SUMMER 2014 I n a u g u r a l I s s u e

U P C O M I N G E V E N T S : July 11-13 St. John Medical Center Festival of the Arts Friday-Sunday, July 11th -13th Hospice Ambassador Volunteers are needed for 2-3 hour time slots. Greatest need is July 11th, 6-9PM

September 10 & 18 New Volunteer Orientations Choose from: Sept 10, 6-9PM or Sept 18, 12:30-3:30PM UH Westlake Health Center October 21-30 Direct Care Volunteer Training Tuesdays-Thursdays, Oct 21, 23, 28 & 30 6:00-9:00PM UH Westlake Health Center

From Our Director….

One of the most important aspects of our UH Hospice has been developing our Volunteer Program.

As leadership, we of course knew that we had to have a volunteer program as part of the requirements for hospice. But we didn’t want a program just to fulfill our conditions of participation as a Medicare provider; we wanted a program that encompasses end of life care that is uniquely associated with UH. We wanted a program that could respond to the needs of our hospice patients who live at home, or in a nursing facility, or who are taking their last breaths in the hospital setting. We wanted a program that was fluid, adaptable and available to our hospice patients in need. We wanted the foundation set for our hospice with strong individuals who give freely of their time and resources to be sure that our UH Hospice patients have the best experience possible, no matter how much time is left. I am pleased to report that our volunteer program has met and exceeded our dreams and expectations.

During National Volunteer Week in April, we recognized our foundational volunteers who have helped to create successes for our program, not even a year old. In this short time of operating, we have recruited and trained some 40 volunteers and provided almost 400 hours of training. Our 18 direct care volunteers have provided over 140 hours of direct service. Additionally, we have provided 150+ office hours and special project hours. These services might otherwise have been provided by paid staff. When you apply the national valuation of these hours, we have experienced over $5,000 in savings to our program. We have surpassed the Medicare requirement of service hours. And I think that is pretty remarkable! Again, on behalf of myself, and all those who are part of UH Hospice, I thank you for your commitment and service, and for laying the foundation for our great volunteer program.

- Roberta Laurie, Director of UH Hospice

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Patricia Brodie, MS, MFT Volunteer Services Coordinator, Hospice University Hospitals Home Care Services 4510 Richmond Road Warrensville Heights, Ohio 44128 T 216-765-2737 F 216-201-5089 Patricia.Brodie@UHHospitals.org

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SUMMER 2014 I n a u g u r a l I s s u e

Staying Engaged

Our First Volunteer Appreciation Gathering Brings Together Staff and Volunteers Thank you to all of the volunteers and staff from UH Home Care and Hospice who gathered with us on April 14th for our Evening of Appreciation for Volunteers. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to get to know each other over a meal and good conversation and to celebrate the special volunteers who were willing to lend their enthusiasm and gifts to this new venture at UH.

Volunteers Nikhil Sharma, → Jean Terry, Joyce Puryear. Lena Willner, Eleanore Neubert and

Romina Alesci, smile for camera along with Lynna Metrisin and

Roberta.Laurie

Social Worker Lynna Metrisin and Administrative Volunteer Diane Lombardy share the joy as Elena Brown shares about her experience as a companion visitor.

Summertime Perks for Volunteers Take the Cleveland Indians Volunteer Challenge Just four hours of volunteering can earn you two tickets to an Indians game. Dates available include Kids Fun Days and Fireworks Nights. Record your service hours to UH Hospice at http://www.bvuvolunteers.org/volunteer/ Cedar Point Discount Tickets UH Hospice Staff and Volunteers were emailed coupons for discount tickets for Cedar Point for select weeks this summer. Each coupon allows for 4 tickets at $32 – an $18 dollar savings per person. Email Patricia.Brodie@UHHospitals.org if you did not receive your coupons.

←Wanda Rhynes, Administrative Services and Patient Care Volunteer receives heartfelt thanks and a yellow rose from UH Hospice Director Roberta Laurie and Volunteer Coordinator Patsy Brodie.

NAME OUR NEWSLETTER SURVEY

You may have noticed that this first edition of our UH Hospice Volunteer Newsletter has a rather boring title. That’s intentional. The Volunteer Services newsletter is meant to share news, upcoming events, and articles of interest to UH Hospice volunteers; to build a sense of community among our volunteer corps; and to create a link between all members our hospice team whether paid or volunteer. It can allow us to tell our stories and encourage one another. Because this newsletter belongs to all of us we ask for your help selecting a title that reflects the purpose. Vote for your favorite title online at www.UHhospitals.org/HospiceSurvey1 or by emailing Patricia.Brodie@UHHospitals.org. Here are the choices:

1. Volunteer Vision

2. Volunteer Voice

3. Volunteer Viewpoint

4. Volunteer Vantage

Be sure to look for the new title in our next issue of the newsletter.

REMINDER TO REPORT YOUR HOURS Every instance of service is valuable and hospice regulations require us to account for all you do for UH Hospice. VicNet, your online volunteer information center, makes reporting time easy and convenient. The VicNet link is available on the Volunteer section of the UH Hospice webpage at www.UHhospitals.org/HospiceVolunteer. Look for the box “Volunteers Log In”. An online tutorial for using VicNet is available at www.UHhospitals.org/VicnetHelp. Be sure to bookmark VicNet for quick access.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED July 11-13, Hospice Ambassadors

for St. John Medical Center Festival of the Arts; serve one 3 hours shift

Sewers to make hospital gowns

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SUMMER 2014 I n a u g u r a l I s s u e

Our first service and social brought out the creativity of UH Home Care staff and volunteers including Kathryn Oakleaf, Wanda Rhynes and Dot Anderson.

Building Community through Service & Fun Our cold winter, which now seems a distant memory, was no match for the warmth of volunteers who participated in our first service and social on January 24th. Susan Stebal brought the fleece; Kathryn Oakleaf shared her card-making supplies and eleven volunteers, Home Care and Hospice staff joined with volunteers for creative fun and good conversation as we made Valentine Cards and fleece lap blankets for our patients. Once the work was done we shared a simple, but tasty supper of soup and salad. The best gumbo you’ll ever eat was made by one of our own volunteers, Debra Mouton. Best of all this evening brought us together and showed us how the small things can make the day for our hospice patients as evidenced through this report from one of our volunteer visitors.

“Tell everyone that she really loved the gift, and it was such a coincidence that it was purple and white, the same colors [as] her robe and pajamas … it went with it perfectly. She was very happy.” – Elena Brown, Volunteer More information about Debra’s delicious gumbo, including how to order for your next party, can be found at www.justgumbo.net.

UH Case Auxiliary Grant Kick Starts Hospice Veterans Outreach We are pleased and grateful to announce that we have been awarded a grant of $350.00 from the Auxiliary of UH Case Medical Center to assist us in offering Veteran Pinning Ceremonies for UH Hospice patients. The funds will allow us to purchase lapel pins and small flags needed to conduct a simple ceremony honoring individual veterans in our care. UH Hospice, along with UH Seidman Cancer Center & UH Case Medical Center, hope to ensure that veterans being treated by UH receive the recognition and support befitting of their service to our country. We plan to offer veteran pins to our UH Home Care Services clients as well. If you are a veteran and are interested in planning and implementing this special program, or if you know a veteran or active military member who would want to become a V3 (Veteran Visiting Veterans) volunteer, please contact Patsy Brodie at 216-765-2737 or email Patricia.Brodie@UHHospitals.org.

Continuing Education for Volunteers

SERVING IN THE HOSPITAL SETTING UH Hospice volunteers are often called upon to provide vigil presence to patients and emotional support to family members at UH Case Medical Center (our main campus). When doing so volunteers want to feel confident in navigating in the hospital environment and in interacting with the staff there to best meet the needs of UH Hospice patients and families. On June 12th and 20th two groups of volunteers participated in our first continuing education session for volunteers. Along with Volunteers Services Coordinator, Patsy Brodie, we were taken on a tour of UH Case Medical Center by Marge Galla, Coordinator of Volunteer Services for UH Seidman Cancer Center. In addition to touring Seidman and Lerner Tower floors, we learned helpful tips such as where to get a blanket, places family members can go for a break, fresh air or how to help them find a bite to eat. We also walked through the process of how to obtain your free parking pass when volunteering. One of the most helpful tips we learned was the importance of checking in with the unit secretary on your patient’s floor when you arrive for your assignment. There you can verify the room for your patient as well as identify a resource person to assist you with any questions or concerns during your service. Free parking is also something every volunteer should be aware of when serving at UH Case Medical Center Campus. Present your Hospice ID Badge and sign in at Lerner Tower 2 OR Rainbow Babies and Children information desk to get a free parking pass. Tower 2 desk closes at 8PM, but Rainbow is open all night.

THANK YOU JO-ANN FABRIC In May, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft employees hand-crafted over 200 greeting cards during their annual Spring into Service Days. The cards lend a special, personal touch when we are reaching out to those in our care.

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