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Newsletter Summer 2000
by Toni Boelsen

TABLE of CONTENTS

A Message from the Executive Director

Dear Friend of Hospice:

One quarter of our Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester patients live alone or with a frail caregiver. Most of our patients prefer to be at home with their loved ones.

Unfortunately, the Medicare Hospice Benefits and most health insurance companies will only cover up to four hours of home health aide services each day in addition to visits from nurses, social workers, spiritual coordinators and volunteers. The balance of the day rests with the patient's family.

Through the generosity of The Anna and Louse H. Shereff Caregiver Program, Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester patients who lack other resources are able to receive additional caregiver help and remain at home.

Anna Shereff established The Anna and Louis H. Shereff Caregiver Program fund in 1995. The Caregiver Program provides financial assistance to Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester patients who live alone, have no family or friend to care for them and lack resources for a substitute caregiver.

In the last two years, $213,000 was spent in caregiver grants to 42 patients. These grants supplemented hospice home aides' hours. For some patients, this included around the clock live-in assistance.

Remarkably, with the generous assistance of the Anna and Louis Shereff Caregiver Program, 83% of these patients living alone were able to stay in their familiar surroundings and die with loved ones surrounding them.

Patients and families who are receiving services from Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester may apply for a grant for additional caregiver help. Eligibility is determine don the basis of care and financial need. If you are interested in more information, contact Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester at (914) 682-1484.

Thank you, Anna Shereff, for your kind and generous endowment.


George Batten
Executive Director, Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester


  
 

Hospice Serves 100 year Old Patient

Mary Somma of White Plains celebrated her 100th birthday with friends, family and Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester staff. Shown here with Mrs. Somma are, from left, her daughter, Marilyn Seymour, Edith Seal, Hospice home health aide; social worker Kathleen Johns, and nurse Linda Fraser.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Board Members Appointed

Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester held its annual meeting on June 14th. Richard H. McCarthy of Larchmont was reappointed to another three-year term on the Board of Directors. Six new members were elected.

Appointed to three year terms were:

  • Margaret Fox Trahar, RN of Rye, an eldercare consultant
  • Charles S. McAllister of White Plains, Senior Vice President at Eifert, French and Ketchum
  • Kathy McArdle, of Rye, Administrator of the Skilled Nursing Pavilion at New York United Hospital Medical Center
  • Jane Pollock of White Plains, Chief Operating Officer of Famiily Service of Westchester
  • Mary Spengler of Hartsdale, Vice President, White Plains Hospital Center
  • Barbara Vrooman of White Plains, a real estate agent at Nelson-Vrooman Associates Realtors.

Retiring from the Board are:

  • James E. Burris, MD
  • Dante Gismondi, MD
  • Jacquelyn Pirri
  • Charles Englert
  • Peggy Pierce
  • Nancy Stone.

 

 

Pictured (from left to right) are Margaret Fox Trahar, Charles McAllister and Jane Pollock.

 

 

 

 

New Board Officers
(From left to right)

Richard McCarthy, Chairman
Nancy Rees, Vice Chairman
Gaierose Haskel, Secretary
John Sciurba, Treasurer
 

                                          

  

 

A Real Rainbow Dinner

Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester (HOW) hosted its second annual "Rainbow Dinner" in May at the Scarsdale Golf Club in Hartsdale. Approximately 150 people attended the dinner where an actual rainbow appeared before dessert!

With the evening's honoree, Anna L. Shereff, are from left:

Mark Fialk, MD, HOW Medical Director
Mrs. Shereff's son and daughter-in-law, Jesse and Rochelle Shereff
George Batten, HOW Executive Director 

Proceeds from the dinner benefit The Anna and Louis H. Shereff Caregiver Program. The Caregiver Program provides financial assistance to Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester patients who live alone, have no family or friend to care for them and lack resources for a substitute caregiver.

The dnner, which netted more than $32,000 was a huge success according to the charimen, Barbara Vrooman and Jacquelyn Pirri. They attributed the evening's fun to their committee and the many donations received.
   

Some of the dinner committee posed for a quick photo before the festivities began:

From left they are Lucille Claroni, Barbara Vrooman, Barbara Maureillo, Gaierose Haskel, Connie Corroon and Jacquelyn Pirri.

The dinner committee members were: Gaierose Haskel, Lucille Claroni, Helen Liebowitz and Barbara Mauriello, White Plains residents; and Connie Corroon and Nancy Rees of Rye.

Amidst the fabulous gifts donated to the raffle were a week at Las Brisas, Mexico, from Edie Dickstein; a gold necklace and earrings by the jewelry designer Roberto Coin; a day of Sailing on a yacht from Richard McCarthy, Chairman of the Hospice Board; a handmade quilt from Christine Burley; four dinners for two from Sam's of Gedney Way; and a camera from Fuji Films.
 

Enjoying a good time were Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester staff.

From left they are Linda Fraser, RN; Elizabeth Scott, CSW; Barbara Lapid, RN; Marek Fialk, MD; Debra Zinkand, RN; Pat Gill, RN; and Jennifer Watts, RN

Congratulations to all for a great job!

  

 

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95 South Broadway, White Plains, NY 10601
Telephone: (914) 682-1484    FAX:  (914) 682-9425    
E-Mail: info@hospiceofwestchester.com

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