Steven “Spinner” O’Donnell was the type of person that brought people together. He was a passionate friend, uncle, and sibling. He was also a very passionate golfer.

Growing up, Steven was the youngest of seven siblings (two girls and five boys). He grew up in Eastwood, NY where he was a life-long member of Wanoa Golf Course.

Golf was a passion of Steven’s. His brother Mike recalls that when Steven was first diagnosed, one of the first things he asked was, “Can I still play golf?” Golf kept him going. During his illness, Steven would rest all weekend long so he could play in his golf league on Mondays. It took a toll on him, but as his brother Mike said, it’s what made him happiest.

Upon Steven’s passing, his friends and family wanted to honor him and his memory, and thought what better way to do that than hosting a golf tournament in his name. They held their first-ever tournament at Wanoa Golf Course on Saturday, June 11th. The event was sold out and was a huge success – not just monetarily – but it was filled with love, friendship, stories, and memories of Steven. They even gave away a commemorative poker chip with an outline of a photo that they felt perfectly represented Steven.

Stevens’ brother Mike thought they were ready for his passing, but when they day came, they weren’t. Steven had been living with Mike and his wife, but it still didn’t make saying goodbye to their loved one any easier. Mike fondly remembers the two Hospice nurses who came and stayed the whole time with them and Steven until his passing. Steven was sick for 32 months with cancer. He passed at the young age of 56 and left behind many mourning friends and relatives.

Thanks to Mike and Steven’s family and friends, an $8,000 donation was made to Hospice in memory of Steven from the 1st Annual Steven “Spinner” O’Donnell Memorial Open.

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Certain things make it easier for Hospice patients and families during a very trying time. The items listed below are those such items that can really make a difference.

If you would like to assist our patients with a donation, items must be new, as we cannot accept used items. Our Amazon Wish List is at www.hospicecny.org/hospice-wish-list/. If you have any questions, please call us at (315) 634-1100.

*Wash basins (like dish pans)

Body wash & lotions Non-skid slipper socks

*Gas AND Grocery gift cards

*No-Rinse shampoo caps (with conditioner)

Boppy pillows (like those used with breastfeeding)

Kitty Litter (can be generic kind)

Lysol Disinfectant Spray/Wipes

Medication lock boxes (not clear or see-through)

Expo dry-erase markers

Small electric fans

XL twin sheets (dark colors)

Twin blankets (washable – lightweight preferred)

Inflatable hair washing basin

Bed alarm sensor pads (pad-type that lays under sheet)

*Pill crushers

(Items with an asterisk are ones we have an immediate need for)

Why Does Hospice Need THAT???

Many of the items on our Wish List fulfill an obvious need. Others, however, require a little explanation.

Why do you need kitty litter?

Many people don’t want medications left in their home, and Hospice cannot accept them. For safe disposal, most medications should be combined with kitty litter or coffee grounds, put in a closed container and disposed of in the garbage. This prevents medications from being available to those who might abuse them, keeps them out of the waterways, and away from pets who may accidentally ingest them.

Why would you need Boppy pillows?

Boppy pillows are helpful in alleviating pressure for people who are in bed. They can be positioned under the arms, legs, heel, etc., and can prevent pressure ulcers and joint strain.

If you would like to assist our patients with a donation, items must be new, as we cannot accept used items. Our Amazon Wish List is at www.hospicecny.org/hospice-wish-list/. If you have any questions, please call us at (315) 634-1100.

To read the complete Fall Newsletter, please click here.

Here at Hospice, we have a variety of people in an assortment of positions that play a key role in the care of our patients. In this article, we get to know one of our nurses, Brendan, and what it’s like to be a Hospice Nurse.

BRENDAN

How and why did you become a Hospice nurse?

I have been long familiar with the mission of Hospice of Central New York and of the Finger Lakes throughout my career, primarily through interactions with Hospice nurses during my career spent as a Paramedic in the area. I have dealt with death from first-hand experiences for about 20 years, most of which were very sudden and tragic circumstances. A few years ago, I decided to go back to school and get an education in nursing, from there I was in the emergency room setting for the most part. It was during a conversation with a long-time friend a little over a year ago who was working with Hospice at the time that sparked my interest. I have forever cherished the ability to be there during times of loss to provide guidance and support. It felt right to combine my experiences with nursing and death and bring those experiences to help guide patients, and families, as they navigate the care and decisions toward their final moment of rest.

 What makes a Hospice Nurse different from other professional nurses?

Hospice is a very special and unique field that is very different than many other areas of nursing. It is natural as a healthcare professional to try to “fix” things, however, we all know not all things can be repaired. The entire team at Hospice, including the nurses, turn their focus and ensure the patient and their families are provided guidance throughout the death and dying process. Hospice Nurses combine both medical experience and a special level of empathy to provide the most compassionate care during this stage in life.

What have you learned from your experience as a Hospice nurse?

I have learned an invaluable amount of empathy and compassion as a Hospice nurse. I have met folks from every walk of life, witnessed different traditions at the time of death, and been invited to be part of some very sacred moments with patients and their families. It has been an honor to learn from each of our patient’s stories and gain a lesson in life from each. We all travel different pathways with unique twists and turns, I am so honored to hear so many individual stories and be part of one of those journeys. I learn every day how I can better support our patients and their symptoms.

What would you like families to know about Hospice services?

Hospice of CNY and of the Finger Lakes is an entire team effort including our Nurses, Aides, Volunteers, Clergy, Social Workers, Administrative and Support Staff, along with our most important caregivers, the families. Our services do not end at the final resting moment with our patients. We have an abundance of support staff in our Grief Center who are only a phone call away. We all work together to ensure your loved ones and your needs are met to the best of our abilities. Please do not hesitate to call for support as we have staff available 24/7/365.

Hospice is currently recruiting for Nursing staff. Available positions can be viewed on our website at https://www.hospicecny.org/careers/. Should you be interested in joining our team, please call our Human Resources office at 315-634-1100.

To read the complete Fall Newsletter, please click here.

Here at Hospice, we have a variety of people in an assortment of positions that play a key role in the care of our patients. In this article, we get to know one of our nurses, Tatyana, and what it’s like to be a Hospice Nurse.

TATYANA

How and why did you become a Hospice nurse?

I became a Hospice Nurse because I wanted to find my purpose. Prior to Hospice, I was working at the hospital and I didn’t feel like I had time to get to know my patients and make a difference. My grandma passed away when I was younger. So, I treat every patient I work with like family. It is an honor to take care of someone, but an even greater honor to care for someone at the most vulnerable time of their life. A small gesture goes a long way. I finally found my purpose and that is with Hospice.

 What makes a Hospice Nurse different from other professional nurses?

I think Hospice nurses are unique because we work with patients in their homes, which is a more intimate setting than the hospital. A place where they are comfortable–in their own home – where our goal is not more treatment, but to comfort them on their journey.

 What have you learned from your experience as a Hospice Nurse?

I can say full-heartedly that I have learned more as a Hospice Nurse than I did anywhere else. I have learned to be observant, compassionate, and how to be a good listener. I have also learned to cherish and appreciate life because it can be so short.

 What would you like families to know about Hospice services?

I think if any message can be given to our families, it is that we are here on this journey with you. It takes a village and you are never alone.

Hospice is currently recruiting for Nursing staff. Available positions can be viewed on our website at https://www.hospicecny.org/careers/. Should you be interested in joining our team, please call our Human Resources office at 315-634-1100.

To read the complete Fall Newsletter, please click here.

Hospice is care designed for patients with a life-limiting illness provided by Hospice professionals who are trained to assist patients in living their lives, fully, completely, and without pain until the end of their lives. To fully benefit from our expert care and services – unlike anything available in our community – we encourage inquiry sooner than later.

Hospice is part of a continuum of care. Our special kind of service creates a relationship that fosters trust, comfort, and guidance so that the patient becomes an active, informed participant in their end-of-life decisions. Hand in hand, we assist with creating advance directives, understanding difficult choices, and creating a pathway for the patient to experience the fullest possible reward with the time remaining. This active development of trust and understanding extends to patient family members, who play their own roles at this stage of care, to help them navigate, understand, and embrace the process of end-of-life care.

We are here and ready to help but can only step in based on available staff and timing. We want to serve everyone who needs us in the way the Hospice concept is designed. Nine out of 10 adults would prefer to be cared for at home rather than in a hospital or nursing home if diagnosed with a terminal illness. Addressing the whole range of physical and psychological needs of the patient and his or her family in an interdisciplinary way is what makes hospice care so special.

We are here to be consistent support. Don’t miss out on benefitting from this care by not calling sooner.

To read the complete Fall Newsletter, please click here.

Here at Hospice one of the most anticipated pieces to any one of our fundraising events are the raffles and the silent auctions that provide participants a chance to win some valuable items. Soliciting and securing donated items, however, is no easy feat. It takes time, effort, and having a thick skin when hearing “no” more often than not. That word never stops our incredible volunteers’ efforts. Below we will hear from three of our dedicated event volunteers who work tirelessly throughout the year to help make these auctions and raffles happen.

Ev Griffith

Ev has been a dedicated Hospice volunteer for over 22 years. He started his volunteer efforts with us a long time ago with both our golf and bowling tournaments, serving as an event chair for each. His role has evolved over the years and he is now securing donations to be used for raffles and silent auctions at our Annual Bowling Tournament and Celebrating Life Through Chocolate events. Ev also volunteers his time in person at these events. When asked if he likes going out and getting donations he said, “Yes, but you have to be willing to hear no and to not take it personally.” Another thing Ev enjoys is to have the opportunity to talk to donors and hear their personal experiences with Hospice. He has even found himself educating donors on Hospice and what we do for our community. When asked why he continues to do what he does for Hospice, he reflects, “I think it’s a worthwhile thing to do for the organization. I love the organization and the people who comprise it and anything I can do to support that effort, I will.”  

John O’Neill

If you’ve been to a Hospice Golf Open in recent years, chances are you’ve dropped a ticket or two in a raffle bag to win one of our excellent prizes. Those prizes have been sought out by the wonderful John O’Neill, who has been volunteering with Hospice for just over eight years. When asked why he began volunteering for Hospice, he stated, “They were instrumental during my wife’s passing.” John says he loves to volunteer as it’s a great way to give back to those who have helped his family. John first began pursuing financial donations and sponsorships for the golf tournament but soon discovered that with his many and varied community connections, securing in-kind donations for the raffle was a better fit for him. Not even the COVID pandemic could hamper John’s efforts. When one door closes, he knocks on new ones and has continued to be successful in his pursuits. When asked if he was comfortable with being included in our newsletter for everyone to read about him, his response was, “If I can tap them into donating something to Hospice, then sure.”

Jackie Barnes

For the past eight years, Jackie Barnes has been instrumental in helping to secure items for our silent auction at our Annual September Song event and most recently for our Annual Movie Night. Jackie first found herself volunteering for Hospice when her granddaughter, a former Hospice employee, suggested she use her free time from retirement toward helping out at Hospice. Jackie’s daughter still works for Hospice as our Director of Patient & Family Services, so she feels an extra close tie to what she’s doing and why.

When asked why she likes to solicit donations she said, “I like to meet people and hear the stories of their experiences with Hospice. I also love a good challenge, and each year I try to do better than the last.” She did say that the COVID pandemic did hinder her efforts when it came to securing restaurant gift cards, but just like Ev and John, she made new connections with brand new donors. When asked what her family thinks of her volunteer work for Hospice she said, “Often times when I’m driving around with my husband Donald, he will see me writing down a name of a new business to reach out to. I think he likes to see me challenging myself and he even goes with me now on pick-ups.”

We truly couldn’t do what we do here at Hospice without these volunteers and the many others that come through our doors. We are grateful to each and every one of them!

To read the complete Fall Newsletter, please click here.

Our Solace Garden, located on the grounds at Hospice of Central New York and Hospice of the Finger Lakes’ Liverpool office, provides hospice family and friends, and our community, an opportunity to remember or honor a loved one or a hospice staff member.

The garden consists of beautiful annual and perennial flowering plants as well as green foliage to provide a background of peace to all who pause for a moment to reflect.

Thanks to our families, friends, and community, we recently added another pathway of bricks to our garden along with new plants.

The Solace Garden is available to visit year-round.

For information about purchasing an engraved brick, please call 315-634-1100.

To read the complete Fall Newsletter, please click here.

Dying is hard. For a person who judges her life on the basis of how productive each day is, the process of slowing down and not being able to accomplish even the basic tasks of daily living is crushing. Mary spent her entire life in service of others. Even in rare moments of relaxing to watch a television program, it was done while knitting or sewing for someone in need.

Although Mary’s illness robbed her of her sharp memory, intellect, and communication skills, she still made great efforts to volunteer to help others to benefit from the Bible. As the additional ravages of cancer layered on, the deepening limitations in that area were a source of great frustration. She continually expressed feelings of worthlessness as she required more care and could give less.

Enter Hospice of CNY and of the Finger Lakes. Mary’s assigned Hospice care team, Julie and Lori, immediately saw a need to help provide purpose for Mary. Discussion of how a supply of rice heating bags was needed for other patients provided a motivation to keep trying. Muscle memory bypassed mental limits and sewing ensued. When a larger supply of material came in next, there was a spark of the old Mary; more confident in her ability and happy to turn castoffs into something useful, as she expanded into creating “dining scarves.”

Mary held on tightly to the fulfillment of a prophecy in the book of Isaiah that promises a time when no one will be sick. She and her family sincerely appreciated the care, compassion, and practical assistance received from the wonderful team at Hospice.

To read the complete Fall Newsletter, please click here.