Worthy Causes: Hospice Foundation of the South

by Erin Moore

Most people simply don’t think about hospice care unless they’ve experienced the process with a friend or family member.
“It doesn’t get talked about much because it’s usually a personal matter that involves a loss. It’s not a very happy subject,” says Kathy Busco, Hospice Foundation of the South executive director. “Hospice care is not glamorous. It certainly doesn’t lend itself to pretty advertising campaigns, so it doesn’t get much top-of-mind awareness from the general public.”

Hospice is a program for patients who have been given a terminal diagnosis and generally have less than a year to live. A hospice interdisciplinary team, consisting of nurses, social workers, certified nursing assistants, chaplains and volunteers all help the family take care of the patient at home while surrounded by loved ones, or, when available, in a hospice residence. Pain management and comfort enable patients to keep their dignity and independence during their final days.
“Hospice care adds life to days when days can no longer be added to life,” Busco says.

There is a variety of hospice programs across the northshore. Some are affiliated with specific hospitals, while others work with multiple healthcare facilities. Their social workers provide emotional support through counseling, and help families locate available resources to finance their hospice care. The Hospice Foundation of the South, a non-profit organization, is one of those resources.

Dedicated to providing funding to meet the financial and emotional needs of the terminally ill and their families, the foundation is not a hospice provider, but works with a number of hospice care programs. The foundation earmarks funds for indigent patients who cannot afford hospice care. It can also supply the funding for medical supplies such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, oxygen and walkers and other necessities.

The major goal of the foundation is to build a permanent residence in St. Tammany Parish for hospice patients who do not wish to go back into a hospital, but need more help than can be given at home.

To raise funds, the foundation hosts an annual Crawfish Cook-Off in Slidell, sponsors a Reflection Tree with memorial angels during the holidays and conducts an annual appeal through the mail.

In addition to fund-raising, the foundation works to increase hospice awareness. “With so many baby boomers now reaching elder years, there is a need to educate their children about the opportunities hospice care offers,” says Lee Balinas, foundation board president. “We want them to know about hospice ahead of time, so when a decision must be made they can concentrate on being with their loved ones.”

With the firm belief that there is strength in numbers, the foundation is working with other hospice groups, building an informal coalition to work together for the common good of the community. The foundation is able to offer grief counseling for children, as well as sessions designed to help families and friends cope with grief during the holidays.

As Mary DuBussion, foundation vice president, says, “The Hospice Foundation of the South exists in order to support the families of the northshore and the hospice programs which serve them.”

For more information on how you can contribute to the foundation and its programs, go to www.hospicefoundationofthesouth.org, or call 985-643-5470.

North Oaks Hospice and the Richard Murphy Hospice

North Oaks Hospice and the Richard Murphy Hospice Foundation in Hammond have formally partnered to provide hospice care. The groups have worked together since 1995. The opening of the Richard Murphy Hospice House, a residence for hospice patients, makes additional resources available to those in need.

“Our hospice care services will not change. We’re here to help our patients live as fully and comfortably as possible. The only difference will be the availability of the Hospice House for patients who qualify,” explains Joyce O’Brian, RN, North Oaks hospice director.

HOST (Hospice of St. Tammany), which is affiliated with St. Tammany Parish Hospital to support hospice care,
is presenting “A Cajun Fais Do Do” to raise money to assist indigent hospice patients receiving care at STPH.
 
A Cajun Fais Do Do. Sunday, November 4, 3-6pm.
Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum, Madisonville
Music, food, children’s activities
$50 per person, $100 per family (Children 12
and under admitted free.)

For tickets, call Pam Voelkel at 871-6939.