Program Informs Club Members About Hospice Services

Giving our program this week were John Small and Siobhan White of Hospice of Northeastern Illinois, describing the services this Barrington non-profit offers. They expressed thanks to members of the business community such as Peggy Kinnane’s and volunteers from Arlington Heights, part of their service area.

The organization’s goal is not only to enhance the quality of life of the patients and families, there are special efforts to help in other ways such as a new facility offering housing-based care to open in 2010. It will be located in Barrington near the library and the Garlands. Another is LIFT, a pre-hospice counseling program to those in need but not yet prescribed as being in last 6 months of life. There’s an effort to reach Viet Nam era veterans though the support of the local organization, Salute, and the Ladies Auxiliary of Illinois.

Working with Marklund, the hospice provides the largest pediatric effort in Illinois.
Special efforts are also being made to reach the Latino community. Bereavement support is offered to the outside community such as Camp Courage for kids and efforts like the 3 days of free grief counseling recently at Barrington High School after the death of a student there.

Siobhan and John reviewed some facts about hospice. A patient’s MD gives an order for hospice care, usually when life is expected to end within six months. This order can be renewed. The organization has had clients who have lived less than six months and others who have lived for several years. A team of specialists is provided to support a client – a nurse, nurses assistant, social worker, chaplain and a trained volunteer. The family’s doctor can remain the patient’s physician. The two things families and patients want most at the end of life is to be pain free, and to remain at home.

The organization prides itself on not turning away clients because of an inability to pay. They said most volunteers find the experience remarkable. Toward the end of life, many patients simply want to talk and share their experiences and thoughts. Being there to help makes a significant difference in the lives of patients, their families, and the volunteers themselves. For more information, to give or volunteer, contact John at the hospice or Siobhan at LIFT, both at 847-381-5599. Referrals can be made through 800-425-4444. The web site is www.HospiceAnswers.org.