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SEPTEMBER 2020

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Notes From Friends

Hospice of the Valleys serves hundreds of patients each and every year. We honor them by sharing their stores. They remind us every day of the meaning and purpose in our work and that human connection is at the heart of the hospice experience

The following are notes Hospice of the Valleys has received from the families of patients that we have been privileged to provide hospice care.

"Your organization and all your staff made the last few months of my husband's life much easier for him and all our family. There are no words that can convey my heartfelt thanks for all you do."

Man's Best Friend Joins the Battle Against Covid-19

By: Dr. Leslee B. Cochrane
Executive Medical Director

Dr. Leslee Cochrane - Hospice of the Valleys

On January 20th 2020, the US experienced our first confirmed case of the Covid-19 virus and now more than 7 months later we are all still dealing with the effects of the virus including social isolation. According to to an article published in the CDC Weekly on August 14th, during late June of 2020 nearly 40% of those surveyed reported struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues. The CDC conducts ongoing surveys and according to their studies they found the 25.5% of the respondents surveyed in June of 2020 reported experiencing anxiety compared to only 8.1% reporting anxiety symptoms in the same period of 2019. They also found reports of depressive symptoms were nearly four times higher in June of 2020 at 24.3% compared to only 6.5% respondents reporting depression in 2019. I doubt that these statistics come as a surprise to anyone as we can all identify with how the pandemic has impacted our lives and limited our social interactions from visiting with friends to attending school and church.

But what to do about the negative effects of social isolation when we are still being asked to socially distance and limit our interactions with others? Well, one very effective intervention to help alleviate the stress associated with social isolation is pet therapy.  The CDC has published an article titled "If You Have Pets" on their website at https://wwww.cdc.gove/cornavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/pets.html . In this article they provide reassurance that although a small number of pets worldwide including cats and dogs have been reported to test positive for Covid-19 after close contact with people who were infected with the virus; based on the current information available, the risk of animals spreading Covid-19 to people is considered to be low.

Numerous scientific studies dating back to the 1980's have shown that interacting with dogs and other pets offer significant health benefits to people. One study done with college students at the University of Washington showed that students who were able to pet a dog for as little as 10 minutes showed a significant decrease in the levels of serum cortisol, a well-recognized stress hormone released by the adrenal glands. Various pets including dogs and cats have been used extensively therapy animals to help patients of all ages who experience stress related to isolation on hospital wards and in nursing homes. I once visited a memory care facility and to my amazement found the residents interacting with a miniature therapy pony and the residents loved it! If you have a pet and know someone who is experience social isolated, perhaps you could put Sparky the support dog on a 6-foot leash and offer to provide some pet therapy while maintaining good social distancing. For all the cat lovers out there I just want to point out that the main difference between dogs and cats, humans think dogs make great pets and cats seem to think that humans make great pets... well, kind of.

Caring for Loved Ones In Long-Term
Care Facilities During COVID

By: Dr. Lynn Euzenas
Director of Spiritual Care & Bereavement Services

Dr. Lynn Euzenas - Hospice of the ValleysFor me, one of the most heart wrenching aspects of how the COVID pandemic had changed the face of our world is the poignant living sadness of family and friends who cannot visit face-to-face with their loved ones in Long-Term Care Facilities. The reality of having to protect residents, families, and staff from possible infection with the virus through restriction on visitations seems t once prudent and harsh. Many of our facilities are trying their best at supporting families with frequent updates on their loved one and the COVID status of the facility, but the isolation that residents and family members feel tugs at our heart strings.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have come out with a set of helpful suggestions on how to support and connect with loved ones who are facility residents and who cannot have in person, face-to-face visits at this time. Hopefully sharing these tips will help you to help another ease some of the burdens of separation which are felt, or perhaps, they will help you as you deal with the isolation of these restrictions:

  1. Use technology: Increase the use of video-chats, email, text messages, and phone calls. Many facilities are teaching residents who are able to use Skype or Face Time and will help in sharing these messages to the residents.
  2. Cards and Letters: Increase the "snail mail": cards and letters with words of support and family updates are crucial right now. Many care facilities are assisting residents with writing of letters and replies.
  3. Visuals to Express Caring: If the facility has a space outside the window of the resident, seek permission to place ribbons around trees, plant flowers, or leave posters and banners for the resident. Hold a parade of cars or persons for the resident.
  4. Care packages: These could include photos, cards, drawings, snacks, puzzles, books, magazines, or DVD's. Check with the facility for their policy on drop offs without having to enter the building.
  5. Recorded Video Messages: If live video-chats are not possible, record email or text message "voices" so you can be heard by your loved one over a smart phone.
  6. Dedications: Some facilities have begun the practice of playing favorite songs or stores of the residents over their in-house cable channel or intercom system. Check with your facility and if they do not do this, make a suggestion! A song can be dedicated to your loved one, as well as a favorite poem, movie, or television show.

"Many are using Amazon more heavily during this time to do their shopping."

Please consider choosing Hospice of the Valleys as your charity of choice.

Amazon Smile. You shop. Amazon Gives.

If you love to shop Amazon, consider using
Amazonsmile.org
and designating Hospice of the Valleys as your charity of choice. Amazonsmile offers all that Amazon does, and Hospice of the Valleys will benefit at no cost to you!

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