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by Jennifer Messelt, LMSW, LGSW In my 14 years as grief specialist at HIA Hospice, I’ve sat across from many grieving spouses. It’s been a privilege and honor to journey alongside them during their first year of grief. Through these interactions, I have learned about the grief reactions bereaved spouses have experienced. I’ve also learned the types…
Have you ever had someone say something to you during a difficult situation that you know was said with good intent but came across as hurtful or uncomfortable? How something is said can make all the difference. Knowing what to say when someone is ill can be challenging. Below are tips on what to say and…
by Vickie Haverkamp, Dr. Div., M.Div., RN When I think of presence, I think of my grandfather. He always made me feel like the most important person in the world because he gave me his undivided attention, genuinely engaging in our conversations and free time together. I knew he listened and was not concerned about what he…
by Jennifer Messelt, LMSW, LGSW After a loved one has died, you may feel like you are consumed by your grief—and often loneliness—especially if you had a close relationship with the person who died. Even though you may be surrounded by others, the physical and emotional void left by the person’s death may be accompanied by…
Special thanks to Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice, Marlton, NJ, for allowing HIA Hospice, formerly Hospice of the Red River Valley, to share the following article. When someone dear is terminally ill, you want to give them love and support. But you may also wish to give them something to show you care and enhance their comfort.…
HIA Hospice uses a piece of technology called the Macy Catheter. This specific catheter provides quick symptom management for severe symptoms while avoiding some of the challenges of administering oral/buccal medications at the end of life. A number of educational and instructional resources for The Macy Catheter are available:
The role of a hospice social worker is to advocate for each patient’s end-of-life wishes and help individuals address the emotional aspects of late-stage illnesses. Hospice social workers also assist families in identifying other available local services and resources for additional support. We spoke with HIA Hospice Social Worker Tammy Baehler about the distinct role of a…
If your loved one resides in an assisted living or skilled nursing facility, you are entrusting others to provide the best care possible for your loved one. Staff members in these facilities are experts in long-term care, and HIA Hospice staff members are experts in pain and symptom management for end-of-life care. We often hear…
by Janna Benson Kontz, MDiv Holidays and grief form an interesting tension for each of us after the death of a loved one. We feel the tension between wanting to celebrate and never wanting to celebrate again. We feel the tension between wanting to be happy and feeling guilty for being happy. We feel the tension…
The old saying, “love at first sight,” rings true for Cyndy and Tony Andren, a Valley City, N.D., couple, who recently celebrated 25 years of marriage, filled with love, compassion, faith and family. Their courtship began as friendly neighbors and effortlessly grew into a deeper affection. “I really started to notice Tony when I witnessed how…