Olive Grove Hospice

Fall is here, and it’s time to store your classic cars, boats, and any other vehicles you don’t want out in the snow. At White Pine, we have extra underground garage spaces available for rent.

Feel free to share this flyer with a friend or neighbor in need of a secure, heated underground parking space that is very affordable!

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL GRIEF AWARENESS DAY

1. Support a grieving friend

If a friend has been honest with you and shared a current story of grief or loss, today is the day to be an extra shoulder for them to cry on. While acknowledging that everyone processes their feelings differently, offer to support your friend in whatever way they need.

2. Engage in self-care

In the throes of grief, a normal human response to loss, self-judgment, and anger are not productive emotions. Rather than attempting to push yourself onto an acceptable “grieving timeline,” remember that there is no one path for those in mourning, and engage in self-care by letting yourself feel whatever you’re feeling.

3. Post

Help National Grief Awareness Day accomplish its mission of educating the public on grief by sharing what you’ve learned on social media. Creating space for any kind of reaction to loss is healthy for you, and might just be what someone in your social circle needed to see.

As always please reach out to Olive Grove Hospice for any bereavement needs - 763-219-4939 or https://www.olivegrovecare.com/contact-us

If you would like to volunteer with Olive Grove Hospice please reach out to Melissa at – [email protected]

Source: https://nationaltoday.com/national-grief-awareness-day/ #:~:text=U.S.&text=This%20National%20Grief%20Awareness%20Day,we%20know%20who%20are%20grieving

Meet Stephanie, RN, BSN, PHN, Administrator, DON MN/Wisconsin, RN case manager, The Olive Grove bucket of knowledge to share!

“I enjoy boating, gardening, saving animals and home projects. I have a partner, 2 kids, and a whole mini zoo with 3 dogs 🐶 🐶🐶, 1 cat🐱, fish 🐟 🐠, tortoise 🐢 , 6 lizards 🦎 🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎, and I foster pets as well.

I treat everyone as they are someone’s loved one and they belong to a family. I view the dying process as important as birthing process. I decided to work in Hospice because of my grandfather’s decline and caring for him. ❤️

I hope people remember me as the crazy, kind, loving, compassionate, helpful person I am. ☁️

My personal mottos are:
⭐️“If I don’t know, I can’t fix it“
✨“Just be honest”
⭐️ “Never judge, or assume”

I view hospice as the end of life with compassion. 🕊️

When I approach difficult situations I try to listen, engage, communicate, and hear all sides through before coming to a decision.

I have my ADN, BSN and PHC from Saint Catherine’s University. I graduated on the Deans List and with Honors. I am a recipient of a nursing scholarship as well as MNDONA scholarship. I was requested to be the speaker at my class pinning ceremony as well which is a amazing request as you are picked by your classmates to do this honor.”

Meet our Wisconsin Chaplain, Jim!

My hobbies include traveling and riding my motorcycle. I am married with 3 grown children, 2 step children, 4 grandchildren, and 2 English Bulldogs! I live in a Hudson, WI. An interesting fact about me is that I was once a guest on the Oprah Winfrey show.

I have a masters degree in teaching with a 4.0 GPA. 👨‍🏫

The person I admire most is Jesus - I’m a chaplain, what did you expect. 🙏

Meet Lauren, RN Case Manager!

“I like to garden, travel and experience new things. My family consists of my significant other, Joseph, and 2 sons (ages 1 and 10) and 3 dogs and 3 cats and I live in Rock Creek, MN.

I started schooling at PTCC and obtained my ADN then finished my bachelor's with honors at Bethel College. I think communication is key! I have always had great experiences in my personal and professional life with cares of hospice teams, I wanted to be one of those lights on a dark time as well. I am light hearted, and kind with my clients and my motto is “Take it one day at a time.”

I love spending time with my kids, gardening and being outside on my free time. Living in the present and taking each day for what it has to offer is the ultimate gift we get to see in our children and should remind ourselves to live this way each day. ⭐️

I believe hospice medications we recommend to give is not to hasten the dying process, but to provide comfort while allowing natural life processes to occur.”

Each person's journey through this time is unique. At Olive Grove Hospice, we are committed to providing a meaningful experience that will bring support when needed most.

There are several ways we offer support, including:

--Providing personal care, including assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), pain and symptom management.

--We provide individualized care plans to meet the needs of patients and their loved ones.

--Social workers available for patients and their loved ones, providing support in preparation for the end-of-life.

--Spiritual care can help individuals find peace and meaning at the end of life.

--Eliminate repeated visits to the emergency room by proactively addressing concerns in the home setting.

--Patient and family-directed care planning is encouraged to ensure a genuinely person-centered experience.

--Collaboratively approach our communication with physicians and other care professionals involved in the care plan.

To connect with a nurse after hours or for more information, please contact us at #763-219-4939 or visit our website at https://www.olivegrovecare.com/ for questions or to submit a secure referral for a hospice assessment.

Hi, I'm Lee, and I'm an aide in Wisconsin. Here's a bit about me:

I love to feed birds, and love camping in the Quetico (Canadian side of the Boundary Waters) I live just outside of Hammond, WI.
My own personal motto: It's never over until the whistles blown.
Hospice is not end of life care, It's comfort cares. It's also dignity, a friend and all the comfort we can give to an individual heading to the rainbow bridge and beyond.

Our sister community, Lino Lakes had a Luau! How fun!🍍🍹🧉🍧

Gracewood of Lino Lakes-Luau — Assisted Living - Memory Care - White Pine - Comforts of Home - Gracewood We offer a wide variety of activities at our communities. Below are just a few examples of the fun we are having at White Pine, Comforts of Home and Gracewood Senior Living.

My name is Melissa and I am the Olive Grove Hospice Social Worker. I graduated from Case Western Reserver University with my Masters Degree this year but have been working with the elderly population my entire career. In my free time I work on a horse farm, work with a cat rescue for outreach and foster, and I am currently planning my wedding! I decided to work in hospice for all of the people that can benefit from extra love and care. We can learn so much from our elder population. I view them all as my own grandparents, they took care of us so it’s our turn to take care of them.

We are a proud Level One member of We Honor Veterans.

https://www.wehonorveterans.org/

☀️ Make a difference today in someone’s life!☀️
We are seeking reliable, compassionate volunteers to provide support.

Volunteers are needed for:
•🤗 💑 Companionship and emotional support
•💭Sharing memories with those we serve
•🛏️💌Support during bedside vigils
•👂☕️Empathetic listening
•🇺🇸🥾Veteran support
•🗂️📂📑Office support
•🚣🏿🛰️🏍️🎹🎨🎲Sharing unique interests

Our team is here to welcome, support and train you throughout your volunteer experience. No experience necessary just a giving heart! 💚

Please call 763-219-4939 and ask for Stephanie!

🫒🕊️ We can’t wait to work with you! 🫒🕊️

White Pine of Blaine-Summer Party — Assisted Living - Memory Care - White Pine - Comforts of Home - Gracewood Celebrating with our annual kick of to the summer party in Blaine. Everyone had a great time, we even had a bonus 90th birthday at the same time.

So true.

This was shared with me by one of our hospice nurses. ♥️

One of the things I get asked about a lot is “when will I know they are close?”

I have heard people say things like, “their nailbeds are not blue, so they have a lot more time,” or “their hands are still warm, so they have time.”

Things that can be a sign that someone is actively dying are:
Mottling
Apnea
The “death rattle”
Oxygen drops
Blue nailbeds
Changes in skin color in the face
Cold hands and feet
Breathing changes
Delirium
Visions

Some of these things happen, and some of them don’t, and they can be days, hours, or just moments before those last breaths are taken. This is unpredictable. I have learned to trust that the body knows what to do, and while those signs and symptoms indicate death is near, they do not put a timeframe on it. The body makes sounds and movements that can sometimes be scary and leave us at the bedside waiting… and waiting… and waiting. Education is key, be prepared that these things can happen, but don’t sit and wait for them to.
Don’t stress over the “what ifs.”

I tend not to take vital signs, and I don’t anticipate one sign or symptom as my guide. I watch their breathing, making sure it is not labored, and I do my best to remove struggling, distress, or suffering. When I have removed these things, I allow the body to do what it needs to do. Their eyes and their breath tell me everything I need to know... (most times).

I always educate the families, preparing them for what could, and might happen, but encourage them to take this time, whether it be days, weeks, or hours, and just be present for the person they are preparing to say goodbye too.

And remember... they may choose to take their last breath the moment you walked out the door, or moments before you get there. It is not personal, it is not something you did wrong. Some people want privacy and do not want an audience, some don't want that to be the last thing you see. And I truly believe... they don't take with them who was there at the last breath...they take with them who was there all along. ❤️

Be prepared, ask questions, and know that some things happen, and some things don’t… but most of all, just be there… that is what they need most from you.

xo
Gabby

If you go to my website there is a section titled, “end-of-life tips,” which helps to explain some of the things I mentioned in more detail. www.thehospiceheart.net

We remember ♥️♥️

Please take care of yourself friends 💙💚💜 you are important!

This article spoke to me personally and rather loudly. If you had extra difficult and challenging circumstances growing up, the elder years of our parents can be a hard line to walk. 💙you are not alone🖤

https://themighty.com/2022/04/trauma-caring-for-abusive-parent/?utm_source=engagement_bar&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=story_page.engagement_bar/

I Don’t Have to Take Care of My Elderly Abusive Mother "I don't owe her any more of my presence than is healthy for me to offer."

I firmly believe that caregiving at home is one of the hardest things to do. Often the caregiver ends up eating, sleeping and living on the other persons schedule which can be chaotic especially if there is Alzheimer’s/Dementia involved. But what do caregivers do when it’s over? How do they even start get back into a normal-ish life?

https://www.thecaregiverspace.org/life-after-caregiving/?amp=1

Life after caregiving Caregiving is an emotional roller-coaster ride and will continue to be even after the caregiving journey ends.

All are valid.

Empathy. Costs nothing to provide and means everything to others 💜

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDDWvj_q-o8&t=0s

Empathy: The Human Connection to Patient Care Patient care is more than just healing -- it's building a connection that encompasses mind, body and soul. If you could stand in someone else's shoes . . . h...

Happy Fathers Day!! Today can be hard for many people. Just as with mothers, it takes more than biology to make a parent! If you are lucky enough to have an amazing dad in your life, be an amazing dad or even missing your amazing dad.. today is for you 💙💚

This is our canine volunteer Goliath being one of the goodest boys and a bestest lucky charm for a game of BINGO!

*This photo was shared with permission from the family of as well as the lucky BINGO winner!

Memorial Day is about Remembering and Honoring those who never made it home from their missions and people who have gone to the other side before us. Thank You to those who have sacrificed so much people sacrificed their lives for us to have the freedoms we do. May everyone rest in the peace that they deserve.

To us simple acts of kindness can be a ho-hum thing.. like this picture it was “just” a FaceTime call..
But to seniors, especially ones that have had to deal with soo much these past 2 years and living in facilities.. the littlest things to us can be huge to them and touch them in positive ways we don’t necessarily expect.
I know I have made more than one senior that I serve, get an ear to ear grin just by giving them a few mini Hershey bars, a wink and a smile.
It costs nothing to be kind… but it can mean everything.