Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Four Seasons Offers Free ‘Grief through the Holidays’ Workshops


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).



Friday, October 28, 2011

FOUR SEASONS RECOGNIZED AS NATIONAL LEADER IN CLINICAL TRAINING



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.



Thursday, October 20, 2011

Tree of Lights-SAVE THE DATE!

  • Friday December 2nd. at the Historic Henderson County Courthouse
  • 5:00 p.m. refreshments, 6:00p.m. tree lighting 
Order Lights & Luminaries at:
for more information email: dgroves@fourseasonscfl.org

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

HOSPICE HOME STORE SALE- Everything 50% off!

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!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

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

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.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

NATIONAL HOSPICE LEADER SHARES PERSPECTIVE WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS


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).

Friday, September 16, 2011

FOUR SEASONS TOP HOSPICE PROVIDER IN STATE

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.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

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

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.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Four Seasons to Offer “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, 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.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

CAM Benefit

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.



Monday, August 22, 2011

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

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.



Tuesday, August 16, 2011

FOUR SEASONS OFFERS WELLNESS CANCER SUPPORT GROUP


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.





Thursday, August 4, 2011

2011 Golf Tournament

Cummings Cove Golf & Country Club


Thank you to our tournament major sponsor:








Thank you to all our volunteers, sponsors and players

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Four Seasons Offers Grief Support Groups

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.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Hospice & Palliative Care- Golf Benefit

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:

Thursday, June 23, 2011

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

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-

Monday, June 20, 2011

Volunteer Orientation & Training Schedule

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

The Hospice Book Store will be holding a one day book sale at our Biltmore Square Mall store.
  • Saturday June 25th 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!

Monday, June 13, 2011

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


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.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Like people? What to help your community?


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.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Four Seasons to offer volunteer training classes

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.