PO Box 2584 35911 Kenai Spur Highway #9 Soldotna, AK 99669 Office: 907.262.0453 Fax: 907.262.4961 hospiceofcentralpeninsula.com Like us on Facebook Volume 12 Issue 4 As we near the end of this year I have taken time to reflect on the services and support that Hospice of the Central Peninsula has had. This past year we have seen many longtime volunteer board members move on to other areas of community service. We miss their insight, but know they still support our mission. We have also seen new members on our board of directors step up to volunteer and work for our organization. They have fresh energy for our many very important fundraisers and commu- nity outreach. In 2016 hospice did over 100 presentations. We presented at all the sen- ior centers, local schools, medical facilities, special interest groups, and business organizations. Each of these groups required different information and materials for future use. Our Five Wishes® program, which helps with making end of life choices, is always in great demand. Our bereavement programs were asked into schools, care facili- ties, businesses, and individual’s homes. We believe that education and understanding of all the varied services of our local hospice are an important part of our mission. When individuals, doctors, caregivers, and organizations call or walk through our doors we want to always be there to give them tools and support. The many questions we receive daily are varied. Sometimes we are a contact for other community resources that they may need. Some- times we can give handouts to them to look at and they contact us later. Other times we set up individual times to talk about grief, or to go out and visit with families. This year we have seen another increase in the need of our services especially for our youth. This age group deals with a lot of conflicting situations that bring on confusing emotions. The schools often reach out to us for materials and direction on how to walk youth through their grieving process. But the most important thing I see as I look back on this 2016 year of service, is people caring about people. I see a community that values the individual and his or her right to be treated with respect and dignity at all times, even at the end of life. I have seen busy board members taking time to fundraise in a year where employment has dropped and state spending has slowed down. I have seen volunteers helping us in the office so we can have more time to help others. I have seen physicians come together to talk about palliative care and hospice so they can better provide services to those in need. 2016 has been a year of growth and change for our organization. We did not do it alone. I am grateful for volunteers who step up, for doctors who put value in our services, and for business who support us with money to replace the funds that have been depleted. I look forward to 2017 and what it holds for our organization. Thank you to all who have been here through this past year. Gale Robison, Executive Director Reean Pis President Tony Oliver Vice-President Rhonda McCormick Treasurer Kathy Rickman Secretary Ruthann Truesdell Tom Boedeker Traci Hansen Randy Milliron Wendi Dutcher Hospice of the Central Peninsula Board of Directors Execuve Director Gale Robison Bereavement Coordinator Lee Coray-Ludden Administrave Assistant Janice Nighngale
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PO Box 2584 35911 Kenai Spur Highway #9
Soldotna, AK 99669 Office: 907.262.0453
Fax: 907.262.4961 hospiceofcentralpeninsula.com
Like us on Facebook Volume 12 Issue 4
As we near the end of this year I have taken time to reflect on the services
and support that Hospice of the Central Peninsula has had. This past
year we have seen many longtime volunteer board members move on to
other areas of community service. We miss their insight, but know they
still support our mission. We have also seen new members on our board
of directors step up to volunteer and work for our organization. They
have fresh energy for our many very important fundraisers and commu-
nity outreach.
In 2016 hospice did over 100 presentations. We presented at all the sen-
ior centers, local schools, medical facilities, special interest groups, and
business organizations. Each of these groups
required different information and materials
for future use. Our Five Wishes® program,
which helps with making end of life choices, is
always in great demand. Our bereavement
programs were asked into schools, care facili-
ties, businesses, and individual’s homes. We
believe that education and understanding of
all the varied services of our local hospice are
an important part of our mission.
When individuals, doctors, caregivers, and organizations call or walk
through our doors we want to always be there to give them tools and
support. The many questions we receive daily are varied. Sometimes we
are a contact for other community resources that they may need. Some-
times we can give handouts to them to look at and they contact us later.
Other times we set up individual times to talk about grief, or to go out
and visit with families. This year we have seen another increase in the
need of our services especially for our youth. This age group deals with a
lot of conflicting situations that bring on confusing emotions. The
schools often reach out to us for materials and direction on how to walk
youth through their grieving process.
But the most important thing I see as I look back on this 2016 year of
service, is people caring about people. I see a community that values the
individual and his or her right to be treated with respect and dignity at all
times, even at the end of life. I have seen busy board members taking
time to fundraise in a year where employment has dropped and state
spending has slowed down. I have seen volunteers helping us in the
office so we can have more time to help others. I have seen physicians
come together to talk about palliative care and hospice so they can better
provide services to those in need. 2016 has been a year of growth and
change for our organization. We did not do it alone. I am grateful for
volunteers who step up, for doctors who put value in our services, and for
business who support us with money to replace the funds that have been
depleted.
I look forward to 2017 and what it holds for our organization. Thank you
to all who have been here through this past year.
Gale Robison, Executive Director
Reean Pitts President
Tony Oliver Vice-President
Rhonda McCormick Treasurer
Kathy Rickman Secretary
Ruthann Truesdell
Tom Boedeker
Traci Hansen
Randy Milliron
Wendi Dutcher
Hospice of the Central Peninsula
Board of Directors
Executive Director
Gale Robison
Bereavement Coordinator
Lee Coray-Ludden
Administrative Assistant
Janice Nightingale
Volunteer Training
October, 2016
People come to Hospice Volunteer Training for a variety of reasons. Some to learn and
develop skills to enhance their current job; some because they are caregivers for family
members and want to know more of what is happening; some to become active volunteers for
Hospice of the Central Peninsula; some because they are curious. This fall we had a small,
but eager to participate group. In addition to the HCP staff, we had several excellent
speakers during our 22 hour training covering a variety of topics from ethics to children’s
grief, to information on what you can expect at the funeral home. We also covered the
Five Wishes® program for having in place end-of-life decisions when you are no longer able
to make them for yourself. If you have a heart for people, are compassionate, and able to free
up a few hours a week in your life, come talk to us about our next volunteer training, Fall of
2017. Remember dates on the calendar are closer than they appear.
Mark Your Calendar
for the 21st Annual Winter Wine Taste and Auction
That’s right! February 18, 2017 we will host this annual event. It will be held at Our Lady of
Perpetual Help Catholic Church Fireweed Fellowship Hall in Soldotna.
Tickets will go on sale to the public January 6, 2017
You will enjoy gourmet appetizers paired with specialty wines. You must
be at least 21 years of age to attend.
No outside alcohol will be permitted.
This is the major fund-raiser for Hospice.
Tickets are just $150.00 each or
$1200.00 for a table of eight.
If you would like tickets or to volunteer
to help please call the office at 262.0453.
Monica is one of our awesome
volunteers. She and her
managers set up displays at
the Soldotna and Kenai
Wash and Drys
encouraging patrons to donate
to Hospice during November.
Thank you Monica, your
managers, and all your
patrons. We appreciate you.
Grief During the Holidays
The holidays are a time of giving thanks, joy and laughter, sparkle and glitter, sharing
and gift giving. For people who are grieving, the holidays often bring a mixture of emo-
tions and feelings, being overwhelmed by multiple demands and the difficulty of coping
with the loss of loved ones.
The holidays are a tough time to grieve. Knowing that does not make them any easier,
but it may help to understand and accept our reactions and find things to do to help
ourselves. This is a time of year for reflection about the past year and hope for what
the future can bring. During this time, it is important to look at who you are and your
needs.
Grief is about loss and healing. The goal of grieving is to find the will to do what is best
for you. It is important to communicate with others during this time of year, sharing your
feelings, needs and limitations with others.
It is important to develop a plan for dealing with the holidays. Having a “plan” can help
you gain control. It is okay to change traditions or create new ones. There is comfort in
doing things the same way, but it can also be very painful without your loved one. It is
important to do only what feels right to you and your family.
Remember to ask for help when you need it. Accept offers of assistance from friends
and family. They are searching for a way to make this time easier for you and allowing
them to help is your gift in return.
If you have children, remember their special needs during this time. Keeping a routine
is important. Involve them in any changes and provide extra reassurance. They may
express feelings and emotions through behavior, often times reverting to old behav-
iors. Offer them a chance to express themselves and to talk about their deceased
loved one.
It may be important to remember that the anticipation of any holiday can be
much worse than the actual event. If by chance you find yourself enjoying the
holidays, do not feel guilty. Having a good time does not mean you have forgot-
ten your loved. You cannot change the past, but you can take care of the present
to help you heal for the future.
Reprinted with permission from Hospice of the Red River Valley http://www.hrrv.org/grief/grief-during-the-holidays/
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In November Hospice of the Central Peninsula celebrated 30 years of service with good fun, good
food, and good friends who are like family. Our brand new logo was presented to the public.
Bereavement Corner….
Bereavement is an old fashioned word, yet it speaks to an important part of what hospice is. For many people when they
think of hospice they think of a person dying and a hospice person being there to hold their hand and to support the
dying and the family. That is definitely what hospice is, but we are more.
Bereavement covers both grief (the inward expression) and mourning (the outward expression). Grief begins before the
death for both the person dying and the family and friends that support them. Grief continues after the passing, and
should there be one, after the funeral and burial. We follow the national standards and provide grief support services
for 13 months after a death. This support can be a combination of phone calls, one to one time in the office, sometimes
the home, and it can be mailings. Some referrals we receive are from physicians, community members, family members
or other agencies. Many are self-referrals, they just walk in.
In 2016 the bereavement contact count from Jan. to Nov. (11 months) was 488 contacts. It should be remembered that
some of the contact numbers are repeats. Bereavement may see the same person multiple times. The average is about
two to three times, while others may come just once.
One hundred eighty-eight (188) of those contacts were for outreach or presentations, two of these outreaches were to all
area schools. In April we outreach to the schools for Camp Mend-A-Heart. In September we outreach to all area schools
to provide grief support to school staff, this includes a cover letter and some of our brochures. I do this in person, it pro-
vides a more personal touch, and allows school staff to meet hospice staff.
Some of the other areas we have outreached to included; Soldotna High School, Kenaitze Indian Tribe, Soldotna Cham-
ber, Day of Remembrance with CPGH, and a community presentation at the Soldotna Library. Seventy-nine (79) of the
contacts were for long term bereavement mailings.
Bereavement is an individual experience. An important part of the coordinators job is to stay flexible, open and non-judgmental in the hopes of being available to support the individual that comes to hospice for bereavement services.