|
 |
|
A Word From
Our President
As we ease into summer, we also want to check in and make sure that you're all taking a moment to breathe, relax, and focus on your own wellbeing. For those of you who are caregivers, we are particularly talking to you - don't forget to care for yourself! Your health and happiness are key factors in your loved one's recovery or general wellbeing. We asked one of our favorite authors, and local supporter, Jane Heller to share her top 5 tips as a loving caregiver for her husband. She knows first-hand how trying and exhausting yet rewarding caring for a loved one can be. Check out her article for some wise and witty words of advice.
We are pleased to share that one of our staff members and two of our volunteers were recognized and awarded at a local Celebration Tea for Older Americans Month. Also, we are proud to announce that our annual Mother's Day luncheon raised over $255,000; read on to learn all about this successful event.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read about what's new at VNHC, and we hope your summer is off to a great start!
- Lynda Tanner
President & CEO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bereavement Support Group
June 6, June 13, & June 27
3:30pm - 5:00pm
VNHC Solvang
436 First Street, Suite 101, Solvang
Pre-registration is required, please call (805) 693-5555, x. 427
Loss of a Loved One Grief Support Group
June 14 & June 28
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Please contact Dairine Pearson, MSW for more information (805) 690-6201
|
|
For more information about our services, including:
Care Management, Hospice Care, Nursing & Rehabilitation, Palliative Care, Personal Care, Respite Care, and Serenity House,
|
|
|
Five Caregiving Tips to Keeping You in Good Health & Good Spirits
by Jane Heller
I was raised by a mother who nursed two sick husbands (my father died of brain cancer, my stepfather of complications from epilepsy), and as a result I was determined to marry for health - to avoid being what I considered that most dreaded of all things: a caregiver. But we love whom we love, and I fell in love with Michael, a man with severe Crohn's disease. Over the course of our 20-year marriage, I had on-the-job training in caregiving - from how to navigate the medical maze to how to take care of myself even when Michael was in the hospital as often as most people go to Starbucks.
Whether you're caring for a spouse, a child, or an aging parent, the emotional and physical demands are many and it's perfectly normal to say, "How in the world am I supposed to cope?" Here are my top five tips for staying healthy and sane while being the best patient advocate you can be:
Tip #1: Laugh
Yes, I know its not funny to see your loved one in pain, nor is it remotely amusing to watch a loved one slip deeper into illness. But there are moments of absurdity, of levity, of joy if we allow ourselves to be open to them. Black humor, gallows humor, wry humor - they all lower cortisol levels and help to relieve stress.
Tip #2: Cry
This may sound counterintuitive, given Tip #1, but therapists advise that crying can be very empowering. It can release tension, vent frustration, and express fear. Don't wallow in it and don't do it in front of your loved one. And above all, be conscious of why you're crying and know that you can feel sad without disintegrating.
Tip #3: Take a Mental Vacation
We all need to escape now and then, but when you're a caregiver it's especially difficult to get away for any length of time. Instead, take a mental break - a short-term distraction. Whether it's watching TV, cooking a favorite meal, listening to music, or going for a walk, it's essential to "zone out" for at least 20 minutes a day in order to recharge and refresh. You'll be better able to connect with your loved one.
Tip #4: Ask for Help
It's not a sign of weakness to say to a friend or family member, "I really need you to buy groceries, pick up my dry cleaning, or look in on Mom or Dad while I attend to my own doctor's appointment." Most people genuinely want to help but don't know how or what to say, so reach out and tell them. And if you need professional help, seek that out too.
Tip #5: Touch Your Loved One
I interviewed a nurse in the critical care unit at Cottage and she said, "Sometimes I see caregivers sitting in the visitor's chair reading or texting and I wish they'd get up and give the patient a neck massage or a back rub or just hold their hand." Don't forget to touch your loved one. It'll make you feel more attached to that person, and it'll make the patient feel truly cared about - which is the point, after all.
Jane Heller is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 13 novels of romantic comedy, 9 of them sold to Hollywood for film and television. Her latest book is nonfiction and titled You'd Better Not Die or I'll Kill You: A Caregiver's Survival Guide to Keeping You in Good Health and Good Spirits. Jane and her husband live in Santa Barbara, where she's at work on a new novel.
|
|
|
VNHC Staff & Volunteers Recognized at Older Americans Month Celebration Tea
On Wednesday, May 22, the Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens, Area Agency on Aging hosted the 29th Annual Older Americans Month Celebration Tea at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott. We are proud to share that one of our VNHC staff members and two of our wonderful volunteers received special recognition and awards at this celebration.
Nancy Gordon, LVN, won the award for Older Worker of the Year.
Ann Smithcors, one of our hospice volunteers, received the award for Volunteer of the Year.
Don Waters, a volunteer chaplain, received an acknowledgement as a nominee for Volunteer of the Year.
These three incredible individuals were nominated by different VNHC staff members because of their dedication, accountability, and passion for their work. We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to these exceptional three, and thank them for the wonderful work they do and care they provide to VNHC patients and families. Thank You!
(in the photo above, from left to right: Sam Geli - VNHC Chaplain, Ann Smithcors, Don Waters, Bea Molina - VNHC Associate Manager of Volunteer Services)
|
|
|
12th Annual Mother's Day Luncheon Raises Over $255,000
 In honor of Mother's Day, VNHC hosted the 12th Annual Mother's Day Luncheon on Friday, May 10 at the Coral Casino. This year, we were proud to honor mother and local philanthropist Barbara Ireland with her family, and we honored in memory LaVerne (Bebe) Browning, mother of past VNHC Board Member and past Chair of the Board, Charles Browning.
The sold out event was organized by Co-Chairs Jodi Fishman-Osti and Pamela Dillman Haskell and their wonderful event committee, and featured impressive Silent Auction and Live Auctions. Catherine Remak, served as the mistress of ceremonies and Andrew Firestone was the auctioneer of the event. Guests also heard from Toni Percival, who shared a heartfelt personal story about the hospice care that VNHC provided to her mother and family.
VNHC would like to recognize and thank the many wonderful supporters and sponsors of the event, including Premier Rose Sponsor Impulse Advanced Communications. This year's event raised over $255,000 which will directly benefit VNHC's mission to provide high quality, comprehensive home health, hospice, and related services necessary to promote health and wellbeing of all community residents, including those unable to pay. Thank you to all who attended, supported, coordinated, and sponsored this year's special luncheon!
(in the photo above, from left to right: Lynda Tanner - VNHC President & CEO, Honoree Barbara Ireland, & Chris Jones - Chair of the VNHC Board of Directors)
|
|
Submit Your Stories to VNHC
At VNHC, we know the end of life is a precious time, filled with emotional moments and memories with loved ones leaving our lives. Each story is special and we find it helpful and therapeutic to share these stories. If you have a special story that you're compelled to share, we hope you'll send it to us. We're creating a collection of stories on our website to share the wonderful stories of our patients with loved ones, and with those who are interested in Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care. Please send your stories or quotes to [email protected] and stay tuned for the collection of thoughts and memories.
|
|
|
