A $1,000 donation from the People’s Neighborhood Bank employees Deb Dissinger, Lori Moore and Randi Blank was presented to the Hospice of the Sacred Heart at the Open House in Montrose Thursday to CEO Diane Baldwin and Dr. Ralph DeMario.
BY STACI WILSON
One year ago Hospice of the Sacred Heart opened its doors inSusquehannaCountyand has since worked to fill the gap of services available in the area.
The organization commemorated its first-year at theMontroseCenterwith an Open House event, Thursday, Sept. 29, at itsLocust St., Montrose location. The event was catered by culinary students from the Susquehanna County Career andTechnologyCenter.
Hospice care is available to patients who have been given a prognosis of six months or less to live if the disease follows its natural course.
Care is provided in the patient’s home, long-term care and assisted living facilities. DeMario said Hospice of the Sacred Heart staffs 100 full-time employees, with over 60 nurses. The remaining staff is comprised of doctors, counselors, social workers and other service coordinators.
In addition to Susquehanna County, Wayne and Wyoming counties are also serviced through the Montrose Center.
As a whole, Hospice of the Sacred Heart works in a nine county region reaching fromSchuylkillto Susquehanna counties said Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ralph DeMario.
DeMario said the non-profit organization has been growing quickly in the area – mostly by word-of mouth.
But with the increase in patient numbers comes a need for more volunteers. Hospice of the Sacred Heart requires that five percent of patient care is provided by volunteers.
DeMario said, “Our goal is to double the number of volunteers.”
“We’re available 24/7, holidays, weekends,” DeMario said. “We never leave any patient aside or behind.”
In addition to end-of-life care for patients, the Hospice also focuses on family members.
Mary Louise Kidd, Bereavement Services, said, “So much of Hospice is supporting the family.”
“We help patients and family members cope with the end-of-life journey,” Kidd said.
And the bereavement service does not end with the death of a patient. Kidd said the staff follows the patient’s family for 13 months after their loss and offers support groups, memorial services and more.
She said a special Mother’s Day service is held at theMontroseCenter.
Hospice of the Sacred Heart also sponsors a six-week “Life Has Changed” grief education series several times each year. The program is offered in Montrose and inScranton, said Kidd.
A bereavement support group also meets at theMontroseCenteron the second Tuesday of each month,10:30-11:30 a.m.Upcoming group meetings are scheduled for Oct. 11; Nov. 8; and Dec. 13.
PATHsocial worker coordinator Mary Fabritius said she works to collaborate with available community resources to meet the needs of the clients.
Fabritius said most of the work is done through volunteer contacts who, for example, assist a patient with transportation to an appointment, run errands or can help with paperwork.
“”That allows Hospice of the Sacred Heart to never turn anyone away,” Fabritius said. “Someone may not need Hospice services but may need assistance navigating insurance or health care needs.PATHgoes anywhere Hospice of the Sacred Heart goes.”
For more information about Hospice of the Sacred Heart and available services, visit the website at www.hospicesacredheart.org or call 570-706-2400.
Be the first to comment on "Hospice of the Sacred Heart marks first year in county"