Wednesday, June 30, 2010

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

Monday, June 28, 2010

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

Saturday, June 26, 2010

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

Thursday, June 24, 2010

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

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

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

Sunday, June 20, 2010

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

Friday, June 18, 2010

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

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

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

Monday, June 14, 2010

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

Saturday, June 12, 2010

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

Thursday, June 10, 2010

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

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

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

Sunday, June 6, 2010

"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




Saturday, June 5, 2010

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

Friday, June 4, 2010

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

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

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