Blue Skies Hospice Hosts Spring Tea

On May 10th, Blue Skies Hospice held a "Spring Tea" at Hammond Whiting Care Center. The residents enjoyed homemade cookies and sipped tea from china tea cops. Each resident that attended was given a ceramic bird; a reminder that spring is here.

Not all residents pictured are Blue Skies Hospice patients

Blue Skies Sponsors "John Wayne Day"

On April 16th, Blue Skies Hospice sponsored "John Wayne Day" at Kindred Care in Dyer. The residents had a great afternoon watching the movie, "Mclintock", enjoying refreshments, and having their picture taken in our western picture booth.

Blue Skies staff and volunteers in the Western Picture Booth

A Kindred resident in the picture booth

New Essay in The Atlantic - How Not to Die

Jonathan Rauch writes an excellent and deeply personal essay about end-of-life care in America. He uses his own research, interviews with medical professionals, and the experience of watching his father die in a hospital to present a moving and thought-provoking call for better and more human end of life care that prioritizes "the conversation" between patients, doctors, and families, and considers the pain, comfort, and dignity of terminal patients; rather than coldly putting people through unnecessary and unhelpful batteries of tests and procedures.

The committed and compassionate staff at Blue Skies Hospice believes in treating pain, providing spiritual comfort to families, and preserving dignity as terminally ill patients go through the final stage.

One of the points that Rauch makes in his terrific piece is that patients and doctors should have more conversations about end of life treatment options, and that they should spend more time - as painful as it might be - preparing for the inevitable.

Blue Skies Hospice can help facilitate this process, and the staff will do so with the most urgent and profound concern for the patients and their families.

Free Community Progran on Health Care Decisions

On Tuesday, April 16th, Blue Skies Hospice will sponsor and host a free community program on health care decisions and creating your power of attorney for health care.

Why is it important that you attend?

Ask yourself:

If you became seriously ill, what kind of care would you want?
Who would follow your instructions and ensure you get the care you need?

If you are caring for someone with declining health, do you know what kind of care they will need in the future? Do you know what their wishes are?
Do you know where to seek additional support services for your loved one and for yourself?

Speakers include local attorney James R. Oates and health care consultant, Susan Schwartz, R.N..

The event takes place on April 16th, from 2-4pm, at the Hammond Public Library on 564 State Street.

Report on Benefits of Hospice

A news broadcast in Colorado Springs, CO consulted local experts to give viewers a report recommending hospice. The report is short, but raised many important points about why hospice is a helpful service for patients and their families.

St. Catherine Hospital's Heart Health Fair

Blue Skies Hospice participated at the Heart Health Fair on February 23rd at St. Catherine's Hospital in East Chicago, Indiana.

Volunteer Director Pearl Masciotra and Rose Montemayor, LPN at the Heart Health Fair

Share The Love Luncheon

Blue Skies Director Lisa Guzman and Volunteer Coordinator Pearl Masciotra attended the Friends of the Cancer Resource Center's sixth annual Share The Love Luncheon on February 13th. This year's speaker was ABC Chicago affiliate anchor Roz Varon. Proceeds from the luncheon benefited the Cancer Resource Center in Munster, Indiana.

Blue Skies Hospice Director Lisa Guzman and Volunteer Coordinator Pearl Masciotra at the Share The Love Luncheon