For those facing a terminal illness, their last wishes often revolve around three simple things: family, comfort and home. The care and support hospice provides prioritizes these wishes so patients can pass in peace and on their own terms.
Lilliam Kingsbury was the glue that held her family together. Masonic Village Hospice provided stability and comfort for her three sons and husband as they navigated the loss of their matriarch.
Hospice CNAs provide vital support to both patients and nurses, from transporting, bathing and feeding hospital patients to stocking medical supplies and logging patient information.
From the moment Linda met Jeff Loser, he was “the guy” for her. There was lots of love and laughter, and despite some struggles toward the end, “She always knew I cared,” Jeff said, even through her time on Masonic Village Hospice.
Patricia Thompson is grateful to Masonic Village Hospice for being there for her family during their times of need.
Dr. Barbara Caton, associate medical director, loves the one-to-one patient focus of hospice, and she appreciates Masonic Village Hospice's whole team approach to care.
Masonic Village Hospice provided Merilynn Hart the dignified care she deserved, while providing support for her family during a difficult time, made even more challenging because of the pandemic.
Outreach Coordinators Danielle and Jennifer love to share with others what makes Masonic Village Hospice unique.
Patricia Corrao knew that her father, Ronald Russo, was declining. Battling several health issues, including COVID-19, Ronald was being treated in a hospital in Long Island, New York, while Patricia was living in Pennsylvania. She felt helpless until she found Masonic Village Hospice.
The holidays can be hard after a loss, but they also allow you to create new traditions that honor your loved one while helping you move forward as a family.
A fortuitous meeting at a bridal salon led Janell (Berté) Bertelman to Masonic Village. During an appointment, Janell learned the bride worked for Masonic Village Hospice, and that's all she needed to hear to decide on care for her mother.
Dr. John Mast has served Masonic Village at Elizabethtown in various capacities for over 21 years. A geriatric specialist certified in geriatric and family medicine with Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, Dr. Mast was named medical director in 2020 and recently transitioned to hospice medical director. “Since I started at Masonic Village, the facility and staff have done a fabulous job of providing quality end-of-life care."
Tara Weaver will always remember her grandparents’ loving hearts, and the impact they’ve made on her life persists. When the time came for end-of-life care, Tara knew there was no other choice than Masonic Village Hospice.
Some may think butterscotch pie is overly sweet, but to Juanita Keesey’s late husband, Dave, there was nothing better. Juanita made the beloved dessert for Dave’s birthday each year. One year, she accidentally dropped the entire pie in his lap
Vernon Witmer met the love of his life, Doris, at a Saturday night fire hall dance. “She was a very sweet person,” Vernon said. “I enjoyed being with her.” His favorite thing about Doris was the way she treated others.
Even with all the preparation in the world, being present for a loved one’s passing is not always comfortable or predictable. It can be physically and mentally exhausting, as it typically involves a great deal of emotions, including anxiety and worry. Being present during a loved one’s passing, however, can also bring peace to both the individual and family members.
It’s difficult to think about, but a day may come when you won’t be able to make decisions for yourself. That’s when you’ll need someone to step in to manage your finances or decide what type of medical treatment
While it may be difficult to think about the end of your life and how you want to be cared for during a medical emergency or terminal illness, being prepared for future health complications with tools such as an advance directive can help identify important decisions that you and your loved ones have to make.
“I would tell anyone to get hospice for a loved one who may need it,” Gabi said. “It really helps the caregiver and gives you support even after they are gone.”
Michele Koser has countless memories with her father, David “Dave” Shafer, from riding on the back of his bike as a child and eating chocolate ice cream at Baskin-Robbins to their countless dinners out together as adults.
At the end of life, it’s important to address not only a person’s physical comfort and daily care, but also their emotional and spiritual needs.
We often think of grief only as it relates to our feelings after someone has died. In reality, there are many symptoms of grief that we experience emotionally, cognitively, physically, socially and spiritually.
After an unexpected, life-altering diagnosis, families’ feelings of hope and acceptance can turn to feelings of despair and denial. These feelings may change day-to-day as a loved one's health changes.
Many know that it is important to express your health care wishes for end-of-life care and medical emergencies, but you may be confused on the types of advance directives and their meaning. Advance directives establish how you want to be
Using a hospice service is undoubtedly the best option in the last months of life, not only because it offers a variety of benefits to patients, but because it also offers a variety of benefits for loved ones. Despite its many advantages, hospice is still a mystery to most. Here are the top five myths Masonic Village hospice staff dispel on a regular basis.
When looking for a hospice provider for a loved one, it’s important to remember that not all providers are created equal. While almost all are Medicare-certified, they can differ in how, where and when they provide services for your loved one and your family.
For hospice caregivers across the country, COVID-19 replaced hugs, hand-holding and togetherness with masks, reduced physical contact and limited visits from family and friends.
Anyone who knew Max Hoffman remembers he was always up to something. Max was a busy man with more than a few hobbies throughout his life, usually revolving around family and helping others.
Mary Main’s mother-in-law, Dotty, was full of spunk, right up until her last breath. She loved vibrant clothing, chunky jewelry and speaking her mind. “Dotty was very curious about people, and she kept everyone on their toes,” Mary said, “even
Ruth Carty’s husband, Eddie, was Irish. For him, it was more than just his heritage, it was part of who he was – a good father and loving husband who looked forward to Saint Patrick’s Day each year.
When someone is diagnosed with a terminal illness, their loved ones often take on a role they never thought they would: caregiver. Caregivers are responsible for the well-being of their loved one while still caring for themselves and, sometimes, other
Try participating in the following activities with your child, or encourage them to partake in some of these activities alone. These activities can also be beneficial for adults who are overcoming grief.
Your child may benefit from the chance to remember, honor and celebrate their loved one in a creative, therapeutic way.
Here are 10 ways to help your child, who may be having difficulty processing the finality of death, cope with the death of a loved one.
A mother’s strength is unparalleled. Chad Thomas’ mother, Eileen, was no exception. Eileen was Chad’s rock, his phone call on the way home after work in the evening. It didn’t surprise Chad to learn that when his mother was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in 2013, she first thought of her family and how they would cope with the journey ahead.
On one September morning, the van was loaded, and Marty was on his way to see his Phillies. The sun shone during the afternoon game, where Marty enjoyed “the best” slice of pepperoni pizza and a cold beer.
There are many stigmas about hospice care. However, as those who work in hospice come to find, hospice isn’t just about death and dying. It’s about making every moment count and cherishing what’s most important in life.
Lee Beach’s wife, Betty Jane, loved ice cream, specifically classic vanilla topped with pieces of a Snickers candy bar. She radiated positive energy and found joy in life’s littlest pleasures. As a registered nurse for more than 40 years, she also had a kind and nurturing heart. This is why Lee, upon first sight of Betty Jane, knew he’d found the one he’d spend the next 65 years chasing after.
105-year-old Florence Methlie has been the connecting link for many people throughout her lifetime. Whether she was connecting people to their loved ones via her job at the Bell Telephone Company or being the glue that held her own family together, Florence has always had a way with people.
Jill Stauffer’s life was moving fast. She and her husband were keeping up with their toddler son and had another on the way when time suddenly stopped. In November 2016, Jill’s grandmother, Bea, was diagnosed with cancer after suffering from respiratory issues that she thought were only temporary.
Nala walked excitedly beside her owner, Bethann Lizzi, one of hospice’s RN case managers. Her tail was wagging, as she knew she was going to visit with patients. As she walked down the hall, she spotted an old friend, Frank Bubbenmoyer. Frank immediately brightened up with a big smile as he bent over in his wheelchair to pet Nala. He talked to her, and even hand-fed her the treats Bethann gave to him. Bethann asked if he remembered Nala.
To truly understand someone, you must walk a mile in their shoes. This is why Masonic Village Hospice has begun pairing patients who are veterans with veteran volunteers.
As a funeral home director for the last 25 years, Dick Merritt was responsible for not only organizing respectful burials and services, but looking death in the eye and educating others on how to come to terms with grief.
Registered Nurse Ashley Watts supports Masonic Village Hospice patients and families through some of the most difficult days of their lives.
Masonic Village Hospice staff heard word of the story and were inspired to grant Bill his wish. “They said they would take care of it,” Bill recalls. “Before I knew it, they were coming to pick me up and take me for my first tattoo.”
For the Meridionales, the best parts of being a big Italian family are the laughs, the stories and most importantly, the bond. The family has a bond that has never wavered, even after losing the woman who gave life to it all, Carol Meridionale, beloved wife, mother and grandmother.
Registered nurse Robert Heim is a natural-born caregiver who often serves as a guiding hand, voice of reason and shoulder to lean on. Robert is said to leave a strong impact on the lives he touches, including fellow Masonic Village Hospice staff and, most importantly, patients and their families.
For those who never met Betsy Karl, her personality shines through in the way her husband, David, speaks of her. Betsy, in so many words, was slow to anger and quick to forgive. She was caring and generously gave of herself to others. Her husband, David, lovingly refers to her as “my lady, my Betsy,” and the two were best friends who raised a beautiful daughter together.
When Ron Swope thinks of his wife Karen, he thinks of three things: her basket full of coloring books, all the angel figurines she placed around their home and her smile. The couple was married for 50 years, and Ron didn’t let a cancer diagnosis change the vows he made to her. He would always take care of her, no matter what life had in store.
For many, the word “therapy” brings about images of lying on a couch while being asked, “How does that make you feel?” While this type of therapy can be helpful for many hospice patients, they often want or need something more. Integrative therapies fill that need and are specially designed to consider the whole person: medically, psychosocially and spiritually.