10/16/2011

Carey Head
News Lifestyles Editor

Patsy Hill had less than 24 hours to experience the sheer relief that working with Hospice brings. But one day was enough to make her a believer. Hill didn’t experience the life-affirming care Hospice of North Central Oklahoma offers patients nearing the end of life’s journey before her own loved one passed. But within a day of enlisting Hospice care, Hill was able to appreciate what Hospice offers families when the journey ends. “They were a blessing to me on short notice,” Hill said with a piercing gaze. “I didn’t have to have the police there, I didn’t have to wait for the state coroner to come. Hospice was in charge and they took care of everything.”  “The Hospice umbrella protects from all of that happening,” agreed Greg Wood, HoNCO executive director. “If you hadn’t had Hospice, then your journey would have been far different.”


Hill is determined to spread the good news of Hospice’s great works every chance she gets. After months of work, she will be among the hosts of a community-wide program on Thursday, Oct. 20. Beginning at 7 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, 1200 West Grand, Hospice of North Central Oklahoma will present a visual program detailing the many programs and benefits Hospice provides. The evening also includes handouts and door prizes. 


Hill has been working with local chapters of Beta Sigma Phi, the Fanchon Chapter Order of Eastern Star and the Masonic Lodge of Ponca City to host a free program designed to tell all comers what help is available at no cost to the patient or their family.


“Everywhere I go I ask people ‘have you heard of Hospice?’ and I get the reply ‘Certainly, it’s a great organization,’” Hill said. “Then I ask ‘what do they do?’ and most answer ‘I’m not really sure.’ So I wanted to spread the word about all Hospice does. From medical equipment
and supplies, pain and symptom management and skilled nursing care, Hospice also offers family and caregiver support, grief and bereavement support and scheduled visits with registered nurses and certified nurse assistants. According to Wood, there are three common questions families ask.

• When do I call Hospice? “The sooner the better,” he said.
• Do I have to have a physician’s referral? “You don’t have to wait for the doctor to make a referral. Families can bring [Hospice] up first. In fact, 50 percent of our referrals come from family members. It will be the doctor’s decision but the family can certainly bring up the subject.”
• Is Hospice expensive? “Hospice of North Central Oklahoma is a non-profit and there is no expense to the patient and their family,” Wood said. “We are a Medicare certified organization and accept the Hospice Medicare Benefit as payment for services. Regardless of the source of reimbursement, patients and families are not charged for expenses of hospice care thanks to memorial giving, estate and trust funds, donations and community fundraisers.”

The Thursday program will answer any question about HoNCO’s work. Though the program is free, an RSVP is requested in order to assure adequate seating. To reserve a seat, please call the HoNCO office at 762-9102 or 1-800-814-9102.

The North Central Oklahoma Hospice programs provided care to 320 patients and supported more than 220 families last year. With Hill’s determined help, many more will benefit. And she is a fearless recruiter, too.

“If you are unavailable to attend this special presentation, please tell your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors and invite them to attend and call the HoNCO for more information and to reserve a spot.”

“It takes courage for a family and loved one to allow the concept of Hospice to be discussed,” Wood continued. “Hospice care neither hastens nor postpones death, it affirms life. We work to make every day as comfortable and joyful as possible, to make every day a gift.”