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April 18th – 24th, 2021
Hospice programs would be incomplete without the volunteers who visit with the patients. Whether they are performing a task such as music therapy or art therapy or just a friendly visit, the patients and families look forward to these visits. The Grane Hospice Earth Angels Program has a specially trained staff to visit with hospice patients. They really are Earth Angels.
These volunteers are there for what the patient wants during the visit, to hold a hand, read a book, paint their nails, listen to music, do a life review, or take a trip outside for fresh air. Sometimes, these visits consist of pet therapy where the dog spreads his love and the patients pet or cuddle with their furry friend. These visits are also just as much for the family – someone to listen to, give a break when needed, and to lend a helping hand. Often, a bond is developed between the volunteer and patient.
April 18th – 24th, 2021
We could not survive without those who help in the office. We have a dedicated staff who handle various clerical needs in our branch locations.
In Pittsburgh, our volunteer Mikey helps with all of our shredding and laminating needs. Volunteer Maria helps with the bereavement team and any clerical tasks. Volunteer Rosemary helps in the volunteer department keeping things running smoothly. Volunteer Gladys helps with making packets, mailings, and organizing. Volunteer Maryann helps with creating and putting together packets for staff and families.
April 18th – 24th, 2021
Our volunteers help our patients be more comfortable by making a variety of items. Each patient has a supply of items ready for them in addition to any specific requests. These items include adult clothing protectors, neck pillows, hand pillows, foley catheter covers, wheelchair bags, twiddlemuffs, fidget aprons, blankets and shawls.
Over the past year, our volunteers made face masks a priority, creating hundreds of cloth masks to provide patients, families, and staff. In addition, Grane Hospice created the felt hearts project for patients and their caregivers; each patient and caregiver were given a felt heart as a memento to keep those in mind who were not able to be together.
Not only do we have volunteers who make things so our patients can be more comfortable, we also have volunteers who make things so they know they are loved and kept in their thoughts. As part of the Angel Hugs program, we have a group who make cards for every holiday, and in the last year, make cards, holiday crafts, and pictures to hang on patients’ walls.
April 18th – 24th, 2021
Grane Hospice is a proud partner of the We Honors Veterans Program, which provides specialized care and honor those who have served that have reached end of life. To show gratitude to this patient population, Grane Hospice provides pinning ceremonies to publicly acknowledge the military service and sacrifices made by the Veteran and his or her family. During the ceremony, our chaplains honor the Veteran with a branch-specific pin, a footlocker, and a certificate. In the meantime, stories are also shared surrounded by family and friends. Our Veteran volunteers also assist with these ceremonies and our volunteers make the footlockers. The footlockers are specific to the military branch in which they served.
As mentioned, there are also Veteran volunteers who visit with the Veteran patients. Veteran volunteers have the unique ability to relate to the Veteran patient, therefore, creating an environment in which life review and healing can take place. During these visits, both parties are able to talk about their experiences with someone who has an understanding and knowledge. At times, this is the first time a person shares their experience knowing they are in a safe environment.
Volunteers also honor our Veteran patients during Veterans Day by visiting them, listening to their stories, and thanking them for their service and sacrifice.
Glenn retired in 2018 after having worked for Dollar Bank for 46 years. At his retirement he was Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. He has always enjoyed woodworking of all kinds and is happy to be able to work on the memory boxes for Grane Hospice. Both he and his wife of 48 years, Janice, enjoy the “scent” of newly stained and varnished wood.
Janice suffers from a debilitating lung disease which limits her physical activity. This does not stop her, however; she now looks for projects such as working on holiday cards and making fidgit aprons that exactly fill the bill. She especially loves making the holiday cards. Both the fidgit aprons and the holiday cards highlight her creative side. She is happy to be a Grane volunteer!
In addition to the hospice bereavement staff, bereavement volunteers offer an extra hand to help the families grieve the loss of loved ones. Our bereavement volunteers show their support by making memory bears, memory pillows, and memory boxes; items that families request in honor of their loved ones. During memorial services, volunteers also sing or playing an instrument. Interns also help the bereavement team through in person meetings and phone calls.
April 18th – 24th, 2021
Reiki is a form of alternative medicine called energy healing. Reiki practitioners use a technique called palm healing (or hands-on-healing) through which universal energy is said to be transferred through the palms of the practitioner to the patient in order to encourage healing. It does not cure disease or illness, but it is a way to manage symptoms and improve general well-being.
A reiki session can help ease tension and stress, as well as support the body to facilitate an environment for healing on all levels: physical, mental, and emotional.
During a session, the practitioner places their hands either directly on the patient or above them– stimulating the body’s healing abilities. The patient may experience sensations in their body such as heat or tingling. The patient is clothed for the session.
After the session, most patients feel calm and relaxed, some even fall asleep during the session.
Grane Hospice Care provides Comfort for the Body, Mind, and Soul through unique, individualized and professional care plans allowing you to live comfortably in your home, surrounded by loved ones.
Grane Hospice prides itself by partnering with the We Honor Veterans Program. We have a team of highly-trained individuals who work with our Veteran patients during their time of need.