For 25th anniversary, Hospice practices 25 days of caring

HOWARD COUNTY - For 25 years, the people of Howard County have given of their talents, time and money to support Howard County Community Hospice.

Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Tamara Lickteig noted, “For our 25th anniversary we decided to do 25 days of caring, acts of kindness and giving back to the community. The community has supported us over the past 25 years, and we wanted to show our thanks.

“The 25 Days of Caring was fun, and our team enjoyed giving back to the community.”

Some of the caring items included donating “Sacred Passage” to Cresco, Lime Springs and Elma libraries; activity pillows to four nursing homes; grief journals to Senior Life Solutions; pies to Hospice families; hams to Hospice families for Christmas; gift certificates to Community Health Services’ Happy Feet Clinic; Healing Touch mini-sessions to nursing home staff; five Thanksgiving meal kits to Howard County Food Pantry (stuffing, canned yams, green beans, mushroom soup, fried onions, canned pumpkin pie mix, evaporated milk, boxed pie crust, cranberries and mashed potatoes); winter clothing to Howard-Winneshiek Schools; 5 Wishes booklet to Cresco Library; and money to HoCA for $5 Denim Day at Regional Health Services of Howard County.

Other items included blessing of nursing home workers’ hands; free music session at nursing homes; sponsoring a family for Operation CARE Christmas program; and Four-Legged Friend Pet Therapy event at nursing homes.

Two days were designated for Random Acts of Kindness Day with a candy cane blitz and the Kammerer children hanging up flyers around town.

The Hospice group also made up thank you packages for school social workers, local law enforcement, fire department, Mobile Food Pantry, home meal delivery volunteers, EARL Public Transit van drivers, Emergency Medical Services and the Pastoral Care Committee.

 

History

During HCCH’s 25th anniversary celebration in June, Connie Koshatka recalled Administrator Cora Dunt “brought up the concept of starting our own Hospice. We, as staff, felt unsure of the whole idea, but Cora being Cora charged ahead.”

On May 30, 1996, the first patient was admitted to the program — an elderly patient of Koshatka’s. “He had been in and out of the ER and hospital frequently and was ready for Comfort Cares only. He was able to pass away peacefully surrounded by his family.”

She noted it took lots of training and learning what did and didn’t work. “We did and continue to have a strong team that work together and strive to meet our patients’ wishes and provide end-of-life comfort.” 

In 2019 the HOPE (Hospice Opportunities for Positive Experiences) Program was born. It allows staff and volunteers to go above and beyond to enhance quality of life for patients.

Some of the special care given to patients includes going on a visit to their home farm or to the grave of a loved one. Some have spent the day fishing. Families can have family photo sessions. Thumbprint pendants are also available.

 

Hospice needs volunteers

Hospice staff and volunteers are a devoted group of individuals who are helping out families during a very emotional time. Their job is not easy, but it is a job that needs to be done. And for a few hours a week, they lessen the burden for caregivers.

Hospice is always looking for volunteers and will try to fit patients with someone who has the same likes and hobbies. To learn more, call 563-547-2989.