Hospice patient finds purpose in puppy
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…
Growing up in 5 years
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…
Five years: The dream continues
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…
Surrounding you with support at a time of loss
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.…
Say I love you every day
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,”…
Why falls and fractures in the elderly can be a trigger for hospice care
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…
Hospice helps loved ones enjoy caregiving more
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…
Family cares for husband and father at home celebrating 60 years of love
Having experienced the compassion of hospice care with family members and friends, Mike Everhart and his family knew that hospice care was exactly what they wanted when he was diagnosed with lung cancer in addition to the heart disease that already made it difficult for him to breathe. Mike entered…
Hospice helped bring former Air Guard commander home
When Brigadier General V. Wayne “Speedy” Lloyd was diagnosed with a fast-growing brain tumor, he wanted to get back to his home among the West Virginia hills. “I started my life here,” General Lloyd told his sister, Dottie Lorenz. “And I want to end it here.” Dottie knew that she…
Daughter pays it forward for mother’s care
By Maria Lorensen, Development Director Gratitude. That’s what Diane Stewart feels in response to the care her late mother, Gladys Singhas, received at Hospice of the Panhandle’s Inpatient Facility last summer. Singhas, 92, was admitted to Jefferson Memorial Hospital in May following an illness. She had been suffering from dementia for…
