MARTINSBURG — May 24, 2019, is a day that Patricia Hosby and Bill Bailey will remember forever. Not just because it was their wedding day, but because they got to celebrate with a very small group of close family members and friends, including their elderly mothers. Hosby’s mom, Anna Henson, had been residing at Elmcroft…
I remember always being fascinated by nature. Even as a young child I was in awe of the complexities of living things. It is not surprising that I ended up seeking a degree in biology and ultimately medicine. As I proceeded through higher education, my amazement of the human body and mind increased exponentially. The…
KEARNEYSVILLE — What may have surprised Hospice of the Panhandle social worker Nina O’Connor the most about a recent advocacy trip to Capitol Hill was just how much congressional staffers knew about hospice care. “It was really amazing,” O’Connor said about her trip on April 16 and 17. “Every single staffer had his or her…
By Ashley Horst Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator Phil Ernst, who served in the Marines for 4 years and owned Woodbrier Nursery in the late 1970s, liked having a purpose and had always done his best at whatever he chose to do. For him, having bladder cancer wasn’t a reason to give up. He just needed…
On this very brisk spring day, I have been looking over some of the copies of the Comforter that have appeared over the past 10 years. And I have to say that I can hardly believe I’ve been here at Hospice of the Panhandle for 10 years. It seems like the blink of an eye!…
Anniversaries, birthdays and milestones are important occasions to remember and celebrate. At Hospice of the Panhandle, we’ve become quite adept at recognizing them and helping the people we serve to celebrate and reflect. This month we have one of our own. On March 31, 2014, Hospice staff received our very first patient at our inpatient…
My first experience with hospice services began in high school when my grandparents moved into our home after they both received a terminal diagnosis. Their diagnoses were devastating to our family, but we were dedicated to making them comfortable in our home and our routines became based on their needs. My mom coordinated hospice services,…
By Maria Lorensen, Development Director Three Italian Greyhound puppies scurry up into their “daddy’s” lap, nestling in a plush tan oversize blanket that covers Gene Mulder’s legs. On this frigid but bright, sunny winter day, Bella, Luci and Pia find a comfortable spot, and quiet down. “They’ll stay that way,” said Gene’s wife, Lynn. “They…
Millions of elderly people (age 65 and older) experience falls. Further statistics show that; one out of five falls result in a serious injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than 300,000 elderly people are hospitalized each year for hip fractures, with 95 percent of hip fractures resulting from a…
Caregiving is hard work. With it comes a lot of emotions. Some of these emotions are positive—love, connection, gratitude. Others may be negative—guilt, resentment, fear. Being unable to be a caregiver when a loved one is ill also brings with it a lot of conflicting emotions. You may feel guilty and regret not being able…