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Aurora House News

Jose Barroso lived alone before coming to AuroraHouse, as his only son, a marine, is stationedoverseas. Mr. Barroso lived a quiet life dealing witha terminal illness. Every so often, his caregiverwould check in on him to make sure that he hadeverything he needed. His caregiver would helpwith feeding, lifting him out of bed to take him tothe bathroom, and would do her best to clean himup daily. Everything changed when Mr. Barroso woke up inthe early morning hours to use the restroom andfell, injuring his knee. This injury would leave Mr.Barroso completely bed-ridden. This, along with hisdeteriorating health and need for around-the-clockcare, put Mr. Barroso in a difficult position. Mr. Barroso found a home at Aurora House and thestaff became his family. The staff at Aurora Houseacted as an extended family in offering palliativecare and emotional support. Our caregivers werethere to provide him with whatever he needed,someone to sit and read him a book, a hand tohold, or just someone to listen to his stories. AuroraHouse caregivers enjoyed the time they spent withhim as he talked about his younger days,remembering his family, young love and first dates. When Dr. Rafael Rodriguez opened the doors ofAurora House in 2007, he envisioned a place whereterminally ill individuals within the community whoneeded support could spend their final days incomfort. Since that day, Aurora House has been aplace of peace and filled a very special need in thecommunity for those individuals experiencing life-threatening illnesses. At the end of life, each story is different. Deathcomes suddenly, or lingers, with a person graduallyfading. Aurora House provides the compassionatecare and support needed to navigate the end of lifetransition. Our staff provides comforting assistanceto all Aurora House residents and this supportextends to all family members of residents duringthese difficult times.

Everyone Deserves Compassion

Fall 2019Newsletter Volume 12 Issue 3

OUR MISSON Aurora House recognizes dying as part of the normal

process of living and focuses on respect andcompassion in preparation for death. Our mission is to provide care for persons in the last phase of incurable

disease, so they can approach death with dignity,comfort and peace.

Age Range: 6 wks - 103yrs Average Length of Stay: 35 days

Since 2007, Aurora House has served 994 patients and theirfamilies. Aurora House serves 23 cities in the Rio Grande Valleywith quality, compassionate, end of life care and education.

2646 W. 18th Street P.O.Box 976 Weslaco, Texas 956.973.9690 www.AuroraHouse.org

Aurora House News

For many people, especially those who may be considering a career in healthcareprofessions, the sentiment " I want to make a difference" probably has a familiar ringto it. Internships often can provide vital first-hand experiences as they integrate classroomknowledge and theory with practical application and skills developed in professionalor community settings. Veronica Dominguez is a University of Texas Rio Grande Valleystudent working toward her undergraduate degree within the School ofRehabilitation Services & Counseling. She is at the mid point of a three-monthinternship at Aurora House. Veronica and her family first learned that her father, Santiago Zavala, Sr. was facing aterminal diagnosis in 2013 and looked for services to help them adjust to the life-changing news. Her family made the decision to care for her father at home and sharethe responsibilities as a family. While it’s a laborious task caring for a sick loved one athome, Veronica and her family didn’t know of any other option that would provide thesame quality of care for her father as they were able to provide at home. After 2 years and 5 months of care and effort, Veronica’s father eventually succumbedto his illness on October 1, 2015. As an intern at Aurora House, she learns more and more about the services providedto the community, and, looking back, she wishes she had known that Aurora Housewas an option while caring for her father.

“Aurora House immediately made me feel included- like I was part of the AuroraHouse family,” Veronica said about her time interning. “From their dedication to allpatients and families, to the work ethic of all the employees, it’s been a greatlearning experience.” Veronica says the opportunity to shadow staff from Aurora House, participating involunteer and family tours, spending time with residents and their families, and theimportance of hygiene care in palliative patients was eye-opening. By working alongside the Aurora House caregivers, Veronica was able to grasp thedelicate nature of preparing a family for the end of life of a loved one. “It was great to see how they worked together as a team to support patients andfamilies. They treat them like their own family. They are all amazing,” she said. For many students, interning provides experience not only within the world ofhospice but also offers introspection about the type of healthcare provider eachintern wants to be. Aurora House has made it a mission to provide an ideal learning environment whileallowing students to contribute to the quality care Aurora House is known for.


Making a Difference

Building CommunitySince 2010, 3,092 students have receivedtraining in Palliative Care, Hospice and Endof Life Issues at Aurora House. In ourefforts to bring awareness to the need forpalliative care we have established partnerships with South TexasCollege, University of Texas - Rio GrandeValley, South Texas ISD - Med High, TexasWomen's University, and Our Lady of theLake to bring together real patients at theend of life in clinical sessions with studentsenrolled in their health care programs.

Aurora House News

July - October 2019In Loving MemoryTed Ellis

Tom & Lynn CarterRobert & RhondaGarza

Raymond BoykinAlfred & VelmaDirks

Steven SaxtonFrancis Saxton

Americo De La Paz Jr.Americo De La Paz III

Pablo De LeonKaren Torres

Betty Lou JohnsonCraig & Marguerite Wiegand

Jeanne Wiegand

Mirta BarreraVeronica Barrera

Pauline WhitakerBenton & Melissa BeckwithRobert & Rhonda GarzaMr. & Mrs. Art Beckwith

Arthur RichDiane Cox

Charles GrahamLinda Graham

Fernando SaenzMaria DeliaRamirezNorma Martinez

Sherry Dianne KennedyLinda K. Leger

Joseph MartinezRachel Gil

Pragedis SamudioFelix & MariaHernandez

John LeggettSally Ross

Rolando PerezBelinda Saenz

Aurora E. PerezMelida Gonzalez

Ila "Sandy" ShanksterChris Yates

Felipe GarciaMr. Faustino Villanueva Jr.

Patricio BrionesRachel BrionesDavid F. & Maria IreneBriones

Horace (Hank) EdgleyJeannette Edgley

Lauro HernandezLorie Maczko

Josefina RochRichard &Fredricka Vaughan

Diana WombleScott & Doll Kimbro

Paul DonalsonMelissa & Benton BeckwithRichard & Fredricka VaughanMr. & Mrs. Art Beckwith

Isidoro HerreraManuel Herrera

Charles PlankEva Plank

Robert James "Bob" Rektorik Craig & MargueriteWiegandJames & Linda WilliamsDon & Becky McDanielMark & Janice WilliamRonald D. & Carmen HicksTom & Lynn Carter

James B. CarlsonBenton & Melissa BeckwithAtanacio & Gloria Hinojosa

Memorials & Honorariums

Friends and family members of a hospice patient remember aloved one in various ways: sometimes with flowers, a card, and

sometimes it is with a more lasting tribute in the form of amemorial gift.

Through memorial gift-giving you remember your loved one in a

very meaningful way and at the same time you help other hospicepatients in need.

To make a donation visit https://aurorahouse.org/donations/ or

use the envelope provided with the newsletter.

Memorial Gifts


In Honor ofJuan Silva

Maria C. Silva

Guadalupe MaldonadoDiana Vasquez

Celsa SalinasLinda Luna

Celsa SalinasLinda Luna

Pavers

In Kind

Pablo De LeonRodolfo De LeonKaren Torres

Iva PetzDavid Luna

Eddy E. BrionesOndina SanchezCabrera

John RyanJane Ryan

Fernando SaenzChristina Saenz

Pragedis SamudioMaria Hernandez

Linda CruzMary Gonzalez

In KindRobert Cantu

Fred CantuLilliana Salinas

Julia AlonzoFidencia De Toro

Guadalupe MaldonadoDora MaldonadoElva Maldonado

Celsa SalinasJaime Salinas Jr.

Juan SilvaFred SalinasMaria C. Silva

Nellie SmartJesse Holt Smart

Iva PetzDavid Luna

Aurora House NewsJuly - October 2019

Adeoye, Mutiat ADL Services A-W Produce Co. Bartle, Donald & E. Helen Beckwith, Benton & MelissaChristman, Dorothy Community Foundation Lyster FamilyFoundation Fund Damalas, Kathy & Eugene Depue, Patty Diamond, Jeanne Diedrich, Barb Dominguez, Veronica Dunlap, Betty Jo Eckles, Elizabeth Evans, Trainor Fears, Gary & Jeanne First Presbyterian Church Fonseca, Thomas Fuller, Rebecca Gallipeau, Robert & Lynn Galloway, Jacqueline Garza, Rhonda & RobertGay, GeneGonzalez, Diana Hernandez, Andrew Hufford, Eugene John Knox Village of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc. Johnston, Dallas & Mary Lou Kasella, Mary Kirkpatrick, Carol Klinek, Steven Kruse, Max Kuck, Inge Martinez, Norma McAllen, Jessica & Lowry McDonald, Debbie Mendel, Wendy Newcomer, Thomas and Sharon Olivarez, Rhut Our Lady of Guadalupe Cenacle Prayer Group Paradise, Betty & G. Richard Pariser, Judy Pilcher, Betty Reyna, DavidVanderbeck, Gloria Vaughan, Anthony (Ryan) & JodeFirst United Methodist Church of Weslaco

Memorials & Honorariums

Your gifts help us meet our patients' greatest needs. Since 2007, Aurora House hasprovided compassionate end-of-life care to patients and families, at no cost. In 2018,

Aurora House provided hospice services to 60 patients and families.

Our special 10 bed house currently has the funding to provide care for 5 patients at atime. Aurora House is working towards raising funds to re-open our 2nd wing and extendour service and loving care to all 10 beds. We are asking for support from our community.

We value each and every donation we receive, no matter how large or small. Together,

they form the necessary income to allow us to continue providing our exemplary levels ofcare to the entire Rio Grande Valley Community.

Your donation to Aurora House allows us to continue the rich legacy of compassionate

care for those facing the end of life and those learning to live with the loss of a loved one.

To make a donation visit https://aurorahouse.org/donations/ or use the envelopeprovided with the newsletter.

YOUR IMPACT


Ross, W. C. Rubago, Patricia Shidler, Tom and Sheila Steiner, David W Stence, Kelly Torres, Karen Turner, EdwardLong, Patricia Mache, Gloria E. Macking, Karen

Donations

In KindAirport Elementary Aleman, Lyssa Arrambide, Rosa Cantu, Araceli Cantu, Carmen Cantu, EduardoCantu, Lilliana Cardenas, Guadalupe Cardosa, Clemencia Chapa, Lupita De La Paz, L. DelaRosa, Lupita Diamond, Jeanne Dominguez, Veronica Ellis, Rose Marie

Contreras, Armando Contreras, Becky Elsa Civic Study Club Estebanos, Irene First Baptist Church Flores-Molina, Lorina Gonzalez, Mary Gonzalez, Reymundo Greater Valley HospiceGreen, Marge Guajardo, Melinda Jason's Deli John Knox Village ResidentsJohnston, Dallas & Mary LouKindred Hospice Knapp Medical Center Luna, David Magic Valley Electric CoopMaldonado, David Martinez, Cristina Martinez, Vangie McCaleb Funeral Home Mosier, RonNewcomer, Thomas and Sharon Nicho Produce Pedraza, Margarita Retama Manor Nursing Center

Rodriguez, Delyssa Weaver Ruiz, Martina Saenz, Hector Salazar, Maria Salinas, Maritza Schultz, Melissa Snow to Sun Park Southern Comfort R.V. Park St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church-ACTS Organization St. Pius X Catholic Church Staton, Jim E. Tanus The Family, Rocio Trevino, Debra Valdez, Raymie Valdez, Rosa Maria Vasquez, Diana Vitek, Betty Lou Weinblatt, Philip Weslaco Learning Academy Weslaco Lions Club

Aurora House News - Spotlight on Volunteering

80's Retro Glow Run Vol. 4 February 22, 2020We're back for Volume 4!! Location: Mayor Pablo Peña ParkCost: Proceeds to benefit House FoundationSponsorships Available! Contact Judy or Mari, 956- 973-9690 Come out and join us for the 80's Retro Glow Run Vol. 4 offering 5KRun/Walk, virtual run options, and a 1 mile Fun Run. Dress up in your 80'sbest, take advantage of some great photo opportunities, enjoy all thegreat music, and most importantly have a great run!

Students from Weslaco Airport DriveElementary hosted a wonderful donationdrive in honor of Aurora House! Theirgenerosity makes a huge difference in thelives of the residents in our care and theirfamilies.

65: # of Volunteers 628: # of Volunteer Hours

Volunteers touch the lives of patients and their families every day.The simple act of sitting with a patient or making a trip to thegrocery store can brighten the day of those we serve.

July - October 2019


Administrative Professional's Day LuncheonApril 21, 2020Celebrate with us!

Location: Knapp Medical Center, 1401 E 8th St, Weslaco, TX 78596Cost: $50 per person, proceeds benefit Aurora House Foundation

Sponsorships Available! Contact Judy or Mari, 956- 973-9690

E.ach year, Aurora House is honored to host the Annual Administrative Professional’s DayLuncheon. Show your administrative staff how much they mean to you and your business

by treating them to a delicious lunch and enterainment.

Staff from Doctors Hospitalof Renaissance Health Hospice

stopped by with a gift of appreciation for our staff.

Students from Weslaco High SchoolNational Honor Society, like CarolinaReyes, volunteer regularly and providemuch need support to our staff.

Upcoming Events

Aurora House News

Yoli SalinasMitty Reyna

Dr. Rafael RodriguezErin Soliz

Rhonda GarzaMelanie Riley

Stephen CharltonRosemary C. de Leon

July - October 2019

Executive Director

Judy Pariser, RN

Administrative Assistant/

Volunteer Coordinator

Diana Gonzalez

Community Relations/

Development Manager

Marisela Gonzalez

Araceli CantuCaregiver Supervisor

Becky ContrerasHouse and Grounds Supervisor

Alma GarzaMary Ramos

Linda SanchezKassy Ramos

Jolynn RosalesCaregivers

Aurora House Foundation2019 Board of Directors

President

Mark McCaleb

On behalf of the Aurora House Foundation Board of Directors, staff, andvolunteers we would like to extend a heart-felt THANK YOU to the ValleyBaptist Legacy Foundation for their generous contribution to our efforts.Together we are making a difference in the lives of individuals who are inmost need within our community.


Thank you!

Treasurer

Trainor Evans

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