and their families. While it would not be prudent to outline these opportunities in great detail at this time, it is safe to say there is a tremendous amount of strategic planning being done by the Four Seasons team.

As we continue to move forward with these strategic initiatives we will again reach out to the Four Seasons Community to make you aware of the role that you can play in helping our organization accomplish even greater success in the future.

As always, we thank you for your continued support of Four Seasons. Stay tuned!

Written by Greg Burnette, Four Seasons Board Chair

Green Disposal of Medications Step-by-Step

Items you will need
• Kitty litter, flour, or coffee grounds
• Rubbing alcohol or water
• Sealable plastic bag or empty margarine or whipped cream-type container
• Plastic grocery bag
• Small hammer (optional)
• Duct tape (optional)
• Paper towel (optional)

Step-by-step
1. Take pills out of original containers, placing in paper towel and folding.
2. Gently crush pills with hammer. This step is optional, as the pills will eventually dissolve into the mixture,     but crushing pills quickens the process.
3. Add remains of crushed pills, capsules, and any other medications, like liquids, to plastic bag or container.
4. Add enough alcohol or water to cover medications.
5. Add kitty litter, flour, or coffee grounds. Helps conceal and makes meds unappealing to anyone that might be tempted to abuse them.
6. Seal and gently tilt side to side to mix.
7. If using a container with a lid secure with duct tape.
8. Place container and paper towel in plastic grocery bag and place in trash. This will help conceal medications and keep them out of the groundwater longer.
9. Remove labels from empty medicine containers or use black marker to cover any personal information before discarding in trash. Protects your privacy.

Special considerations

• Liquids, IV medications, and suppositories only need to be mixed with kitty litter or coffee grounds.
• Transdermal Patches: Using disposable gloves when available, remove patches from the packaging. Cut the patch in half carefully, handling it by the edges. Wash hands thoroughly if medicine comes in contact with skin. Place in a plastic container. Add kitty litter or flour to the container.
• Medicated Ointments and Creams: Mix kitty litter or flour into the original container. If this is not feasible, squeeze or scoop medication into a plastic container and mix in the kitty litter or flour.
• Various medications can be mixed together in one bag or container.

The FDA currently recommends flushing certain medications, mostly strong pain medications. Click below to go to the FDA web site to see the medications listed.

FDA Website