VNA Hospice of Southwest Iowa

August 1 is right around the corner! On Wednesday, we’ll be deactivating this page to join Visiting Nurse Association. Don’t forget to give VNA a like to keep in touch with us — and thanks for all of your support throughout the years.

https://www.facebook.com/VisitingNurseAssociation/

Visiting Nurse Association VNA offers a wide range of community-based services for individuals throughout the Omaha metro, Counc

Just a reminder: We’ll be deactivating our page on August 1! Follow Visiting Nurse Association to stay in touch with VNA Hospice of Southwest Iowa.

https://www.facebook.com/VisitingNurseAssociation/

Visiting Nurse Association VNA offers a wide range of community-based services for individuals throughout the Omaha metro, Counc

Earlier this year, we joined the Visiting Nurse Association family as VNA Hospice of Southwest Iowa. Starting August 1, we’ll be joining VNA’s page as well, and removing this page from Facebook.

If you haven’t already, give VNA a follow to keep up-to-date on our news. https://www.facebook.com/VisitingNurseAssociation/

Visiting Nurse Association VNA offers a wide range of community-based services for individuals throughout the Omaha metro, Counc

We are honored as well! Thank you

We are honored to welcome Hospice of Southwest Iowa to the VNA family! Hospice of Southwest Iowa is now solely governed by VNA and operates as VNA Hospice of Southwest Iowa. We will continue to provide the same high levels of care to hospice patients in Pottawattamie, Mills and Harrison counties in Iowa. https://vnatoday.org/about-us/news/hospice-southwest-iowa-joins-vna-provide-end-life-care/

Methodist Selects VNA as Preferred Provider for Home Health and Hospice Services In Neb. and Iowa - VNA OMAHA – Methodist Hospital, a long-time provider of home health and hospice care in Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa, will close its program in March and has named Visiting Nurse …

Way to go team!

Congratulations to our incredible hospice team! Their basket they donated to Art & Soup, Catcher in the Rye, was the highest selling silent auction item, so they're taking home this enormous trophy! Thanks for your generous donation to Art & Soup, and of course for the amazing work you do everyday!

Speaker Series: Tips for Keeping Your Mind Sharp - VNA The first VNA Senior Speaker Series presentation of 2018 "Tips for Keeping Your Mind Sharp," features Dennis Dunning SLP, PhD, Speech Language Pathologist, from Visiting Nurse Association.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we recognize the women who helped build VNA. Since 1896, many amazing women have impacted vulnerable lives as nurses, doctors, home health aides, social workers, chaplains, pharmacists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, office managers, accountants, and administrators. Thanks to every woman who passionately built a foundation of community care – and to those who continue the legacy: Shaping tomorrow’s care. Today.

A special note from our Chaplain as he reflects on the Christmas season.

Luke 1:39-45

Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."

Mary, whom the early Christian looked to as a role model for the way she said “yes” to God, goes to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. Quite a journey for a pregnant mother to be, and yet family and friends often “do” for each other, all year long. Important events take place in our homes, where great love is shown to those in need of care. Though these can be challenging times for us, they can also be very sacred times, as we draw closer to those we love and do for them as we wish others would do for us.
I’m never surprised that family members and friends are taking care of business, caring for each other and their families, and reaching out to others in need.

So I invite all of us to take a moment and reflect on who we are journeying to meet, whether it’s family members or friends, what is being born in us and brought forth, this Christmas & New Year, and what is bringing us joy?

My hope for each of us is that we are finding joy in being alive, in service to family, friends and others, in the little parts of each day that make us smile. May the God of grace, hope, joy, and peace be with us as we celebrate and as we live in gratitude.

The people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light; and on those who dwell in endless gloom, a light has shone.

Isaiah 9:2
For a child is born this day, rejoice, rejoice! Daughter of Zion, awake, awake, the glory of God is near.

A safe, blessed, joyful, and restful Christmas to all of you! Peace in Him, our Peace.

MK

A big thank you to the CB Police department and the IWCC School of Culinary Arts for their generous soup donation! We were able to spread lots of joy and warm lots of tummies! Thank you so much for thinking of us. We truly appreciate your generosity!

Hirdler Hills Daisy Mae Duke TDIA or “Daisy” and her handler Deb Jenkins were recognized on December 1st as the Finalist for the Human Services Advisory Council Volunteer of the Year award.

Deb and Daisy worked very hard to get all of the requirements met to become an active therapy dog with Pet Therapy International by the beginning of 2017 although she had been a member since 2012.

Deb then completed the 16 hour Volunteer Training for Hospice of Southwest Iowa. During this time of training Daisy was invited by Deb and Dennis’s pastor to attend church on Sundays to practice but it became clear very quickly that she didn’t need any practice. Deb began seeing patients with Daisy by her side in April.

Daisy has completed 80 visits for HSI in a 7 month time period! Daisy received the TDIA award from Pet Therapy International with a pin to wear on her vest for completing 50+ visits. Daisy also received a Canine Good Citizen award in 2009 and a Therapy Dogs International award in 2012 through the Fort Dodge Kennel Club of Fort Dodge, IA. Deb has been a member of the Fort Dodge Kennel Club since 1991 and taught several puppy kindergarten classes.

Daisy has brought SO much joy to our Hospice patients during her time with us.

And now…Daisy has lost her own health battle and passed away on December 1st, just hours after receiving her award.

Please join us in sending congratulations to Dennis, Deb and Daisy for their volunteer service to the patients of Hospice of Southwest Iowa and the surrounding community. Daisy we will miss you and wish you God speed to your perfect external resting place.

Please consider designating Hospice of Southwest Iowa on this cyber Monday. Thank you and happy shopping!

So nice to see our patient families last evening at our annual memorial service. You will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers as you travel your grief journey. Thank you to our chaplain Marty Kalkowski and staff for creating a beautiful service of remembrance.

Hospice of Southwest Iowa is proud to announce we recently received a Superior Performer certificate from SHP, the organization responsible for surveying the families of our hospice patients. We rank in the top 20% nationwide for all of 2016 in caregiver satisfaction! We are blessed with an amazing core of dedicated, professional, and compassionate staff and volunteers who go above and beyond for their patients and families every day. Thank you for all you do for families in Southwest Iowa!

Making Time to Really Listen to Your Patients Learn not only what’s the matter with them, but also what matters to them.

Music brings healing, comfort to the dying There's an increased use of live music at Bay Area’s major hospitals and hospices to bring healing and comfort to people who are near death.

One Last Visit to See My Patient A doctor who has been alongside her 91-year-old patient for some 20 years prepares to say goodbye.

Hospice patient goes on hot air balloon ride, fulfills bucket list wish via virtual reality All his life, Wayne Knight longed for riding in a hot air balloon. Although his hospice caregivers sought ways to make it happen, the possibility became slim as Knight became more and more dependent of his oxygen machine.

Congratulations to outstanding volunteer Terry Bowman - honored at the 2017 Hospice & Palliative Care Association of Iowa's Volunteer Awards ceremony. Thank you Terry for all that you do for the patients and families we serve.

Visiting Nurse Association Careers Hospice of Southwest Iowa is currently seeking a detail oriented, self-motivated RN who enjoys making a difference in the lives of others for our RN Case Manager position.

Congratulations to the volunteers at HOSPICE OF SOUTHWEST IOWA - the entire group has been nominated for the Governors Award! Ceremony is Tuesday September 19th at 2:30 - Charles Lankin Campus in Council Bluffs. Come and show your support for all of the wonderful volunteers that dedicate countless hours to serving others! You are a priceless gift and our community would be lost without you!

Congrats to our very own Terry Bowman for being nominated for this years Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Iowa Volunteer Award! She will receive her award at the ceremony being held on September 25th in Ankeny.

http://www.ehospice.com/usa/ArticleView/tabid/10708/ArticleId/22562/language/en-GB/View.aspx

20 years after her death, Diana’s legacy of care lives on The work of Diana, Princess of Wales, relieved the pain and suffering of thousands of people with incurable illness around the world.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/hospice-professionals-do-not-have-authority-to-dispose-of-patients-medications/2017/08/28/601dadfc-89ba-11e7-96a7-d178cf3524eb_story.html?utm_term=.fcc58f6c96fe

Hospice professionals do not have authority to dispose of patients’ medications There is no question that the United States is coping with an opioid epidemic of overwhelming proportions. Unfortunately, the Aug. 22 Health & Science article “Hospices can be a source of illicit op...

Updated information on estate sale with proceeds to benefit Hospice of Southwest Iowa. Sale is today and tomorrow. Here is the link: https://www.estatesales.net/IA/Crescent/51526/1592487

Georgia & Joe Miklas Sale in Crescent, IA starts on 7/7/2017

When you on , Amazon donates to Hospice Of Southwest Iowa.