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Message from Director | Profile of a Caregiver | Anna and Louis H. Shereff Caregiver program She has a warm smile and a gentle touch. She is by turns nurse, cook, waitress, singer, storyteller and psychologist. She is caregiver Alice Cockerill whose days and nights are spent taking care of 102-year-old Rosetta Cockerill, her aunt and a patient of Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester. Alice is originally from Scotland She speaks lovingly of Rose who is her husband John’s aunt. Alice and John came to live with Rose twelve years ago, and Alice has been Rose’s companion and caregiver for three years. Prior to that Alice spent many years taking care of a friend’s mother. John contributes to Rose’s care by overseeing the medical, financial and insurance issues involved. It is obvious that Alice is well suited for the role of caregiver. She is patient, kind, animated and has a sunny personality. Instinctively, she knows that her voice and presence are soothing to Rose. She sings to her, tells her stories and reminisces about Rose’s long life. “She was good to us. She took care of everyone else in the family. I’m happy that I can be here for her,” Alice says. Alice is grateful for the caring services that Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester brings to Rose and is relieved to know that there are others who can help. She notes that communicating with hospice staff and volunteers is a significant part of the hospice experience. She describes herself as observant and a good listener, and she has picked up valuable caregiver tips from nurses and aides. Alice realizes that she needs time for herself to replenish her spirit so that she can continue to give good care to Rose. She says it’s important to sometimes rely on others to come in and help. “It’s good to know you are not alone,” Alice says. “I realize I have to have time for me too.” She routinely takes walks and has enjoyed brief vacations with her husband. With arrangements made for someone to stay with Rose, Alice was planning to attend a wedding the weekend following this interview. For Alice, touching someone’s life is the meaning of care giving. She has a nurturing spirit, a gift for relating one-on-one. She knows how to reassure Rose, to be a source of comfort. “When I leave the room, I never tell her I’m going away,” Alice says. “I always tell her I’ll be back, and then I say ‘don’t get up and dance.' ” Rosetta Cockerill recently passed away at home comfortably with her loved ones at her side. As part of our ongoing bereavement support services and community outreach, several bereavement groups are scheduled in the coming year.We are now in the process of pre-registration for the following groups:
Both groups will be held at Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30 pm, for eight sessions. In addition a Senior Loss of Spouse Support Group will be offered during the day at White Plains Hospital Center on Thursdays from 11:00 am-12:30 pm for eight sessions. For those who are interested in becoming involved with any group, for for more information please contact: Linda
Plastrik, ACSW, Bereavement Coordinator A donation per person is suggested. Pre-registration is required to attend all groups.
The focus of this newsletter issue is to highlight the importance of the caregiver and his/her role in the caring for their loved one and also the importance of “caring for the caregiver.” All of us are well-aware that the caregiver is an invaluable member of the hospice team, providing the day-to-day care that allows the patient to remain at home in comfortable surroundings. The caregiver, however, also needs attention and consideration to be able to meet the emotional and physical demands of caring for a loved one who has a terminal illness. The caregiver’s own health and well-being are vitally important to Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester. Taking on the role of caregiver brings new responsibilities and perhaps unfamiliar tasks such as tracking medical bills, preparing special meals, and helping with the personal hygiene of the patient. These new duties may seem overwhelming, exhausting and stressful. Remember that it is impossible to know everything about caring for a seriously ill person when the situation first arises. Rely on Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester professionals for information and guidance. Take it one day at a time. Speak to our nurses and social workers involved in the patient’s care about your concerns such as how to handle pain management and who will be available in an emergency. The caregiver may feel isolated and unable to deal with the emotional and physical demands of providing care and support. Be sure to read the information about the signs of stress and what a caregiver can do to overcome feelings of burnout and distress. Make a conscious decision to take care of your own personal needs and your health while you are caring for another person. Those close to you, including your loved one, want you to take care of yourself.
Please remember that the demands on your time are many. Make time for yourself. George Batten
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Save
the Date "A Jazzy Evening!!" You are invited to purchase tickets to our Theater Benefit to be held at the Music Hall in Tarrytown , NY. The original PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND will presenting their foot tapping, wonderful jazz.The evening will also include a champagne dessert reception following the performance. Tickets are $150.00 per person and are limited. Contact Holly Benedict at 914-682-1484 ext. 22 for further information or to make your reservations! Our Third Annual "Tree of Life" Our tree lighting ceremony was held at The Hilton Rye Town on Sunday December 14th, 2003. Tree of Life is an annual event that provides an opportunity for individuals to purchase stars in honor or memory of a loved one. We are most grateful to Betty Morgan and Diversified Investment Advisors Inc., who presented the “Tree of Life” this year. Our appreciation also extends to our sponsors Kevin Hanlon and The Hilton Rye Town, Telecom Pioneers & WFAS FM & AM Radio. Click HERE for pictures from the event.
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Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester is pleased to announce the appointment of new staff members: Evelyn Sanchez is a per diem nurse working evenings and weekends. She obtained her LPN in North Carolina and ADN from Hostos Community College in the Bronx. She has worked at several nursing homes and Jacobi Hospital and continues as Nurse Case Manager for COOP Care Plan. Evelyn is bi-lingual. Denise Carinci-Welsh is a per diem nurse on the hospice staff. She holds a BA from Western Connecticut State University, ADN from Westchester Community College and has taken classes at SUNY Albany toward her BSN. She was previously employed at St. Agnes Hospital and Brooklyn Hospital Center. Denise has her Oncology Nurse Certificate. Cindy Herda is a graduate student doing her field placement as part of her graduate studies in social work She is a candidate for the MSW degree from the NYU Shirley M. Ehrenkranz School of Social Work. Mary Ellen Summerville is a hospice social worker. She has a BA degree from The College of William and Mary, MDiv from Union Theological Seminary and MSW from Columbia University. Before coming to Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester, Mary Ellen was a senior clinical social worker and spirituality program coordinator for Cancer Care in Manhattan. Lucy Hoffman, who has worked at Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester as a per diem social worker is now a regular part-time social worker. She has a BS from Cortland and MSW from Fordham. Linda Plastrik joined the staff as a bereavement coordinator. She has worked as a discharge planner and social worker at St. Joseph’s Medical Center, social worker at Stony Lodge Hospital and most recently at Phelps Hospital as a social worker/psychotherapist. She has completed Post-Masters course work at Hunter College. Deneen Robinson is a per diem nurse on the hospice staff. She holds a BA from Franklin Pierce College and BSN from Hunter College. She was employed most recently at Hebrew Home CO-OP Care Plan as a nurse case manager. Prior to that she worked at Providence Rest Nursing Home and as director of nursing for comprehensive home care at the Jewish Home and Hospital for Aged. Ursula Serini has been hired as our new office manager. Ursula previously worked for MedTech Professional Billing and before that she was with Barrett Capital Corporation.She has held administrative Assistant and Executive Secretary positions. She is currently working toward her BA.
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