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Newsletter Summer / Fall 2001 TABLE of CONTENTS Message from Director | Julian Keppler - age 95 | Kind Words from a Hospice Family An Open Letter from a Volunteer | Support Groups/Educational Groups Click here to download a PDF version of this Summer/Fall 2001 Newsletter Click here if you need to download a copy of: A Message from the Executive Director Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester receives many inquiries from Westchester County residents who are interested in our programs and services. I would like to share with you some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers, in the hope that you may better understand the hospice philosophy and the services we provide. What is the mission of Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester? The Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester provides an individualized program of medical, physical, emotional, and spiritual care for Westchester County residents when it has been determined that treatment with anticipation of cure is no longer possible. The primary goal of Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester is to enable the patient to remain at home as an active participant in his or her own care with the support of family and caregivers. What is hospice care? Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester provides skilled, compassionate, end of life care to patients and lends support to their families and loved ones. Our program is focused on improving the quality of life for both the patient and their families. Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester emphasizes pain and symptom control, emotional and spiritual support, and practical assistance with the many problems that arise when someone is terminally ill. Our full range of services are available to adults and children in Westchester County, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hospice care includes a dedicated, interdisciplinary, professional team comprised of physicians, registered nurses, licensed social workers, certified home health aides, therapists, pastoral counselors, bereavement counselors, complementary care professionals, a registered dietician/nutritionist and specially trained volunteers who augment the services offered by our professional staff. An individualized plan of care is developed based upon the needs of the patient and family. This plan is continually reviewed and updated. All hospice programs and services are explained to the patient and family on an initial visit. Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester also has an on-call service in order that the needs of patients and family members can be responded to at any time. Hospice care also provides medical equipment, supplies, medications for symptom control and pain relief and short-term respite care. Is a “do-not-resuscitate order”required for hospice? No, although most patients have DNR orders. This should be discussed with your doctor and Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester at the time you are considering hospice care. Who is eligible for hospice care? Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester provides service to persons of any age, with any terminal illness resulting in a life expectancy of six months or less, as determined by the patient’s physician. Some of the illnesses that Hospice patients may have include cancer, cardiac and respiratory disease, AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney disease, and dementia to name a few. Where is hospice care provided? The majority of our hospice patients live in their own home with family members or a friend who serves as the primary care-giver, or the patient may choose to be cared for at the home of a family member or a close friend. Others may live in an extended care facility such as a nursing home or an assisted living community, Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester can provide services to patients in these facilities provided there is a contractual agreement in place. How is hospice care paid for? Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester receives reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid and most major insurance plans. There are also several grants available to patients and their families. Thanks to our fund-raising efforts and donations, no one will be denied enrollment or service based upon age, race, color, religion, national origin, ability to pay or physical or mental disabilities. When is the appropriate time to call Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester? As treatment shifts from cure to one of support and comfort, then it is time to contact Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester. Federal law requires that your attending physician must sign a certification of terminal illness with an approximate prognosis of 6 months or less. Most of our families that have used our services say that they wished they called us sooner. Hospice care helps you live until you die and preserves the individuals quality of life. To describe Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester services in a couple of words, Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester provides: “Aggressive Comfort Care.” George Batten Executive Director, Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester

Julian Keppler recently celebrated his 95th birthday. He is a good-natured, brilliant man with a wide smile, a twinkle in his eye, and a quick wit. His beloved wife, Sue, was a patient in the Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester program. She died of Alzheimer’s at the age of 89. “We had 63 years of marital bliss,” recalls Mr. Keppler. He remembers when he first met his wife. “She was a fancy lady, very attractive and well-dressed.” Sue was a buyer for Saks Fifth Avenue in the children’s department. Keppler describes her as outgoing and very happy. “I never planned to marry,” he smiles, “but she broke me down.” He and Sue met through mutual friends and they were married on her 26th birthday. It was during the Depression. They didn’t tell their families of their intentions to marry. They eloped. “We went to City Hall, then took some friends out to lunch, and went back to work,” he explained. “For a few nights, we even went back to our own respective homes, until my mother grew suspicious. It was then we broke the silence.” After Sue Keppler’s death, Julian Keppler began compiling his memoirs and shared with us an excerpt of what is written in his heart. “Sue and I had a most affectionate, closely-knit family of three children (including twins), five grandchildren, and we have a great grandchild on the way. She was a wonderful wife and mother. I recall particularly her intense interest in words and the use of language. I think that the daily crossword puzzle was as important to her as dinner. Sue quit college to raise our children. She later went back to college and graduated at age 60. When Sue was 60, and I was 65, I retired from my lifelong profession as an attorney. We had always wanted to travel. We sold our home in New Jersey and spent an entire year traveling throughout 18 countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe, living in a Volkswagen van. Following our first adventure, we lived for eight years, fulltime, in a luxurious motor home. We traveled all over North America to 47 of the 50 states, Canada, and Mexico. Over the years, we owned a succession of 13 boats. Our smallest boat was a speedboat and our largest slept six. The last boat was a small houseboat in which we lived and traveled for two years. From time to time, we would store our vehicles and do some oversees travel. Traveling and boating became our absorbing passions. Together, Sue and I had visited a total of 74 countries. When Sue was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it curtailed our travels. As the disease progressed, we contacted Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester for their care and support.” Now Julian Keppler receives bereavement support visits from Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester Spiritual Coordinator, Mary Wasacz, and one of our Bereavement Volunteers, Mary Ann Kinsella. “I have a date with you people once a week,” he quips, “you are a spectacular organization and I appreciate the help.” Mary Ann says of Mr. Keppler, “I think it’s enriching to see a man in his 90’s who, despite the loss of his wife, still has a zest for life and wants to learn new things.” One of Mr. Keppler’s new endeavors is to learn the computer. He loves it and uses it often. He also gives slide presentations of his travels and has 63 slide trays! Mr. Keppler recently gave a presentation to the residents of the assisted living complex where he now lives. Most of all, Mr. Keppler enjoys spending time with his family and looks forward to holding his great grandson who will be named after him.

Kind Words from a Hospice Family I would like to thank Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester for the unequaled care and comfort given my husband, Fernando Calderin, during his final days. Thank you to all the lovely caring nurses, staff, and volunteers, who gave us your utmost support and love when most needed. A special thanks to volunteer, Teresa Kiso, who was like a daughter. She not only comforted us, lifting our spirits, but also accompanied us as an interpreter and letter writer to help bring our daughter from Cuba. She was like an angel in our difficult road ahead. And what can we say about the nurses? You are all wonderful. My husband was particularly fond of Jennifer Watts. Even in his grave condition, when we said, “Here is Jennifer,” he would open his eyes, so glad to see her. For every one of you, from the bottom of our hearts, we would like to say thank you. In you we found the assistance and love which is so important. We will be eternally grateful for all your care and love shown to him. May God bless you all!! Ramona and Maritza Calderin Port Chester, NY

	An Open Letter from a Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester Volunteer Dear Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester Team, I have been a Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester volunteer for five years. Last year, my relationship with your organization took on an added dimension as I asked you to assist me in taking care of my own father, Bernard Goulden, who was terminally ill. His final wish was to die peacefully, at home, as my mother, Ann, had done five years earlier. I am a registered nurse. I decided long ago that, if possible, I would take care of my parents in the comfort of their home during their final days. It was possible. Your assistance helped my father and me to cope better with the many details of his end of life care, and to do it well. As my father’s illness progressed, he became very weak. An electric bed and other equipment that would add to his comfort, was placed in the sunny living room because he liked that room best. It was comforting to know that I could call you anytime I needed help - 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Although my father was sleeping much of the time, his dog would sit by his bed and nuzzle his hand affectionately when he was awake. He enjoyed simply petting his dog - a bonus of being at home. Neighbors and friends visited a few days before my father died. They were pleasantly surprised at how relaxed and cheerful he was during his final days.   I was able to be at his side as he died in his living room, very peacefully on the morning of April 19, 2000 during Holy Week. A year has passed. Looking back now, I realized that caring for my father during his last days has given me a great sense of satisfaction that cannot be taken away. I wish to thank all the members of the Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester team for your help. You made my life as a caregiver, and the final days of my father’s life, so much better. Your volunteer, Bernice Ann Goulden May 24, 2001

Support Groups AND Educational Series — Fall Sessions Support Groups An Adult Bereavement support group is being formed for the Fall. The evening sessions will be held for those who are mourning the loss of a spouse or parent. The group will meet at Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester. Daytime Bereavement support group for Seniors is also being formed for the Fall. This group will meet at the White Plains Hospital Center. Educational Series “A Time To Grieve — Understanding a Natural Process” Tuesday, September 11, 7:00-8:30 PM “The Art of Healing Grief” Thursday, October 11, 2:30-3:30 PM “More Than a Memory — Special Ways to Honor A Loved One” Thursday, November 8, 6:00-7:30 PM “Coping With Loss During The Holidays Thursday, December 6, 6:00-7:30 PM Registration is required for all support groups and educational events. A $5 donation is suggested to help support the bereavement program. No one is denied enrollment due to the inability to pay. For more information or to register, contact Janice Sauer, CSW-R, Director of Bereavement Services at Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester, (914) 682-1484, ext. 30.

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