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/

4

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.

Lee Coray-Ludden, Bereavement Coordinator

2016 Memorial Donations

Through December 15, 2016

Gloria Menconi……………………………………………………………From: Wendell & Wendi Dutcher

Loved Ones………………………………………………..………………………………From: Judith Swarner

Cindy William.................................................................................................From: Gina Ross

Oma Keenan…………………………………………………..………………………………….From: Gina Ross

Dian Schmitt……………………………………………………………….……….From: Reean and Dan Pitts

Family and Friends………………………………………………...…….From: Judith and Robert Downs

Ed and Geneva Stone………………………………………………………….……………From: Orca Theater

Ken Cormie…………………………………………………………………………………… From: Jean Cormie

Jim Morrison………………………………………………………………………………… From: Pat Morrison

Paul and Amy Isaac……………………………………………………………… From: Tom and Joan Corr

Bill Reeder, Sr………………………………………………………………………From: Rhonda McCormick

Willie Bowen……………………………………………………………..………………………From: Jack Bowen

John Bowen

Jacob Hauser……..………………………………………………………………………….Branden Bornemann

If your memorial donation is not listed, or if it is listed incorrectly, please contact Janice

We are proud to be a Pick.Click.Give organization.

In 2016 over 29,000 Alaskans donated over $3,000,000.00

through PCG

This year almost 70 people donated over $4,000 to

Hospice of the Central Peninsula through Pick.Click.Give.

We are grateful for each and every one of you.

When you apply for your 2017 PFD please consider a donation.

Grants and donations we have receive in 2016 continue to provide funding for our organization’s outreach pro-

grams. We want to recognize and thank these organizations for placing value in what hospice does for the Central

Peninsula

CENTRAL PENINSULA GENERAL HOSPITAL

CENTRAL PENINSULA HEALTH FOUNDATION

KENAI COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

RASMUSON FOUNDATION

TESORO EMPLOYEE MATCHING PROGRAM

EXXONMOBIL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

KENAI REALTORS ASSOCIATION

BISHOP’S ATTIC

LADIES EAGLES

BIRCH FOUNDATION

AMERICAN SEA FOODS

UNITED WAY

FEDERAL SHARED CAMPAIGN

INTERNAL MEDICINE SOLDOTNA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

THE NAVARRE FAMILY CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH

PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE

Hospice of the Central Peninsula

PO Box 2584

Soldotna, AK 99669