Laughter as computer links Betty and her grandchildren

Betty Keeton raised her family in Dayton.  Her two daughters and son were lively youngsters, and Betty can remember singing in the choir and seeing her young son crawling under the pews of the church.  She laughs now as she shares that he is now a pastor himself, living in New Jersey.  Betty’s two daughters have also moved away, to Florida and Tennessee.  Betty, now in failing health, has remained in Dayton where she receives so much support from church friends who have become like family.   While she enjoys a steady stream of visitors, she surrounds herself with images of her offspring, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in her room at The Sanctuary.

It’s Friday morning and Betty is looking forward to visiting with her granddaughter and two great-grandchildren.  Betty is in Ohio while they are in Virginia.  Betty has never seen these great-grandchildren in the flesh, but thanks to technology and Hospice of Dayton volunteer Lee Seoh, this Grandmother and granddaughter enjoy regular family visits.   Lee supervises the computer Skype connection enabling Betty and her great-grandchildren to share some quality time together, seeing each other and catching up to date.    At the sound of her grandson Gavin’s voice, Betty’s face lights up and she is amazed to see how much he has grown since their last Skype visit.  Granddaughter Kristie holds up the baby, Kylie, to show off her “chunky, soccer thighs” to Betty, who beams. 

Kristie shares updates on family vacation plans, 4-year old Gavin’s obsession with the movie “Cars,” and the possibility of a new assignment for her husband, Jeff, who is in the Navy.  Then she asks “how are you feeling?  Are you doing what you’re supposed to be doing to feel better, Grandma?”

 “Kind of,” Betty replies, laughing.  “I’m feeling like when you’re turning 80 you should be able to do whatever you want to do.”  Kristie laughs and agrees, finding no argument to counter her Grandmother’s logic.

Betty relishes these visits, grinning from ear to ear at the antics of the children who are happy to show off for Great-Grandma even if she is thousands of miles away.  The sound of children’s laughter, the joys of every day conversation, the connections of generations serve to sustain us all, even when those connections come by way of computer screen.

by Chaplain Eric Holley

This story is about two men who found each other through their acts of service, one for his country the other for his fellow man.

In the 1960′s David joined the U.S. Marines Corps while I, as a first grader,  answered a questionnaire indicating I wanted to be a minister. In September of  2011 our individual walks brought us together as we met at the Dayton International Airport to board a flight to Washington D.C. together.  We were part of the Honor Flight, which enables veterans to visit Washington D.C. monuments honoring their service.  On that early Friday morning we boarded, David was the only Vietnam veteran among 34 former soldiers. I was serving as a hospice chaplain and escort on the trip.  David was decked out in his Marine Corps shirt and hat, and was presented an Honor Flight T-shirt to wear for the day. David had never been to D.C., much less viewed the memorials.  He expressed mixed emotions about seeing the wall for the first time. I assured David I would be with him the whole way.

Our plane touched down at the Baltimore Airport and we boarded a bus to D.C.  Our first stop was the WW II memorial where David had his picture taken by the Ohio name plate. We took several photos of inscriptions on walls & decorations at the memorial. I took a break and when I looked around David had stepped out of his wheelchair and crossed two streets in an effort to get closer to the Jefferson Memorial. He laughed uncontrollably when I caught up with him & threatened to put him on a leash. We boarded the bus and traveled to the Iwo Jima memorial. This Marine swelled with pride as he stood beside the Marine Corps insignia as I took several photos of him with the memorial in the background. We then boarded the bus & drove to the Air Force memorial for lunch. We stood at the memorial in awe, looking at our nation’s capital and for the first time seeing sites we had previously only seen on T.V.  Just then I saw my Marine looking off to the left at a portion of the National Cemetery. This happened to be the section where several African American soldiers were buried in unmarked graves. David knew the story and shared it with me. The sadness in his eyes and the look of betrayal by his own country was nearly too much to bear.

We then boarded the bus and made our way to the Vietnam Memorial.  Anxiety had reached its apex in David’s mind by this time and everyone else on the bus shared the sense that “This is his memorial.”  We exited the bus and David sat in his wheelchair.  A nurse accompanied us to capture the visit on camera. Our first stop was a station containing what appeared to be a combined phone-book of L.A. & New York city when in fact it was an alphabetical list of those who sacrificed their all for their country. Tears began to fall as we looked for David’s friend, but could not find him because nick-names are not recorded. We turned and walked to the entrance where three soldiers in jungle gear were immortalized. I snapped a shot of David in front of the three statues and had he been dressed in his jungle gear he could have been the fourth man in the memorial.  Then we headed for “The Wall.”

 As we approached the ramp leading down to the wall on our left David softly said, “Oh my God!” This was it, David’s first time at the wall viewing the names of his fallen brothers.  A flood of emotions overwhelmed him. David began to cry so I placed my hands on his shoulders & encouraged him saying, “You’re doing great Marine. You’re doing great.” As we approached the half way point David asked me to stop. He stood himself up unassisted, placed his left hand on the wall and wept. I was overwhelmed as I watched this weakened man have an unparalleled experience standing on his own, unassisted, connecting emotionally & spiritually with the some of the soldiers he served with some 40 years ago. I was focused on being with David in several ways & then I noticed many others were with David as well. The sound of camera clicks & flashes were heard all around him.

David sat down in his wheelchair & said, “I’m ready” and we began making our way up the ramp of the east wall.  We were nearly at the end when a man & his wife stopped us. The man reached out his right hand to David and said, “Welcome home Marine, welcome home.” The man’s wife knelt down in front of David looking him in the eyes & said, “Thank you for all you’ve done for this country.” 

Upon exiting the plane on our return flight to Dayton we were greeted by a line of active Air Force men & women in uniform welcoming us home.  An atmosphere of humility settled on each veteran & many of them became a puddle of tears as they were overwhelmed with the crowd of well wishers congratulating them & thanking them. Several people sought out David as if they knew he was the only Vietnam vet & lavished their appreciation on him. A local ROTC unit was standing at attention holding the flags of the United States, the State of Ohio, & the Marine Corps & just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, an announcement came over the sound system indicating the colors will now be presented as we recite the pledge of allegiance. I watched men who had previously been unable to walk force themselves to stand, place their hands over their hearts, & with pride & through tears say, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty & justice for all.” No more could be said to describe the pride & humility present simultaneously.

 I couldn’t seem to stop myself from asking David, “Was this a good trip for you or did it stir up too many hurtful memories?” Without hesitation David said, “Oh no! This was great. Seeing the memorials, having strangers thank me & welcome me home has brought me closure that I never had or ever thought I’d find. No, no, this was a trip I’ll never, ever forget.”

It was a trip I will never forget either.

 As Hospice of Dayton has grown to serve more patients than ever before, the organization is expanding its footprint to better serve the communities of the Miami Valley.   According to President/CEO Kent Anderson  “Our Community Care Stations create a more convenient and accessible point in the community for staff members who are serving patients.  Staff members can spend more time at the patient bedside because they are required to travel less. Providing easier access to all our services is in keeping with our mission to provide superior care and superior services to the patients and families we are privileged to serve.”

The new Community Care Station is located at 1137 West Third Street, Suite 200.  In addition to providing meeting and office space and supply storage for staff members, the site also has meeting space available for community use.  According to Anderson, “In addition to creating a more convenient and accessible location for staff members, the Community Care Stations also serve another important function for our mission.  They enable us to be present in the communities we serve by creating greater accessibility for our volunteer training, grief support programs and for community meetings.”

Hospice of Dayton began offering services in 1978, as the Miami Valley’s first not-for-profit hospice care provider.  Currently Hospice of Dayton serves over 4,000 patients annually and employs nearly 700 staff members.  Patients are provided care in their own homes, in extended care and assisted living facilities, area hospitals and in two Hospice Houses.  Over 600 volunteers support patient care efforts in an eight county service area.

Hospice volunteers are valuable members of a Quality of Life team serving hospice patients and their families.   Hospice volunteers perform a wide range of duties including support for patients and families by providing companionship, respite care, shopping, delivery of medications and supplies, pet therapy, massage, beautician and barber services, and gardening.  The serve as educators about hospice services in the community, create Memory Bears for loved ones, participate in honoring hospice patients who are veterans  and create Life Celebration videos.  Volunteers also provide clerical and office support, serve as receptionists, assist with fundraising events, data entry and serve as Ambassadors helping families whose loved ones are receiving in-patient care at Hospice of Dayton Hospice House and Lorelei’s Place, the Hospice House serving Hospice of Butler & Warren Counties.

“We have volunteers from every walk of life,” Volunteer Services Director Miriam Morrison explains.  “Volunteers in hospice find it personally gratifying, intellectually stimulating, and emotionally meaningful.  The common denominator is their desire to help others at a time of loss. Volunteers consistently report that helping the terminally ill through hospice is not about dying but about living.  Most are just people who want to help their friends and neighbors and serve the community.”

Volunteers with Hospice of Dayton and Hospice of Butler & Warren Counties participate in a required orientation, TB testing, background check, and additional training for positions involving direct patient care and special positions. Training sessions are provided on a monthly basis so that people can attend at their convenience. 

Federal law requires that at least 5% of hospice patient care hours be provided by volunteers.  Volunteers provided 8.4% of the hours delivered in direct patient care in 2011 at Hospice of Dayton and Hospice of Butler & Warren Counties.

Hospice of Dayton and Hospice of Butler & Warren Counties thanks the following volunteers who make a difference in the lives of their friends and neighbors:

Belmont County:    Bellaire:  Kara Bobka

 Butler County

Franklin:  Marlene Artman, Gary Beiser, Paula Beiser, Kirk Hampton, Rich Hobbs, Gloria Osborne, Patricia Pursley

 Middletown:  Jody Akers, Rachelle Burg, Marvin Clark, Phyllis Clark, Debbie Ellis, Janice Kash, Jerry Gump, Barry Shafer, Mertha Patsy Bailey

 Monroe:  Joyce Wells

 Morrow: Carol Lamers, Dotty Rezabek, Sue Williams

 Trenton:  Marcia Halsy, Pat Wourms

 West Chester:   Jim Jennings

 Clark County

Springfield:  Jessica Clemons, Marsha Franklin, Darlene Powers, Stephanie Robinson, Wilma Southward, Geneva Zerkle

 Medway:  Patricia Prudhomme, Alice Kotte

 New Carlisle:  Sherrie Bair, Marcy Beatty-Gray, Lee Ann Chadrick, Ray Jones, Ken Masny-Bushman, Gwen Seely

 Clinton County:  Wilmington:  Fran Unger

Darke County:  Greenville: Hershel Fee

 Delaware County:   Ashley:  Haley Kreier

Greene County

Beavercreek: Teri Anderson, Kathy Brown, Thomas Brown, Sharon Carpenter, Arthur Casci, Patricia McWhirter, Robert Reifenberg, James Sauerbrey, Adam Altman, Rebecca Beesley, Jean Cochoy, Roxanne Copeland, Jonathan Corbett, Nicole Craker, Mai El Gasim, Ross Humes, Justine Kelly, Matt Kelly, Stephen Knox, Marie Landers, Omer McGlone, Vivian McGlone, Sarita Metzger, Ethel Northern, Carl Poling, Marilyn Raeth, Virgil Rehg, Lindsey Roberts, Lee Soeh, Bradley Slye, Brian Starr, Francis Swope, Ellen Whited, Jimmy Zimmerman, Louise Ashbaugh, Noel Ashbaugh, Debbie Barker, Cheryl Batchelor, Charles Hardwick, Kimberly Helton, Katherine Mashburn, Ann Bernice Sietman, Lu Ann Berry, Brian Dean, Evelyn Dunnigan, Steven Jennings, Carole Carson, Jennifer Miles Henrich, Becky Neufarth, Linda Parrott, Paul Rudolph, Wendy Campbell Julilation, Kecia Johnson, Denise Karmele, Jody McCurdy, Liz Shultz, David Bramlish, Kendra Kershner, Sharon Brandt, Dr. Ratna Palakodeti, Miriam “Bunny” Joseph

 Bellbrook:  Denise DeWitt, Kathy Hatton, Katherine Lagedrost, Teresa Marsee, Denise Noel, Conny Poole, Sandy Porter, Janet Richie, Mary Sparkman, Peter Odgers, Peggy Moore, Carol Roe, Judy Schrunk

 Cedarville:  James Gillispie

 Fairborn:  David Beam, Sonia Bennett, Patti Brueck, Ellen Brunson, Jane Clifton, Kimberly Code, Doug Daegele, Nicoletta Frankenstein, Willie Harrington, Jacob Hellickson, Augustine Hong, Audra Horomanski, Lee Long, Tom Narramore, Sarah Oros, Topaz Sampson, Chloe Sidney, Gregory Williams, Sharon Wilson, Connie Gover, Rosa Gover, John Gover, Judi Green, Darlene Herd, Vicky Lockhart, Pauline Micciche, Ann Pearson, Norman Pearson, JoAnne Powell, LaVerna Schiermeyer, Teresa Schiermeyer, Jim Soulati, Taylor Soulati, Wilma Soulati, Sally Vanzant

 Jamestown:  Helen Doane 

Spring Valley:  John Smith

Xenia:  Tom Mann, Tina Onder, Judy Lee, Karen Clary, Denise Siwecki,

Yellow Springs:  Joyce McDonald, Maria Schuermeyer, Jeffrey Zabinski

Logan County:    Huntsville: Jeanne Carlson

Miami County

Tipp City:  Julie Beam, Chad Cox, Richard Mosier, Helen Stacy

Troy:  Jean Dawson, Lisa Dawson

Union: Sylvan and Mary Jo Eller, Danny and Marilyn McPherson, Lynn Vannorsdall, Dan Mecoli

Montgomery County

Brookville:  Patrick Gavin, Shannon Gavin, Robert Patrus

Centerville:  Delana Aungst, Frances Bankston, Vicky  Bamesberger, Karen Cameron, Tony Ciramella, Shirley Coey, Alyssa Dizek, Nicole Ehret, Becki Eschbach, Pam Esken, Dr. John Farrell, Donald Faw, Edward Graham, Kristy Harmon, Amanda Hatfield, Richard Jeckering, Maureen Josenhans, Ajit Kapadia, Surekha Kapadia, Chris Kilian, Asha Mahembrey, Diane Morgann, Pamela Morris, Deborah Mosher, Jodi Omodio, Barbara Pfeifer, Thomas Rutherford, Ralla Shrit, Cheri Spencer, Cheryl Trumble, Kristy Bellin, Maan Broadstock,Howard Burger, Judith Cerar, Helen Cohen, Robert Cohen, Rick Cothern, Nora Coyle-Biersack, Elizabeth Craddick, Mary DeNaples, Pat Forster, Lisa Gadd, Mary Hailey, Molly Horstman, Bette Imhof, John Jessup, Terry MacPherson, June Mathewson, Jay Morrison, James Neidhard, Lynn Olive, Heila Owsley, Charlotte Pernik, Jan Rardon, Toni Sprinkel, Christi Wilson, Sandra Cline, Kristin Jumer, Cindy Majusick, Catherine Meixmer, Carly Meixner, Pat Otten, Darinda Reis, Betty Schultz, Lois Sutherland, Eileen Tribby,  Jane Robbins, Joyce Robke, Terry Rockwell, Larry Sabin, Rae Ann Sapp, Jack Schimer, Mattie Watkins, Anne Watson, Donald Weckstein,Charlie Whitaker,  John Wood, Natalie Young, Mary Zimmerman, Bob Zinck

 Clayton:  Linda Bany, Mollie Magee

Dayton:  Bernadine Lee, Sondra Landis, Annie Beall, Diane Fetterhoff, Shirley Hetzel, Donna Jackson, Kathleen Gall, Adam Gough, Sr. Cory Canon, Robert Corey, Florence Corey, Sylvia McBain, Barbara Rae, Brittany Bair, Lisa Pritchett, Barbara Zartman, Judi Law, Kelly Douple, Holly Douple, Cathe Mack-McGarry, Vicki Pegg, Elizabeth Terzian, Marilyn Ivory, Barb Blauman, Meg Doherty, Mary Louise Foley, Edward Meadow, Gary Pacernick, Matt Stoermer, Jack Whitmer, Sandy Zipperstein, Jack Choate, Susan Dyer, Steven Gehres, Thomas Klein, Patricia Norris, Mary Ellen Place, Mark Strickler, Cindy Back, Travis Back, Daribel Baker, Terrance Branner-Bullock, Melanie Graves, Barbara Runyon, Michael Runyon, Tracy Schaffner, Alice Ditto, Samantha Graham, Rae Voice, Hyla Weiskind, Brenda Cobbs-Allen, Sheila Smith-Rose, Marjorie Sawyer, Mable Seldon, Amatul Shafeek, Jennifer Bloom, Katherine Brown, Brooke Davis, Kay Dudding-Davis, Leslie DeMattie, Linda Doggett, Ayfer Ekiz, David Garrison, Judith Guenther-Adams, Maryann Horvath, Marian Hull, Carolyn Ireland, Kelly Kaletsky, Barbara Mengwasser, Susan Sundermeyer, Ellen Vanderburgh, Charles Douglas, Debbie Goldberg, Tom Hand, Caitlin Hensley, Joan Kline, Peggy Lakes, Jan Painter, John Stoudt, Ruby White, Rachel Cargle, Ann Cannon, Paulette Clement, Mallie England, Matthew Mangini, Verna Reese, April Ruffin, Tom Duncan, Lindsay Johnson, Thomas Mann, Marilyn Miller, Howard Michaels, Sandra Pierce, Richard Skelton, Denise Swick, Carol Sites, Dr. Gary LeRoy, Sean Vahldiek, Sylvia “Mary” Smith, Rachel Balaj, Tommy Balaj, Chuck Balaj, Carol Levitan, Patrick Miles, Claire Rodehaver, Jerry Tatar, Jillian Hazlett, Tracy Whited, Brenda Byrd, James Illich, Linda Shade, Fonda Lugabihl, Brenda Rex, Erik Smith, Rita Anspach, Emily Robillard, Kristen Wilson, Marissa D’Agostino, Chelcie Hinders, Betty Lewandowski, Paula MacIlwaine, Ryan Makkas, Jennifer Makkas, Caitlin Pearn, Burnell Roberts, John Roll, Pamela Stephens, Annie Craig, Bobbi Eaton, Gary Hartman, Robert “Chip” Mues, Kathy Newton, Barbara Smith, Constance Hilscher, Timothy Cox, Scarlett Wallace, Robert Brethen, James Schade, Kathy Conn, Dick Dyer, Robert Yeck, Sharon Howley, Dan Yahn, Vera Haire, Lisa Witt, Laura Schuld, Andrew Urban

Englewood: Mary Ann Barrett, Doyce Crider, Susan Day, Larry Glickler, Mary Jane Munson, John Siehl, Pat Peter, Don and Nell Ross, Donna Stumpf, Barb Townsend, Darlene Vanatta, Ron Wyss

Farmersville:  Martha Dils, Karen Tobias

 Germantown:  Patty Stricker, Mark Cross

 Huber Heights:  Ted Arseneau, Jummai Azagaku, Cindy Byers, Judy Cole, Vickie Corbett, Vicki Hahn, Nicole Johnson, Kim Young, Irene Mascola, Marylena McQueen, Dorothy Reid, Mary Slattery, Leah Bryant, Janice Halldorson, Mary Jane Johnson, Peggy Jordan, Tracey Suntay, Mary Wright, MaryKate Yost

 Kettering:  Nancy Andrews, Eleanor Bernstein, Jan Binegar, Patricia Cassidy, Ronda Dezarn, J. Michael Drake, Clarita “Re” Duffin, James Duffin, Robert Flavin Melody Klontz, Danny Morgan, Laurie Rammel, Carla Sidenstick, Rob Spaulding, Sue Spaulding, Marcella Roberts, Lynda Hoffman, Estelle Bunch, Pat Chapman, Judith DeAngulo, Rose Marie Brown, Opal Flynn, Nita Hart, Roz Klein-Nelson, Tori Lykins, Patricia Madden, Anna Mae Maurice, Joyce McQuown, Carl Nichols, Linda Poelking, Kathy Schroer, Corene Taylor, Amy VanDenekelle, Steven Weimer, Colleen Willhelm, Sally Williams, Charlotte Youngerman, Helen Christian, Lora “Ann” Cook, Bonnie Griffis, Billie Grote, the Kain family, June Wilhite, Lisa Belluardo, Sally Frost, Michael Lehn, Toni Lehn, Cynthia Perander, Judy Hayes, Matt Roll, Carolyn Wimer, Elizabeth Brown, Fran Limbert, Marla Morgan, Jan Zukowitz

 Oakwood:  Ellen Boyer, Peggy Weller

 Miamisburg:  Katie Armstrong, Wavelene Erhard, Diane “Griff” Griffin, Rick Martin, Connie Pavliga, Raymond Sacilotto, Pat Schultz, Linda Ratcliff,  Debbie Sisler, Jasmine Skees, Crystal Steed, Joan Wagner, Theresa Christian, Lisa Hanauer, Laura Lewis, Nancy Scott, Faye Smith, Larry Zumstein

 Moraine: Joe Cox, Debbie Jones

 New Lebanon:  Judy Clymer, Myrtis Howard

 Phillipsburg:  Laurel Sylvester

 Riverside:  Martha “Tanaka” Mutiti, Ethel Northern, Louisa “Carmen” Davis, Richard Barker, Pamela McIntosh

 Trotwood: Amber Beavers, Beverly Cox-Dizaar, Jean Battle, Holly Campbell-Bradley, Kandi Howard, JoAnne Orihood, Dorothy Thompson, Mattie Watkins,  Zenar Tekeste

 Vandalia:  Larry Alkire, Sue Allen, Stacy Besecker, Martha Coblentz, Heather Newman, Rene Vasquez, Sandy Spencer, Greg Toman, Therese Plaspohl

 West Carrollton:  Belinda Post, Susan Christman, Jennifer, Cunningham, Doris Stringer

 Preble County:    

Eaton:  Robyn Shope

West Alexandria: Ainslie Arnett

Warren County:

 Carlisle:  Imogene Kidd

 Lebanon:  Helen Albino, Gerry Argento, Martha Blair, B. Cecil “Butch” Cates, Kathleen Colclasure, Judy Hadhazy, Gayle Irons, Martha King, Jacqueline McGough, Donna Shaw, Nancy Toepfer, Michele Ullum, Kim Scoville, Catriona “Fay” Smillie, Angella Tapogna, Belinda Wright, Pat Milton, Kristine Carter

Maineville:  Patricia Rawson, Stella Ray, Pat Heit

 Mason:  Sandi Beck, Darlene Center, Ruth Gattinella

 Oregonia:  Charissa Duncan, Sharlene Peyton

 Springboro: Krissy Adams, Alyssa Adams, Mike Bradstreet, Jane Cook, Margaret Cook, Tricia Etter, Darlene Ferris, Kristin Geerken, Lois Gillihugh, C. Stanley Gockel, Donna Hanby, Brian Kest, Maansi Kulkarni, Saagar Kulkarni, Sandra Oswald, Karen Metro, Cindy Schulte, Janie Ridd, Ron Smith

 Waynesville:  Pam Campbell, Dan Erlandson, Gwendolyn “June Coleman, Bill Gaver, David Gasper

 Hamilton:  Linda O’Connor

 Other

Liberty, IN:  Susan Cornett

Indianapolis IN:  Sharon Waddell

Linda J. Wise Jones

October 24, 1940 – February 18, 2012

Linda was a life-long resident of Dayton, Ohio and a woman of many talents and passions.  Among them were her love of horses, dogs, sewing and gardening (especially her roses).  Her passion for horses began as a young girl and she would tell stories of riding her horses on Main Street (Route 48) to her friends’ homes to visit.  She started the Old National Trail Riding Center at the Englewood Park in the late 1970′s. I am the oldest of five children and she had me on horseback by the time I was 8 years of age.  She had to quit riding in her early 40′s due to a fall off her last horse.  She had been an avid sewer for as long as I can remember.  She had great fun in making dresses for my sisters, her granddaughters, me and all of our dolls.  She took great pride in sewing and tailoring her own clothes as well.  Her passion for gardening was beyond belief. She loved flowers, most especially roses, and would share her bounty with everyone. In her fifties, she went back to college and got her nursing degree, graduating with honors. She then proceeded to open and operate a 13 person assisted living home. One of her favorite fun things to do was to go the river boats and pull the one arm bandits (slot machines) with Harold, her husband, and her parents, Leon and Katie.  She had a fabulous sense of humor which is one of the many things I will miss about her.  She was a young 71 when she passed but over the last 5 years or so had many health issues.  She was a fighter and fought as long as she could.  Hospice of Dayton made the final process of her life a caring, comfortable, and peaceful transition. She is no longer suffering nor in pain. I and my family will always be thankful that Hospice of Dayton is there to provide this to patients and their families.  

Submitted by daughter Susan Vahle                                                      

“Hospice of Dayton encourages our staff to be creative and collaborative in their work,”  Amy Wagner, Vice President for Organizational Excellence observes.  “Ours is a culture of continuous improvement that encourages engagement and individual empowerment.  We have a passionately committed team of professionals who work together to deliver peace of mind to the patients and families we are privileged to serve.  They are responsible for our mission becoming a reality in the lives we touch.”

“Thanks to the generosity of this community, Hospice of Dayton has been providing care for patients and families since 1978,” explains Hospice of Dayton President and CEO Kent Anderson. “To honor the continued community support we receive, we have updated our Hospice House to provide more healing hospitality, and have increased the level of care and services we provide. We invite the community to come and see what their generosity has made possible.”

Hospice of Dayton began the facility refresh project in order to provide a higher level of “healing hospitality” and to help meet the growing need for hospice services in the community. Every patient room has been updated with new furnishings, special features such as isolated, personal music controls and relaxation light therapy equipment. Public areas have been refreshed to provide a warm and hospitable atmosphere for families and welcoming environment for community group meetings. Reception areas, entries, elevators and the main stairway atrium into patient wings in the Shaw Building have all been remodeled with an emphasis on ease of access and way finding for families and visitors. The goal of all these changes is to create an atmosphere of “healing hospitality.” A calming color palette, pleasant lighting and comfortable accommodations that incorporate nature can all help ease patient anxiety. Additional services such as massage, music and light therapy can also provide additional patient comfort. The organization has created 50 new jobs in the past year by increasing these levels of care and services for to patients and families.

As a community based, not-for-profit healthcare provider, Hospice of Dayton has approached the refresh project as an opportunity to invest in the local economy, exclusively employing local architectural, construction, design and artistic support services in the project.

The final Open House Tours are scheduled for January 24 and 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Hospice of Dayton is located at 324 Wilmington Avenue. For more information, please contact (937) 256-4490, ext. 4409.

Hospice of Dayton is the Miami Valley’s largest hospice care provider. Founded in 1978, it services eight counties including Montgomery, Greene, Clark, Preble, Butler, Warren, Clinton and Miami, with on-site locations in Dayton and Middletown (Hospice of Butler and Warren Counties). For more information about Hospice of Dayton, visit www.hospiceofdayton.org.

 Keynote speaker for the educational conference will be Thomas Moore, Ph.D., author of the bestselling book Care of the Soul, and fifteen other books on spirituality.  His presentation will focus on the world of medicine, speaking to nurses and doctors about the soul and spirit of medical practice.  The program provides continuing education credits for physicians, nurses and social workers. 

 Proceeds from this event will benefit the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University’s Healer’s Art Fund, established to provide medical professionals support in finding lifelong meaning in the healing professions.  The program educates tomorrow’s caregivers through the Healer’s Art Course and sustains today’s caregivers through the annual Medical-Spirituality Conference.  

 The day-long conference will be held on the Sinclair Community College campus at the Ponitz Center, Building 12, 444 W. Third St. Dayton, Ohio 45402.  Registration information is .available on-line .