April 2012 A Note from the Executive Director - Life Touch Hospice

National Volunteer Week
April 15-21
Life Touch Hospice salutes our
VOLUNTEERS for the outstanding job
they do, making a difference in the lives
of our patients and their families.
To the world.
you may be one person,
but to one person,
you may be the world.
Author Unknown
A Note from the Executive Director
April 15-21, 2012 is National Volunteer Week. A time to recognize the caring
individuals that give of their time and talents to organizations and causes that rely on
the gift of service. Of particular note would be Life Touch Hospice volunteers who
support patients and families coping with serious illness.
Many hospice volunteers are inspired to help others and support hospice because
of their own experiences with the compassionate care hospice provided to a dying
loved one. Many who are unfamiliar with hospice care assume that this volunteer
work would have taken place in a setting of gloom and despair. Hospice volunteers
tell a different story – how the time that they spend with those who need it most can
be fi lled with hope and love.
April 2012
Hospice care began as a grassroots, volunteer led movement to help bring comfort and dignity to the dying.
Now, hospice is an integral part of the American healthcare landscape that cares for more than 1.58 million
patients annually.
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization reports that there are an estimated 458,000 trained
volunteers giving 21 million hours of service every year to hospice and palliative care programs. Volunteers
remain an integral part of hospice care.
Whether a volunteer is serving at the bedside, helping out in the offi ce, raising awareness, or providing support
with fundraising, volunteers are at the heart of hospice.
Life Touch currently has 125 volunteers that contribute over 4,000 hours annually.
Spring Cleaning
(John R. Williamson Hospice House)
Look what our volunteers have
contributed in 2011!!!
4,024 hours of service
11,611 miles traveled
Thank you to every Life Touch Volunteer for the important work that you do for Life Touch!
Items Needed:
New full-size
fi tted sheets
Baby wipe
warmers
Macy Braswell

Raising Awareness About the Benefi ts of Hospice
How do caregivers know how to care for patients at home?
Our staff teaches caregivers how to best care for their loved one - how to change
dressings, prevent falls in the home, bathe a patient, administer medications, and
much more.
Taking Care of Yourself - Hospice
Benefi ts for Family and Friends
Full-time caregiving is hard work. It can be
a rewarding experience, but exhausting as well.
That’s why you have to give yourself permission
to think about your own needs as well as those
of your loved one. You can’t take good care of
someone else if you don’t fi rst take good care
of yourself. An important part of taking care of
yourself is taking breaks. Your Life Touch Hospice
Team will offer to have volunteers come and sit with the patient or help with chores to make
things easier for you. They are there to help your family member or friend and you, so be sure
to tell them how they can help you.
If you are physically or emotionally exhausted from caregiving, talk to your hospice team
about respite. Respite care gives you a break from daily caregiving while ensuring quality care
for your loved one. For example, if you are caring for someone at home, the hospice benefi t will
cover up to fi ve days of care for your loved one. One of the best gifts you can give your loved
one in hospice is fi ve days of “vacation” for you. You’ll come back to caregiving refreshed,
relaxed and ready to make the most of the time you have left with your loved one.
Grief and Bereavement
Hospice will be there to provide comfort and support following your loved one’s death. Life
Touch Hospice’s Bereavement Services are offered to caregivers and families for 13 months.
These services can take a variety of forms, including telephone calls, visits, written materials
about grief and support groups. You also might take advantage of individual counseling or learn
about community resources that can help you through this diffi cult time.

A Ladies’ Evening
On February 16, Life Touch Hospice hosted “A Ladies’ Evening” at the South Arkansas Arts
Center. Ladies who had lost a loved one were invited to attend and enjoy a catered dinner,
fellowship with other women and a light-hearted program presented by Mike Means.
Life Touch Hospice Coming Events
.
lifetouchhospice.org

Hospice Advisory Board Spotlight
Sue Crawford is a registered nurse and is the Director of Case Management
at the Medical Center of South Arkansas. She attended college at UAM
(Monticello) and SAU (Magnolia). Sue has been a nurse for 25 years
and has worked in many specialty areas including Emergency Room,
Cardiology, Orthopedics, Gastroenterology, House Supervisor, Physician
Office and presently in Management. Nursing was her childhood dream.
Even though she does not provide hands on treatment, she oversees the
patients’ care. Her job includes advocating for patients, utilization review,
assuring quality care, assisting physicians and assuring discharge needs
are met.
Sue Crawford, RN
Sue has been honored throughout her nursing career with numerous awards and recognitions.
She served as President and Vice President of her Nursing classes. Sue is a recipient of the Most
Creative Award from Arkansas Department of Health, been recognized as Star Achiever multiple
times and received the Non Clinical Manager of the year 2010.
Community service is a priority. She served four years on Family and Children Together (FACT,
Inc.) Board and currently serves on the Hospice Advisory Board. Both affiliations have a special
meaning to her. FACT, Inc. gave her the opportunity to ensure the needs of underprivileged children
were met by assisting with educational opportunities at an early age. Hospice has a personal note-
she lost her husband in June 2011. Troy was a patient at the John R. Williamson Hospice House
when the Lord called him home. She always thought of Hospice as being very special and was
always eager to encourage patients/families to utilize the services. When it was her turn to use
this service she felt like someone had stabbed her straight through her heart; however, her family
was blessed with compassion from the staff and outstanding care from the moment they arrived
and throughout their stay.
The Hospice House nurses and Dr. Callaway sincerely cared about not only the patient but the
whole family as a unit. Each nurse brought something special – one nurse could prop Troy on
pillows and he would look like he was floating. There were multiple other talents that were also
shared regularly from smiles to hugs, gentle touches, back rubs and last but not least prayers. Not
only did she witness the care provided from a professional aspect, she can personally say they
were all exceptional medical professionals. Sue says her goal is for patients/families to realize how
wonderful these services are and learn that hospice service is available early during the disease
process and benefits both the patient and the family unit.
Sue has a son Chad and wife Candace, daughter Beth and husband Steve and four wonderful
grandchildren (Coy, Kate, Abi and Carlie) that she enjoys spending time with. Sue feels very
honored and blessed to serve on the advisory board and will continue to strive to be a strong
Advocate for hospice.
Advisory Board Members:
Harriette Allison, APN Dr. Matthew Callaway
Truman Channell Betty Chatham Carol Cobb Sue Crawford, RN
Jane Dudley Laurie Eckart Ken Kelley Jim Miears
Rev. Pierce Moore Tom Sawyer Linda Stringfellow
Beth Weldon

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