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FEBRUARY 2020

WELCOME TO OUR NEW

BEREAVEMENT COORDINATOR By Linda Loba, Hospice Volunteer I had an interesting and fun interview with our newest staff member, Bereavement Coordinator Michelle Sells. She came to EvergreenHealth Hospice in late December, and told me first of all, how friendly, welcoming and supportive everyone has been. Michelle has a Master’s in Social Work and a Certificate in Public Administration from Eastern WA University. She has owned a nightly rental business in Leavenworth, taught early child development in a school for aspiring nannies, worked for 8 years in Child Protective Services, worked with ECEAP (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program) as a Family Advocate for families and children, and she volunteers extensively. Most recently, Michelle worked as a Patient Advocate for patient rights at Oregon Health & Science University. The unit she was working in happened to be in the same space as a Palliative Care Unit and it was experiencing the Palliative Care Unit that served as a motivator (as well as her own significant losses) for Michelle to seek out openings in Palliative Care and Hospice centers. Not long after starting her search, she found the Bereavement Coordinator opening at EvergreenHealth Hospice. Michelle says hospice feels like such a good “fit” after her experience with patient advocacy, and seeing how Palliative Care works. She said she’s finding the work at hospice very rewarding. She also mentioned the friendliness and support she’s received from everyone, especially fellow hospice Bereavement Coordinator Michael Lusk, who she says is a “Superstar.” Michelle has since bought a house, and her son who lives close by is helping her with renovations, in addition to checking up on Michelle’s two dogs at least once a day.

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As I said, it was not only interesting to interview Michelle, but also fun: she has a great sense of humor and is very friendly: if you get a chance to come to the Hospice Center, be sure stop by and say hello to her!

Michelle & her son Marcus Monkey and Max

HOSPICE VOLUNTEER FACEBOOK PAGE Did you know that the Evergreen Hospice Volunteers have their very own Facebook page? It’s a great place to see pictures of your fellow volunteers, celebrate them, learn more about various hospice related topics, and generally stay in touch. Please visit and like our page at https://www.facebook.com/EvergreenHospiceVolunteers

KUDOS FROM FAMILIES “Lamin, thanks for your great patient care today (9/16).” “Ditto 9/17.” “Thanks for all the excellent care I have been receiving! You guys are the best, love you all…” “Happy Holidays HCC staff. This is peanut brittle me and my family make every year. Enjoy.” “To the Staff of Evergreen Hospice: Thank you so much for your loving care for [patient]. We’ll miss you all.” “Entire staff: Thank you so much for the wonderful care you gave our [patient]. Also, the support you gave all of us as we tried to deal with the last days of his life.” FROM STAFF “Kevin, my husband, was making a call to get a quote on auto/home insurance and, in that conversation, the agent needed to know our occupations. When he told her mine, she did that soft “oh” thing, that

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compassionate moan thing that people do, and you never know what’s going to come next. What she said was that her husband died at HCC and it is coming up on the one-year anniversary. Then she said, “Please ask her to tell them how much the hummingbirds meant to me.” Since I don’t know who “they” are, thought I’d pass it along to everyone!” – Volunteer Coordinator Sheri Standley

“We our volunteers! Thank you for sharing your time and talents!” Cynthia Tomik, LICSW, Manager – Palliative Care, Spiritual Care, Bereavement, Volunteer Services and Honoring Choices

SPECIAL FEATURES

Diaper drive success! Such big hearts! Thank you so much to everyone who participated in this year’s Hopelink Foodbank Diaper Drive! It was another terrific year and another well-received donation. The diaper bundles will be broken down by Hopelink volunteers into smaller packages to be able to serve the most families. Thank you for your generosity and caring. Hopelink and your community thanks you! -Julia Guderian, hospice volunteer

L-R: Julia- Evergreen Hospice Volunteer, Hopelink Volunteer, Melissa-Volunteer Coordinator and not pictured, Buckley- Hopelink Volunteer

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UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE DECLINING FLU SHOTS IF YOU SIGNED A DECLINATION FOR THE FLU SHOT, PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION BELOW ABOUT WHEN AND HOW TO MASK APPROPRIATELY. Please remember flu compliance is mandatory. What that means is that you either have to get the shot by November 22, or you have to sign a declination form and wear a mask whenever you are in the hospital, the Hospice Care Center, or with a patient in the field. That rule will be in place until the flu season is declared over. Last year, that wasn’t until June 30. You can go to Employee Health and they will take care of you. If you have your shot provided by your own doctor or local pharmacy, please forward the official paperwork to a volunteer coordinator that shows your name, the date, the batch number, and by whom the vaccine was administered.

The following procedures are required when masking for volunteers who did not receive this year’s influenza vaccine:

• Yellow procedural masks must be worn in all outpatient and inpatient departments where care is provided to a patient: Registration, DI, nursing units (including nursing stations), laboratory patient service center, Hospice Care Center, hospital outpatient departments, primary care and specialty clinics, Radiation Oncology and patient homes (for Home Health staff).

• Mask must be changed when leaving a patient room, when leaving an isolation room, when mask is wet or soiled, and/or at least every two hours.

• Masks are not required in break rooms, offices, meeting rooms or dining areas.

Communication with patients and families When providing care and interacting with patients and families, volunteers may be asked why they are masking. You may respond with this explanation: “I have not received the annual influenza vaccination, so I am wearing a procedure mask for your protection” or “I am unable to receive the annual flu vaccine, so I am wearing a procedure mask for your protection.” If you have questions about mandatory masking, please talk to a volunteer coordinator. This policy will remain in effect while influenza is active in the community as determined by local public health and Infection Control. A communication will be sent out when this requirement is lifted.

IF YOU’RE USING YOUR EVERGREEN EMAIL… If you’re using your evergreen email address for all communication with us, your username/email address to log in to VIC (Volunteer Information Center -https://www.volgistics.com/ex2/vicnet.dll?from=15927) is now your Evergreen email address. The password should be the same, but if you need it reset, let Sheri know! **And, if you haven’t checked it out, there’s a whole section on VIC for Home Care (field) volunteers that includes the current training manual, respite checklist, etc.

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YOGA BOLSTERS AND BLOCKS NEEDED Hospice needs donations of yoga bolsters and blocks for staff (and volunteers if they’re interested) to use on their breaks when they want to do a little stretching - those 12-hour shifts can take a toll on the body. Contact Melissa at MRLubatti@evergreenhealth.org if you’re interested in donating.

EVERGREENHEALTH HOSPICE HUMMINGBIRD ART UPDATE We would like to thank everyone who donated to our Hummingbird Art Project, and we are now only $1540 away from our goal! To make a gift please visit our special project website: www.evergreenhealthfoundation.com/evergreen-hospice-hummingbird-project/ And you can view the artist’s work here: FreebernePhotography Warmest Wishes, Melissa Lubatti, Coordinator-Hospice

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

HOSPICE MUSIC WITH AVI – THEME: MELODY AS MEDITATION

Date: Wed., Feb. 26

Time: 12-1:30 p.m.

Location: Hospice Care Center Reflection Room

The soothing power of music is well-established. It has a unique link to our emotions and can be an

extremely effective stress management tool. Listening to music can have a tremendously relaxing effect on

our minds and bodies.

Bring your stress and your voice to join in on this evening of music and sacred wordless melodies. There will also be quiet times for reflection. You are welcome to participate through listening if you don’t feel like singing. Drop by for a few minutes or the whole time. Brought to you by the Compassion committee

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Please mark your calendars!

EvergreenHealth Hospice Volunteers

Fifth Annual Conference Saturday, April 25, 2020

8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Bastyr University

Lunch will be provided

Stay tuned for your official invitation and our exciting agenda!

Sheri, Melissa, and Alicia VOLUNTEER SUPPORT MEETINGS All volunteer support meeting information is listed in the monthly calendars at the back of the newsletter. Please RSVP with a volunteer coordinator or VIC online so we can plan accordingly (but walk-ins still welcome!

EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS

ATTENTION AAT VOLUNTEERS - AAT CLASS: Relationship Development/Therapy Animal Skills (Spring series) Brought to you by HEALING PAWS® INC

Dates: March 19, 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23 The Relationship Development/Therapy Animal Skills Class sets you, the handler, and your animal teammate up for success. This hands-on, experiential class meets 6 times, for 1.5 hours each meeting. Please note: this class is spread over 2 months, in order to give you and your animal the time to assimilate and practice the information provided in each class, and the opportunity to develop into a therapy team, if that is your interest. People and their animals come to the class with a clearly loving relationship. This class helps you, the handler, understand how to be a proactive and supportive teammate so that you and your animal are successful in your lives together and in therapy work. At the conclusion of this class, my hope is that you will have a deeper understanding of your animal, and your relationship will be stronger.

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Our animals give their best when asked to interact with unfamiliar people or other animals. Sometimes that interaction goes very poorly, and sometimes it works out okay. But success is more than tolerance of interactions, for you or for your animal. True success happens when both the animal and handler are well-suited for the interaction. It is your responsibility to determine the suitability of the interaction before it occurs and, if necessary, to decline it gracefully and clearly. Don’t know how to do this? You will by the end of this class. Who should attend?

• Students in need of community service hours for school projects • Young people working on bar or bat mitzvah projects • College students wanting to help de-stress their fellow students • Volunteers interested in participating in reading programs • Volunteers wanting to visit patients in medical facilities • Professionals wanting to work with their animal teammate in their practice

Here are some of the lessons covered in this class:

• Setting boundaries with people and their animals, and with exuberant people wanting to interact with your animal

• Establishing respect in your relationship with your animal • Recognizing your animal's stress signs and knowing what to do about them • Grounding yourself and being in the moment with your animal • Handling your animal • Developing a “visiting” mindset • Visiting with intention • Enhancing your interactions by learning a few tricks • Learning about some of the different visiting populations and environments – role play scenarios • Familiarizing you and your animal around health care equipment

For those of you who are interested in becoming registered with a therapy team organization, this serves as a preparation class. Your responsibility is to:

• Understand and complete the onboarding requirements of the therapy team organization • Prepare yourself and your animal to meet the expectations of the therapy team organization’s

evaluation • Know your animal’s behavioral and emotional strengths and weaknesses and anticipate their needs • Always demonstrate proactive and supportive handling of your animal throughout this class, your

therapy team evaluation, and in your future therapy team visits. Prerequisites: To participate in these classes, your animal must be house-broken, and safe to be around unfamiliar people and animals. Class Cost: $200 per handler. Price includes the book, "Teaming with your Therapy Dog" by Ann R. Howie, LICSW, ACSW and DVD “Developing and Nurturing the Therapy Team Relationship” by Christi Dudzik, LMHC, MC, CPP-AAPT Please go to www.healingpaws.com for more information.

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IDT TIMES AND LOCATIONS* *Note: All IDTs are scheduled at the Hospice Center unless there’s a room conflict. Please let us know if you plan to come, so we can save you a place and verify the location. North Team (Sheri) Tuesdays, 8:15 -10:30 a.m. Central Two (Alicia) Tuesdays, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. Central One Team (Sheri) Thursdays, 8:15 – 10:30 a.m. Inpatient Team (Melissa) Thursdays, 11:30-12:30 p.m. South Team (Alicia) Fridays, 8:30-10:30 a.m.

SAFETY AND SECURITY NUMBERS Campus Emergencies – 425-899-1199 (ext. 1199)

For emergency codes, security STAT, suspicious behavior, etc. Campus Security Non-Emergencies – 425-899-1300 (ext. 1300)

Can also be used for requesting an escort to your car Reporting Off-Campus Emergencies – (9)911 Note: (the Hospice Center is considered Off-Campus)

HELPFUL HOSPICE CONTACTS Melissa Lubatti, Volunteer Coordinator Hospice Care Center Animal Assisted Therapy MRLubatti@evergreenheathcare.org 425.899.1028 425-899.1080 - Fax Alicia Robinson, Volunteer Coordinator Home Hospice South and Central Two Teams ARobinson@evergreenhealthcare.org 425.899.1049 425-899.1080 – Fax

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Sheri Standley, Volunteer Coordinator Home Hospice North and Central One Teams SJStandley@evergreenhealthcare.org 425.899.3290 425-899.1080 – Fax Hospice Main Telephone Line 425.899.1040 or 425.899.1070 1-800- 442-4546 All are answered 24 hrs. a day/7 days a week Hospice Toll Free Number 1-800- 442-4546 Both numbers are answered 24 hrs. a day/7 days a week Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Fax 425.899.1080 Hospice Bereavement 425-899-1077 Employee Health: 425.899.2282 - Reception Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (M,T,W for TB test placement) Check VIC for scheduled closures

PROTECTING YOUR PRIVACY WHEN CALLING FAMILIES FROM HOME Using our home phone risks our own privacy. If you do not have Call Blocking as the default on your home phone, you can dial *67 + number you are dialing. This will block your number from showing up on patients/families’ caller ID for that specific call.

HELPFUL HOSPICE LINKS EvergreenHealth Hospice Volunteer Information and Application Forms https://www.EvergreenHealth.com/hospice-volunteer-positions Hospice Foundation of America http://hospicefoundation.org/ Helping a Grieving Employee Helping a Grieving Co-Worker Helping a Friend Who is Grieving National Hospice Foundation www.hospiceinfo.org National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization www.nhpco.org Willowgreen Books, videos, newsletters, notecards, and electronic resources for Caregiving, Grief and Loss, Transition and Aging, Illness and Dying, Spirituality and Life Meaning. https://shop.willowgreen.com/

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The Living/Dying Project Offers conscious and compassionate support in the spirit of mutual exploration to those facing life-threatening illness, to their caregivers, to those facing life’s most difficult situations, and to anyone committed to spiritual transformation. https://www.livingdying.org/intro/ Caregiving site: https://dailycaring.com/ Multiple subjects, including “Living to the End of Life” and Caregiving https://www.nextavenue.org/special-report/living-end-life/ Video link for Hospice A link to a music video with photos of our hospice center gardens taken by Volunteer Coordinator Criss East with music composed by Cathy Scarcello, and sung by Cathy and her sister Chris Clement, one of our hospice managers. Cathy wrote these songs for the Rose Garden Ceremony and they sing them each year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC1TliBe7to&feature=youtube Presencing – For Compassionate Touch Volunteers: www.presencingsource.com EvergreenHealth Relaxation Methods Link: https://www.EvergreenHealth.com/relaxation EthnoMed Contains information about cultural beliefs, medical issues and related topics pertinent to the health care of immigrants to Seattle. https://ethnomed.org/ Today’s Voice for Dementia, Making a Difference One Mind at a Time: http://www.teepasnow.com How to talk to your kids about death and grief https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-death_b_2324546

What is a death café? https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-is-a-death-cafe

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REFLECTIONS

Accepting This By Mark Nepo

Yes, it is true. I confess, I have thought great thoughts, and sung great songs – all of it rehearsal for the majesty of being held. The dream is awakened when thinking I love you and life begins when saying I love you and joy moves like blood when embracing others with love. My efforts now turn from trying to outrun suffering to accepting love wherever I can find it. Stripped of causes and plans and things to strive for, I have discovered everything I could need or ask for is right here – in flawed abundance.

We cannot eliminate hunger, but we can feed each other. We cannot eliminate loneliness, but we can hold each other. We cannot eliminate pain, but we can live a life of compassion. Ultimately, we are small living things awakened in the stream, not gods who carve out rivers. Like human fish, we’re asked to experience meaning in the life that moves through the gill of our heart. There is nothing to do and nowhere to go. accepting this, we can do everything and go anywhere.

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FEBRUARY 2020

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 COMMUNITY REIKI CIRCLE 9:30-11:30 a.m.

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5 RECEPTION VOLUNTEER MEETING 10-11 a.m. Reflection Room

6 TOUCHSTONES 2:30-4 Reflection Rm.

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8 VOLUNTEER MEETING Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

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13 14 FREE YOGA CLASS! 10-11:15 a.m. Reflection Rm TUCK-IN VOLUNTEER MEETING 12 – 1 p.m. Conference Rm

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17 INPATIENT VOLUNTEER MEETING 10-11 a.m. Reflection room

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19 SOUTH VOLUNTEER SUPPORT MEETING 6 p.m. Panera Bread, Factoria

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21 BEREAVEMENT VOL. BROWN BAG MEETING 12 – 1 p.m. HCC

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MARCH 2020

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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5 TOUCHSTONES 2:30-4 Reflection Rm

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7 COMMUNITY REIKI CIRCLE 9:30-11:30 a.m. VOLUNTEER MEETING Panera Bread Issaquah 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

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13 FREE YOGA CLASS! 10-11:15 a.m. Reflection Rm

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16 COMFORT THERAPY MEETING 6-7:30 p.m. Conference Rm.

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25 SOUTH VOLUNTEER SUPPORT MEETING 6 p.m. Panera Bread, Factoria

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27 BEREAVEMENT VOL. BROWN BAG MEETING 12 – 1 p.m. HCC

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