Wissahickon Hospice Of Uphs

PROVISION OF COMPREHENSIVE HOSPICE SERVICES

DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2022, WISSAHICKON HOSPICE PROVIDED UNCOMPENSATED CARE, COMPRISED OF CHARITY CARE AND THE PROVISION FOR BAD DEBTS, TOTALING $3,023,660 AND $2,226,003 FOR FY22 AND FY21, RESPECTIVELY. WISSAHICKON HOSPICE PROVIDES MUCH NEEDED PROFESSIONAL AND PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING. TOPICS INCLUDE ISSUES RELATED TO END OF LIFE CARE WITH ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS OF BOTH PROFESSIONALS AND FAMILY CAREGIVERS. OUTREACH EFFORTS INCLUDE WORKSHOPS, SYMPOSIA, INFORMATIONAL AND REFERRAL SERVICES, WEB BASED RESOURCES, AND AUDIO AND VIDEO PROGRAMMING. DURING FY22, WISSAHICKON HOSPICE PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS TO PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC AT LITTLE OR NO CHARGE: > C0MMUNITY SUPPORT/SERVICES: - VOLUNTEER SUPPORT AND SERVICES - VETERANS CELEBRATIONS: 176 VETERAN PACKAGES DELIVERED HONORING THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED - VETERAN'S PROGRAM EXPANDING TO INCLUDE DIRECT COLLABORATION WITH THE VA IN PROVIDING INFORMATION FOR VETERANS ON HOW TO ACCESS THEIR VA HEALTH BENEFITS. - CAKE DRIVE: REMEMBERING PATIENT/FAMILY SPECIAL EVENTS WITH HOMEMADE AND BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED CAKES. 93 CAKES DELIVERED. - HOUSE PLANTS: DELIVERED TO PATIENTS AND FAMILIES AS A GIFT AND TO SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERS COMING INTO THE HOME-OCCURS QUARTERLY, 140 PLANTS DELIVERED - COMPANIONSHIP VOLUNTEERS: OVER 500 UNIQUE VOLUNTEER VISITS MADE TO COMMUNITY HOSPICE PATIENTS FOR COMPANIONSHIP AND/OR CAREGIVER RELIEF - LAST WRITERS: IN COLLABORATION WITH THE PERELEMAN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, MED STUDENTS PRODUCED 6 MEMOIRS FOR PATIENTS, FAMILIES AND THE BEREAVED. - HOSPICE 101'S PROVIDED TO COMMUNITY: ST. VINCENT'S PARRISH IN MT. AIRY AND BUXMONT UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP IN BUCKS COUNTY. - IN-SERVICES AND EDUCATIONS FOR VOLUNTEERS: 18 PRESENTATIONS PROVIDED TO VOLUNTEERS OF THE ORGANIZATION TO BETTER PREPARE THEM FOR SUPPORTING PATIENTS ON SERVICES. TOPICS RANGED FROM CHILDREN'S BEREAVEMENT, WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN DYING, HONORING VETERANS: SUICIDE PREVENTION, ANXIETY, HOLIDAY TRADITIONS, AND MANY OTHERS. - HANDMADE GOODS: (QUILTS, BLANKETS, FIDGET SQUARES, DINNER SCARVES, CHEMO CAPS) - ESTABLISHED VET TO VET PROGRAM - VOLUNTEER VETERANS VISITING WITH VETERANS RECEIVING HOSPICE CARE. - ACHIEVED LEVEL III, WORKING ON REACHING LEVEL IV OF THE NATIONAL HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARES'S "WE HONOR VETERANS" PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM SEEKS TO SUPPORT VETERANS AT THE END OF LIFE, ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR SERVICE, AND CONNECT THEM TO THE VA TO ACCESS BENEFITS. THE PROGRAM WAS EXPANDED TO PALLIATIVE CARE AND HOME CARE PATIENTS IN AN EFFORT TO HELP VETERANS CONNECT TO ENTITLED SERVICES THROUGH THE VA PRIOR TO END OF LIFE. - CHILDREN'S BEREAVEMENT - CAMP ALL YEAR SUPPORTED 116 GRIEVING YOUTH IN THE REGION WITH 3 CARE PACKAGES. EACH CARE PACKAGE PROVIDED INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY BASED ACTIVITIES TO HONOR THE LEGACY OF THE THEIR LOVED ONE AND CREATE MEANINGFUL MOMENTS OF CONNECTION. - PRODUCED VIDEOS SUPPORTING CHILDREN'S GRIEF FOR ACCESS BY FAMILIES REMOTELY WHO WERE UNABLE TO ATTEND OTHER PROGRAMMING. - COMMUNITY BEREAVEMENT PROGRAM: ESTABLISHED IN 2021 FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE NOT ON SERVICE WITH PENN MEDICINE HOSPICE BUT EXPERIENCED A LOSS AND NEEDED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT. PROGRAM HAS A DEDICATED COUNSELOR, PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE UP TO 3 ONE ON ONE COUNSELING SERVICES, SUPPORTIVE EFFORT TO CONNECT PARTICIPANTS TO ADDITIONAL COUNSELING SERVICES FOLLOWING INTERVENTIONS IF DESIRED BY PARTICIPANT. PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE ROUTINE MAILINGS WITH COPING STRATEGIES FOLLOWING LOSS, ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN WEEKLY GROUP SESSIONS, WORKSHOPS, AND MEMORIAL SERVICES. - THE DAVID BRADLEY CHILDREN'S BEREAVEMENT PROGRAM IS A VALUABLE AND UNIQUE COMMUNITY RESOURCE AVAILABLE TO CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN AND TEENS AT NO COST TO THE FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM'S LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR PROVIDES CONSULTATIVE SERVICES FOR THE CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE A LOVED ONE WITH A TERMINAL ILLNESS OR HAVE EXPERIENCED A DEATH OF THEIR LOVED ONE. PART OF THE MISSION OF THE DAVID BRADLEY CHILDREN'S BEREAVEMENT PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO ENCOURAGE DISCUSSION AND PROVIDE METHODS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS TO UNDERSTAND THEIR EMOTIONS. THIS YEAR WE ENHANCED OUR WEBSITE TO INCLUDE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS FOR CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONAL READINGS. -COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT GRIEF AND LOSS WERE OFFERED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO THE COMMUNITY FREE OF CHARGE. SPECIAL PROGRAMS WERE OFFERED DURING DIFFICULT HOLIDAYS -SUPPORTING GRIEVING CHILDREN AND ADULTS DURING THE HOLIDAYS. -THIS YEAR WE EXPANDED OUR OFFERINGS FOR GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS TO INCLUDE: - SPOUSAL LOSS- A YOUNG ADULT CREATIVE ARTS GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP, AS WELL AS A GROUP FOR THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE LOSS OF A PARTNER. -VIRTUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE: OFFERED OVER A YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND EXTENDED TO HOSPICE, HOMECARE, PALLIATIVE CARE, HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOME FACILITIES. THE MEMORIAL SERVICE PROGRAM WILL REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING THROUGHOUT 2022. WE ALSO OFFERED A VIRTUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS WHERE THE CHILDREN CREATED A MEMORIAL OBJECT FOR THEIR LOVED ONE AND PARTICIPATED IN A CANDLE LIGHTING RITUAL. -PROVIDED BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT FOR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS - MAINTAINED THE ELDERPAC PROGRAM IN COLLABORATION WITH RALSTON HOUSE, WHICH IS A PROGRAM FOR THE FRAIL ELDERLY CONCENTRATED IN WEST PHILADELPHIA -SUPPORTED CHESTER COUNTY CHALLENGE BIKE RIDE, ANGEL TREE CEREMONY AND DILWORTHTOWN WINE FESTIVAL ALL THROUGH VIRTUAL EVENTS THIS PAST YEAR. -EXPANDED VOLUNTEER SERVICES TO PATIENTS IN THEIR HOMES INCLUDING CELEBRATORY CAKES, ASSISTANCE WITH GARDENING, PLANTS PROVIDED, HOMEMADE MASKS TO PROTECT FAMILIES. -COLLABORATED WITH LOCAL RESTAURANT IN A DASH AND DELIVER PROGRAM TO SUPPORT PATIENTS AND FAMILIES PENN MEDICINE CARES GRANT: IN COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA HEALTH SYSTEM, WISSAHICKON HOSPICE AWARDS PENN MEDICINE CARES GRANTS TO COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS ON BEHALF OF EMPLOYEES WHO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME AND EFFORT AT THE INITIATIVES. BY FUNDING THESE PROGRAMS, PENN MEDICINE HELPED SUPPLY HEALTH SERVICES, FOOD, MEDICINE, CLOTHING, AND PLACES TO LIVE FOR THOUSANDS OF UNDERSERVED IN THE REGION EVERY YEAR. SINCE THE FIRST ROUND OF RECIPIENTS WAS ANNOUNCED IN JANUARY 2012 AND TO THE END OF FY22, PENN MEDICINE HAS SUPPORTED 880 SERVICE PROJECTS WITH OVER $880,000 IN FUNDING. FOLLOWING PLEASE FIND WISSAHICKON HOSPICE EMPLOYEES WHO RECEIVED THE CARES GRANT FOR FY22: -MOMS LIKE ME, TAWANDAA AUSTIN: FOUR YEARS AGO, COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER TAWANDAA AUSTIN FOUNDED MOMS LIKE ME, WHICH SUPPORTS PHILADELPHIA FAMILIES LED BY WORKING WOMEN. MANY WORKING-CLASS MOTHERS STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET, AND MOST DO NOT QUALIFY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE. IN ADDITION, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS INCREASED THE DIFFICULTIES FOR MOTHERS WHO ARE SICK AND UNABLE TO WORK. TAWANDAA'S GRANT HELPS CONTINUE THE MOMS LIKE ME MISSION, HELPING MOTHERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH FOOD COSTS AND EXPENSES SUCH AS GAS, TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM WORK, AND ELECTRICITY BILLS. -FATHER CENTER OF NEW JERSEY, LEAH BANKS: NURSE LEAH BANKS VOLUNTEERS WITH THE FATHER CENTER OF NEW JERSEY, WHICH OFFERS EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC RESOURCES FOR FATHERS TO HELP THEM BE A POSITIVE PRESENCE IN THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT UNRESOLVED CHILDHOOD TRAUMA CAN LEAD TO UNSAFE BEHAVIORS AND CHRONIC ILLNESSES. SEEKING TO HELP ADDRESS THE DISPARITY IN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY, LEAH WILL DIRECT HER FUNDING TO LICENSED THERAPISTS WHO OFFER STAFF WELLNESS TRAININGS AND SMALL GROUP SESSIONS WITH THEIR CLIENTS -- BOTH WITH A TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH. -LEAP FOR COATESVILLE, ABIGAIL MCNEIL: ABIGAIL MCNEIL'S GRANT SUPPORTS THE ANNUAL LEADERSHIP AND EMPOWERMENT FOR ACCESS TO PROGRAMS (LEAP) EVENT FOR COATESVILLE, PA, WHICH INCLUDED THE FIRST COATESVILLE COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT RUN LAST YEAR. ABIGAIL IS THE CURRENT PRESIDENT FOR THE MINORITY NURSE EDUCATORS OF CHESTER COUNTY, A NEW PARTNER FOR LEAP, AND THEY'LL BE ORGANIZING A HEALTH FAIR COMPONENT FOR LEAP THIS YEAR. THE COLLABORATION SEEKS TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF MINORITY HEALTH ISSUES AND ACCESS TO PROGRAMS, WITH A COMPREHENSIVE FOCUS ON HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE CHANGES. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING T-SHIRTS AND REFRESHMENTS, THIS YEAR'S EVENT WILL ALSO HAVE HEALTH CARE GIVEAWAYS AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS. -THE CARING CUPBOARD, CARLA CHERRY: CARLA HAS BEEN VOLUNTEERING WITH THE CARING CUPBOARD IN PALMYRA, PA., FOR MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS. THE CARING CUPBOARD IS NOT ONLY A FOOD PANTRY, BUT IT ALSO OFFERS OTHER RESOURCES AND SUPPORT FOR THE 150 FAMILIES IT SERVES A WEEK- STRIVING TO IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING OF ITS COMMUNITY. THIS TIME, CARLA'S GRANT WILL ALLOW THE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE BABY SUPPLIES, INCLUDING DIAPERS, WIPES, AND DIAPER CREAM, TO THE FAMILIES WITH INFANTS AND TODDLERS WHO UTILIZE THE CARING CUPBOARD'S SERVICES. -THE MONKEY & THE ELEPHANT, ERIC TRUMBOWER: ERIC SERVES ON THE BOARD OF THE MONKEY & THE ELEPHANT, A CO