Hospice of the Calumet Area recognized with Hospice Honors Elite
For the second consecutive year in a row, Hospice of the Calumet Area has garnered the highest recognition for excellence in patient and family care. Since HEALTHCAREfirst’s inception in 2015, HCA has received Hospice Honors every single year. In 2019 and now 20120, HCA is recognized with Hospice Elite status. Hospice Elite is provided to organizations with a perfect 24 out of 24 quality measures score, conducted by patient caregivers. “We often hear about excellence in the words of gratitude from our patient’s family members,” said Adrianne May, Hospice of the Calumet Area CEO. “Families send us countless thank you letters. Excellence is reflected in every aspect of our organization and in our Cherishing Life philosophy.”
We Honor Veterans Elevates Hospice of the Calumet Area to Level 4
(Alexandria, VA) – We Honor Veterans, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, has honored Hospice of the Calumet Area with the distinguished Level 4 Honor for their commitment to veterans. We Honor Veterans is a national campaign conducted in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs to engage and support community hospice providers in better understanding and addressing Veterans’ needs at the end of life. Hospice of the Calumet Area conducts pinning and certificate ceremonies for veterans, built a strong veteran volunteer base, partnered with veteran agencies and has hosted Veteran chats.
Hospice of the Calumet Area Offers Grief Support for Kids, Teens, and Adults
Hospice of the Calumet Area Healing Hearts program provides counseling through a bereavement support group for teens who have experienced a loss of a loved one, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the death. People need to know that they are not alone at this most difficult time in their lives. Healing Hearts offers, at no cost, helpful information, support, and a comfortable atmosphere for sharing feelings and experiences, struggles and triumphs.
Topics include Getting to Know You and Your Loved One, Dealing with Feelings, Understanding My Feelings, Remembering, Coping with Change and Moving On.
For additional information and to register, please contact Sarah Ticich sticich@hospicecalumet.org by phone at 219.922.2732 or 708.895.8332.
​
Delta Theta Tau Sorority, Zeta Omega Chapter honors Hospice of the Calumet Area
[Front Row L to R] Sorority Sisters with Hospice of the Calumet Area representative, Janet Sikorski, Maria Diaz, Jenifer Okamura, Mary Seiber and Barb Bashman. [Back Row L to R] Maria Dedinsky, Nancy Almason, Jana Maric, Dorie Lakich and Millie Rodriguez.
Merrillville, August 22, 2016 – Hospice of the Calumet Area was one of the organizations recognized by the Delta Theta Tau Sorority, Zeta Omega Chapter at the Sorority’s 10th Annual Purse Auction and Luncheon held on Sunday, August 14, at Innsbrook Country Club in Merrillville. The event was attended by nearly 130 individuals who came out for a lively and fashionable event in support of Delta Theta Tau’s philanthropic endeavors. The event this year raised $9,000.
The Zeta Omega Chapter based out of Highland, Indiana, has planned and executed various fundraisers over the years with the goal of supporting worthy organizations or families in need. At the event, the Sorority presented Hospice of the Calumet Area with a contribution of $1,000 towards the support they provide to hospice patients and their families. “We think it is really important to contribute to this wonderful organization. One of our sorority sisters called upon Hospice of the Calumet Area to care for her mother. After her mother passed, she couldn’t say enough about the care her mother received, as well as the phone calls and comfort she received from the organization as a loved one,” explains Sorority member Maria Diaz.
Whether it is family in need who experienced a house fire, support for an individual with a terminal illness, or feeding the hungry, Delta Theta Tau is there to help. Through a special sisterhood, they come together to give back and make a difference in their Northwest Indiana community.
ABOUT HOSPICE OF THE CALUMET AREA
For 35 years, Hospice of the Calumet Area has provided expert care to individuals and families living in Northwest Indiana and neighboring Illinois communities. A not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life through compassionate care for individuals and families facing a life-limiting illness, Hospice of the Calumet Area cherishes life without regard to age, gender, nationality, race, creed, sexual orientation, disability, diagnosis or financial status.
ABOUT DELTA THETA TAU, ZETA OMEGA CHAPTER
Delta Theta Tau is a national women’s organization founded in 1903 by five high school girls in Muncie, Indiana, for the advancement of philanthropy and the assistance of others. With 47 chapters throughout the United States, the Sorority is comprised of six divisions: National Council, Board of Trustees, Provinces, Chapters, Alumnae Associations, and Members-At-Large. The Zeta Omega Chapter is based out of Highland, Indiana, with members from surrounding Lake County towns. Delta Theta Tau is an important part of its members’ lives, offering an opportunity to better the communities where they live, as well as provide lasting friendships and a spirit of true sisterhood among its members.
Hospice of the Calumet Area Powered by the Strength of its Community
HCA Canine Companion, Zach, sits with Stan Peters, providing comfort at his wife, Cindy’s funeral service.
Founded in 1981, Hospice of the Calumet Area started as a grassroots volunteer effort. Since then, our volunteer tradition continues with a strong corps that works in every aspect of the organization. In our 35 years of operation we have cared for over 17,500 individuals in their homes through Hospice and our free Transitions™ program, as well as 3,900 patients at the William J. Riley Memorial Residence. Volunteers have been with us every step of the way!
Last year alone we had 446 volunteers working on our behalf: 130 active Hospice and Transitions™ volunteers, 209 Friends of Hospice members, 75 Hospice Artisans, 30 Board Members, and two Caring Canines. Men and women, young and old, humans and dogs, they all make up a diverse team of remarkable volunteers who help us accomplish our mission. In 2015, our hospice program volunteer hours increased by 5.25% for total hours of 13,067 and a cost savings of $301,450! One of our most beloved volunteer programs is Caring Canines. These incredible dogs, along with their handlers, provide invaluable companionship to patients who welcome the company of an animal. Stan and Cindy Peters enjoyed many years of companionship from their loving Golden Retrievers. They were happy to learn that Hospice of the Calumet Area offered a Canine Companion program when Cindy enrolled in Hospice care – and they were thrilled to find out the visiting canine would be Zach, a Golden Retriever!
Zach’s handler, Ginny, is a licensed Aesthetician as well as a trained Companion Volunteer. While Ginny gave Cindy a manicure, Stan and Zach would enjoy playtime. Each time Ginny called to confirm the weekly visit, Cindy would light up in anticipation. Stan explains, “Just petting Zach would cause Cindy to relax and smile; he brought her sunshine.” Together, Ginny and Zach provided much comfort and joy on their visits to Cindy and Stan.
But Ginny and Zach’s service didn’t end when Cindy passed. Ginny called Stan and offered to bring Zach to the funeral service. Stan was touched by this offer and obtained the funeral home’s permission. For the entire service, Zach laid on the floor next to Stan’s seat. At one point, Stan extended his hand down toward the dog, and Zach put his paw in Stan’s hand. Stan says he knew it was a sign. As Stan addressed the family and friends who had come to pay their respects and say their goodbyes to his love, he let them all know that Zach had served as Cindy’s loyal therapy dog. But on that day, Zach was there for Stan.
Every bit of the 13,607 hours of volunteer work provided is valuable. No matter what task a volunteer may undertake on our behalf, it is part of the whole that leads to our success . . . and our success means improving the quality of life for the individuals and families in our care, our community.
Lydia Dershewitz named Munster Rotary Woman of the Year for 2012
Lydia Dershewitz came to NW Indiana 13 years ago from Boston, MA. Since then she embraced her community and has been an inspiration to Munster, IN with all of her volunteer work at Hospice of the Calumet Area.