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AUGUST 2017

In This Issue

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Save The Date Banner - Hospice of the Valleys
Donations needed - Hospice of the Valleys
Volunteers Spotlight - Hospice of the Valleys
Volunteer Training - Hospice of the Valley
Hospice of the Valleys - Reverse Raffle Drawing
Upcoming Events - Hospice of the Valleys

Strong in the Broken Places

By: Dr. Lynn Euzenas

Director of Spiritual Care & Bereavement Services

Dr. Lynn Euzenas

One of the most significant things which we do at Hospice of the Valleys is to provide grief support for our families who have lost loved ones. To be on the journey of grief is to become a member of the club which no one wants to join. As death visits all of us, so too will grief. At one time or another, we ourselves may be grieving, or we may be supporting another in grief. Many would define grief as the sadness after a time of loss; while this is true, this definition is far too narrow.

First of all, death and grief are soul journeys. Grief is a spiritual journey, a journey from darkness back into the light. It is a journey that takes time, support and care... and then more time. Grief educator Alan Wolfelt reminds us that "love is at the center of grief." We do not grieve unless something we loved dearly has been taken from us. The journey of grief can be marked by crying out, introspection, silence, lamentation, and loneliness. Grief creates in us a yearning for the presence of love or of God again, and moves us into a time of paradoxically learning to let go while learning again to receive love or comfort. Each person must engage their grief: each one must walk through the pain of grief in order to realize the healing which comes along the way. I believe (and have witness) how the journey of grief will lead to a healing which one both needs and seeks.

Grief is both an inside job and an outward expression. Loss is simply losing something or someone. Grief is the normal process of reacting to a loss. Grief and grieving are the internal thoughts and feelings one carries within oneself about a loss. Loss happens TO you, and grief happens IN you. Mourning is what happens OUTSIDE of you: it is outward expression of grief. Wolfelt succinctly, and rightly, says that mourning is "grief gone public." It is that outward expression of grief, mourning, which ultimately helps one to integrate a loss back into life.

This is why grief work is an integral part of hospice work. It is a difficult journey to walk back into the light. When one can make this passage, that light illumines a different view, a new way of seeing and being, and reveals a place where one will eventually become, in Hemingway's profound words, "strong in the broken places."

If it feels good... do it!

The Health Benefits of Giving

Dr. Leslee B. Cochrane

Dr. Leslee Cochrane

You don't have to be a Neuro-scientist to know that it feels good to help others and there is now a growing body of scientific evidence which may help to explain why this is true. Researchers at the National Institute of Health conducted a study using functional MRI brain scans on people who were charitable donors.

The brain scans demonstrated increased activity in the mesolimbic area after people donated which is the area of the brain associated with feelings of reward and pleasure. The stimulation of the mesolimbic area is associated with the release of several brain chemicals including serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin. Serotonin is an important mood stabilizing chemical which prevents depression. Dopamine is a feel-good chemical associated with pleasure and oxytocin is the emotional-bonding chemical also released when mothers breast feed their babies. This complex chemical cascade is likely responsible for the positive emotional experience associated with giving.

There are also multiple studies which demonstrate mental and physical health benefits associated with helping others. Some of these benefits include lower blood pressure, decreased depression, improved happiness and a longer life expectancy. The functional MRI study mentioned above provides a probable explanation for the phsiological mechanism accounting for decreased depression and improved happiness. Another study published in the International Journal of Psychophysiology, demonstrated that people who helped others had lower blood pressures than a control group who did not. Researchers at the University of California, Berkley, found that people who were 55 and older who volunteered for two or more organizations were 44 percent less likely to die over a five year period than the control who did not volunteer.

While most studies demonstrate a consistent pattern of health benefits for those who spend time helping others, don't overdo it. Studies demonstrate that the ideal amount of time to volunteer is somewhere between 2-4 hours per week as those who volunteer more than 200 hours per year seem to experience fewer health benefits. This may be caused by not getting enough rest and exercise due to an excessive time commitment. Although helping others provides benefits for folks of all ages, older volunteers typically report a greater sense of purpose and satisfaction associated with volunteering than do younger individuals. Perhaps this is because life has taught them that it is truly more blessed to give than to receive.

Dr. Stephen Ryder - Hospice of the Valleys

Meet Dr. Stephen Ryder, one of our excellent Hospice physicians here with Hospice of the Valleys. In addition to serving our patients and families with compassionate and loving care, Dr. Ryder has one other talent.

After visiting family in the Temecula Valley and falling in love with the area and its views, Dr. Ryder and his wife Dr. Nikki Helm moved to wine country in 2012, buying a house with a 2 acre vineyard. It was then that they expanded their interest in wine to the winemaking process. Already a gardener, Dr. Helm partnered her skills as Dr. Ryder jumped into the world of farming. They practiced tending to the grapes and spend hours every week working every step of the viniculture process ultimately selling grapes to several Temecula wineries. That first year they reserved some grapes and made wine and have continued every year since.

Dr. Ryder mentioned how much fun he has tending the vines. "It's a Zen experience", he shared.

"I am grateful to work with the caring team at Hospice of the Valleys and for the physical work of tending the vineyard."

The Heart of Franklin

A huge thanks to Franklin Loan Center who chose Hospice of the Valleys for the month of June to be the recipient of their charitable program, "The Heart of Franklin."

Hospice of the Valleys was blessed to receive a generous donation which was comprised of a portion of their company's loan closings.

Thank you Franklin Loan Center for your kindness and care of our community. We appreciate you!!

The Heart of Franklin - group photo
Nothing Bundt Cakes - Thank you Hospice of the Valleys
Once again, a huge thank you to Golden Crown Productions for supporting Hospice of the Valleys. We are so grateful to receive a portion of the proceeds from your summer concerts.
This summer's Colin Hay from Men at Work was so much fun, and we are thrilled to partner with you every year!!
Colin Hay, Men at Work - Hospice of the Valleys
Being Mortal - Free Film Screening and Discussion - Hospice of the Valleys
Volunteers in Action - Men at Work Concert - Hospice of the Valleys
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