Highlights
NEWS ABOUT LUTHERAN HOMES OF MICHIGAN AND RELATED SERVICES
WINTER 2003
Articles in the above issue of Highlights (click on the article or scroll through to read all the articles):
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Christmas in February - Letter from the Pres/CEO, David Gehm
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Ruth Helms Award Presented to Debbie Mikolanz of Frankenmuth
CHRISTMAS IN FEBRUARY
As I write this for our winter 2003 issue of Highlights, I am in the midst of Christmas preparation. The snow is gently falling outside, and everywhere I go there is plenty of Christmas joy. All of the Lutheran Homes, as well as the Lutheran Home Care Agency and Hospice of Hope, are decorated for the season. Throughout the month of December, groups stop in to carol, visit, or hand out Christmas greetings. In short, the joyous festivities are in full swing. Despite the cold weather, it leaves one with a warm, secure feeling that as we celebrate the birth of Christ, all is well.
However, by the time you read this newsletter, it is likely late January or even early February. The weather remains cold, like at Christmastime, but there is a very different feel to it. As winter drags on, the warm glow of the Christmas season seems like a distant memory. We look forward to spring - almost trying to will it into reality. While we hunker down for the long winter, the joy and wonder of Christmas has worn off.
This contrast is helpful as we consider the work and ministry of Lutheran Homes of Michigan. Our frail, chronically ill, and sometimes terminally ill clients and residents have come through the warm glow of their lives. They have lived out the joyous times of raising families - seeing grandchildren and great-grandchildren born and raised. They have experienced the excitement of weddings, births, baptisms, and confirmations. But, like the warm glow of Christmas, those times seem only distant memories now.
In some respects, these precious folks have now entered the "long winter" of their lives. Some struggle to remain optimistic, but frailty has robbed them of their joy. Time has robbed them of many of their loved ones and support. As their winter season of life drags on, it becomes harder and harder to think of spring. This is the point where the ministry of the Lutheran Homes begins.
At Lutheran Homes of Michigan, our staff, volunteers, congregations, and community groups demonstrate their commitment to love "even the least of these" - bringing hope, healing and joy to those in the winter season of life. Like "Christmas in February", the caring ministry of Lutheran Homes provides renewed hope and the caring touch of God's love.
By loving the oldest and the frailest among us, Lutheran Homes daily demonstrates God's heart that life is precious. It isn't our place to judge the value of life, but it is our place to honor Him by caring for others. And we couldn't do that without countless volunteers, donors and others who daily support us in these efforts.
So, as winter wears on and you might feel that twinge of despair that spring might never come, remember our special people in the Lutheran Home family. Think about being a breath of spring to someone who desperately needs it. We would be happy to introduce you to any number of folks who would warm to your touch.
In His service and yours,
David M. Gehm
President and CEO
Lutheran Homes of Michigan
RUTH HELMS AWARD PRESENTED TO DEBBIE MIKOLANZ OF FRANKENMUTH
On October 11, 2002, Debbie Mikolanz from the Lutheran Home Frankenmuth was presented with the Ruth Helms Award by the Michigan Association of Activity Professionals (MAAP) at their state conference. The Ruth Helms Award recognizes outstanding Activity Professionals for dedication and excellence at both the state and local levels.
Debbie has been involved in the Activities profession since 1984 - the past seven years with the Lutheran Home Frankenmuth. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology, with a minor in gerontology. Debbie is a Certified Remotivation Therapist and serves as Professional Development Chair for MAAP.
Debbie's peers have testified to her remarkable dedication to the MAAP, working hard to provide top quality conferences and seminars for its members. Her colleagues comment that Debbie is always willing to go the extra mile and is always helpful. She has initiative and maintains a very high standard of professionalism.
We congratulate Debbie for earning this award and are proud to work with her in our continued service to seniors in our home and across the state.
HOSPICE: A MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGH
By Lynn R. Zuellig
When we think of health care breakthroughs, we usually think of new surgical procedures or miracle drugs, not hospice care.
Hospice's story, however, is unique and remarkable. In just three decades, hospice has quietly revolutionized the way people die in America by honoring wishes and bringing peace, dignity and comfort to millions of patients and families. The Hospice of Hope has been a part of this health care revolution by providing end-of-life care for almost four years. This faith-based, non-profit hospice serves people of all faiths who live within 50 miles of Frankenmuth.
November was National Hospice Month, when hospices raise awareness in their communities, honor and support their patients and families, and recognize contributions of professionals and volunteers who provide hospice care. This year, National Hospice Month was even more significant because it marked a milestone in American health care: The 20th anniversary of the Medicare Hospice Benefit.
HISTORY OF HOSPICE
The hospice approach and philosophy took hold in the 1970s, and with the establishment of a hospice benefit under Medicare in 1982, quality end-of-life care soon became increasingly accessible for a rapidly growing number of patients and families in the 1980s and 1990s.
In 1975, hospice programs served fewer than 6,000 patients a year. Now, there are approximately 3,200 hospice locations serving an estimated 775,000 patients and families each year. Less than one percent of Medicare beneficiaries live in areas without access to a hospice program.
A CARING CHOICE
When patients and families choose hospice, they receive care unlike any other. Hospice goes to the patient, treats pain and symptoms with on aggressive care approach and eases the emotional and spiritual suffering of patients, families, and loved ones. A team of dedicated and caring medical experts, professionals, and members of the community makes it possible - doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, home health aides, therapists, trained volunteers, and bereavement counselors.
Under Medicare, most private insurance plans, HMOs and other managed care organizations, hospice care is available to beneficiaries and their families at little or no cost. In addition, through community contributions, memorial donations and foundation gifts, many hospices are able to provide patients who lack sufficient payment with free services.
CHALLENGES
Even so, challenges remain. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization estimates that for every patient who is receiving hospice care, there are two more who could benefit. What accounts for this? Primarily, lack of awareness. The recent Community Needs Survey conducted by the Hospice of Hope in collaboration with Saginaw Valley State University identified that 32 percent of the participants living in our service area do not know much or anything about hospice services.
This year, a survey conducted for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, found that only 15 percent of Americans know that Medicare is the primary source of coverage for hospice care. Only two out of five believe that most specialized end-of-life care is paid for by health insurance.
At the same time, those polled noted the importance of information and guidance from end-of-life care experts for patients diagnosed with life-limiting conditions. Nearly nine out of 10 Americans (88 percent) believe that patients with a life-limiting diagnosis would benefit from a consultation with end-of-life specialists to complement the care of their own physician, citing more control over end-of-life decisions, improving the patient's quality of life and diminishing the financial impact of terminal illness as the expected benefit.
HOW TO LEARN MORE
The Hospice of Hope is the source of information regarding end-of-life care. The group recently has opened an End-of-Life Lending Library to provide accurate, state-of-the-art resources for individuals and families confronted with end-of-life decisions, loss and bereavement.
Visit us at 9710 Junction Road, Frankenmuth. For more information or answers to your questions regarding care for you or a loved one, please call (989) 652-4663 or (800) 645-4421 or e-mail us at hospiceofhope@lhminc.org.
THE LEGACY BEGINS NOW
The seniors in our lives are precious &ldots; a treasure to enjoy and cherish. The staff, board and volunteers associated with Lutheran Homes of Michigan are blessed to be able to work with the elderly every day, sharing their lives and caring for them in a compassionate, Christ-centered way.
SENIOR CARE IS CHANGING
For more than 100 years, Lutheran Homes has answered the call to address the needs of Michigan's seniors. For much of that time, the focus of our commitment has been on providing skilled nursing care to some of the most frail members of our society. And while we consider that an important responsibility, we also must realize that the nature of senior care is changing.
Today's elderly want more care in their homes. When they choose to move to senior housing, they desire more independence and a greater variety of services and amenities.
Funding sources also are evolving. Today's diligent regulatory environment leaves us with greater fiscal responsibility and a need to find new ways to fund our programs and services. More than ever, we need the help of our friends and supporters to keep our ministry alive and thriving. The Lutheran Homes of Michigan Endowment Fund will be an important catalyst as we prepare for a vibrant future and create a legacy of everlasting care.
WHAT IS THE LHM ENDOWMENT FUND?
Established in 2001, the LHM Endowment Fund is our response to God's call to minister to seniors in Michigan. It will provide a secure foundation on which to build future services. Regulatory guidelines often limit the funds available for much needed services. An Endowment Fund creates a strong resource for times when other funding sources may not be available.
HOW WILL THE MONEY BE SPENT?
The Lutheran Homes Endowment Fund will be used in a variety of ways, especially to:
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Enhance current programs and services.
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Add much needed facilities and expand current space.
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Explore new areas of need and opportunity.
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Provide care for any individual, even those who face serious financial constraints.
HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?
There are a number of ways to participate. You may:
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Make a one-time financial contrition to the fund or monthly, quarterly or annual donations.
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Include the LHM Endowment Fund in your estate plan.
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Make a provision for LHM in your will or living trust.
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Contribute appreciated stock, life insurance or real property to the Fund.
A LEGACY THAT LASTS
God continues to open doors and offer light to guide our journey. Now we pray that He works in us and others to make sure the Lutheran Homes of Michigan Endowment Fund is a sound and viable asset for our future, so that our legacy is one of everlasting care for Michigan's elderly. Please consider making a gift to this important Fund, and may God richly bless you and your family.
For more information go to our website at www.LHMINC.org or contact David M. Gehm, President and CEO of Lutheran Homes of Michigan at (989) 652-3470.
LUTHERAN HOME CARE AGENCY CELEBRATES NATIONAL HOSPICE MONTH
In November 2002, the Lutheran Home Care Agency (LHCA) celebrated National Home Care and Hospice Month. The theme for the National celebration this year was "Home Care and Hospice: The Heart and Soul of Health Care in America." Throughout the months, the Agency celebrated with various luncheons honoring all divisions of the caring staff. Each team member also received a specially designed 10th Anniversary key chain with an inspirational message to be added daily during the month.
LHCA's CHRISTMAS BRUNCH
On December 14, 2002, LHCA held a festive Christmas brunch at the Candlelite Banquet Center in Bridgeport. The menu for the staff and their family members included scrambled eggs, deluxe hash browns, carved ham, waffles with assorted toppings, assorted fresh fruits and pastries. Santa Claus, who had a treat for each of the children, also made a special visit. A drawing was held for the adults to give away various prizes. It was a blessing to be able to celebrate the birth of Our Savior with LHCA family and friends.
IMPRESSIONS OF INDIA: SHARING THE HOSPICE STORY
By Nances Sheppard
Reprinted with permission from Frankenmuth News
Lynn Zuellig recently shared a special gift with people on the other side of the world. That gift is her unwavering faith, her strong beliefs and her dedication and loyalty to the concept of hospice. She shared this gift with the people of Ambur, India.
After determining that a mission was something she was ready to tackle, Lynn committed herself to MOST Ministries (Mission Opportunities Short Term). Ironically, the trip she committed to was to be made last year; however, it was postponed because of the Sept. 11 tragedy. Over a year later, Lynn finally winged her way to her destination with determination and courage in her pursuit of sharing the hospice story.
Although the team varied slightly from the original members, the current team learned to integrate quickly. In fact, two members, Dr. Vilinis Sosars, a doctor from Latvia, and Mary Anne Cassault, a chaplain from Illinois, met the remainder of the team in London. Other members were Sandra Loesel from Missouri, one of the team's two nurses, Katherine Supiano, serving as social worker, and Gail Sommerfeld, the team leader and also president, owner and founder of MOST. Both Gail and Katherine are from Ann Arbor.
With the support of the staff at Lutheran Home Care Hospice of Hope, Lynn embarked on her journey Nov. 15. Her courage and dedication to the mission and her commitment to caring was noticed and appreciated by her co-workers, allowing her to leave with a positive attitude.
She wrote in her journal, "I leave today knowing that God has His hand on my shoulder." After arriving in London, the team was complete and they set off on the next leg of their journey. "Once we met, we were a team," Lynn said. "We just gelled. The big reward was the spiritual connectedness. Together, we were advocates for salvation."
Sadly, the other member of the group, Joel Kaiser from Frankenmuth who was to serve as the other team chaplain, was unable to go with the team. Pastor Kaiser ran into difficulties in obtaining his visa, much to the dismay of his other team members.
The entire group was composed of two different teams. The first was a women's ministry team. The second group, with which Lynn was affiliated, was the hospice team. Lynn's purpose on this journey was to introduce hospice, lecturing at the Bethesda Hospital in Ambur to doctors and staff members.
"Hospice is a completely foreign and novel idea to these people. Only one pastor knew what it was and that was because he looked it up on the Internet," Lynn said. "None of the nurses even knew what hospice was."
The first impressions Lynn had of Ambur were noted in her journal - "trash refuse, buildings half built or in great need of repair, people barefoot . . . wearing saris, ox carts often pulled by children . . . electric wires and even some satellite dishes."
The first impressions given of Ambur were far from the welcome the team received from the people of Ambur.
"The people are so welcoming and kind," wrote Lynn. "They are reverent, respectful, peaceful, joyful, appreciative and loving. They always want to be touching the team."
Lynn was taken to the hospital where she would be addressing the nursing students and staff. She received a shock on the tour when she realized how little the hospital had to work with in the way of medications, equipment and facilities. Beds had no side-rails and mattresses were bare, IV's were hung from anything available that would do the job and some of the rooms were actually open and located on a portico of sorts. However, given the lack of facilities, Lynn still managed to do her job and accomplish what she had set out to do.
Lynn addressed pain symptom management, the last hours of life and how hospice plays a role in that process, and how to blend nursing care with faith. She shared her story of hospice and what joy she finds in caring for the terminally ill.
"The most difficult obstacle I encountered was how to justify hospice and the value of human life. There is not much economic support for hospice, with the main thought being that money should be spent on health care versus end of life care," Lynn explained. "The doctors asked, 'Why care for the dying if you only have so much? It should go for people you can save.'"
After answering difficult questions and addressing philosophical ideas, Lynn was able to leave with a feeling of accomplishment in knowing that the story had been told. It was not easy for her to leave the people that she had shared such a connectedness with.
On Nov. 22, Lynn left Ambur to return home. It was a day of tearful good-byes because the people she met had so profoundly affected Lynn's life. "It was very tough to leave," said Lynn. "I pray I never forget the people, the sights, the sounds, the smells, the culture, the spirit of India."
MOST Ministries has assisted 17 countries in its 14 years of service, working out of Ann Arbor and being directed by Gayle Sommerfeld. With 1,189 team members comprising 90 teams, the short-term missions include work in other countries providing construction assistance; eyeglass, medical and dental care, Christian-living instruction and hospice training, only to name a few. Mission opportunities involve a 1- or 2-week commitment.
THE GREATEST GENERATION
By Susan Bourillion, daughter of Velma Mauk, resident at the Lutheran Home Monroe
Long before Tom Brokaw dubbed the term, "The Greatest Generation," I knew my mother was part of a very special group of Americans. She has always been the shining inspiration of my life. In spite of so many hardships, she didn't spend her time complaining about the unfairness of it all. Neither did she waste time seeking the answer to the "why me" question as many later generations have done, including mine - including me. Instead, she met life bravely, standing tall throughout its trials and problems. This is her story.
My mother, Velma Mauk, was born August 18, 1912. That's the year the Titanic went down to put it into historic perspective. It was her mother's third marriage and her father's second as both had lost their spouses. Mother had lots of half-brothers and half-sisters, but she was the only child of this union. Her father died of cancer when she was eighteen months old, and her mother also died of cancer when she was seven years old.
Before she died though, she gave her little Velma Estella to a friend who had always wanted a daughter. Unfortunately, the last thing the woman's two sons wanted was a little girl joining the family. They played tricks on mother and blamed her for all their mischief. The boys' mother believed them, making her the constantly punished and soon unwanted member of the family. Less than two years later they asked one of mother's half-sisters, Ethel, and her family to take her. They did.
Ethel's family was suffering financially, and they had children of their own. After a few months her husband Jake took mother aside and explained to the nine-year-old child that there was a well-to-do older childless couple down the road. He told mother to walk down there to ask Grant and Sadie Johnston if she could live with them. If she couldn't, she would have to go to the orphanage.
So my mother, at the age of nine, bravely bundled up and walked down the road to the forty-acre farm of strangers to ask them to take her in. They said they would, and the next day Grant took the horse and buckboard to pick up Mother and her only possessions - two plates from her mother and twenty-six cents.
She got into Johnston's house and Sadie started to show her around. When mother got to the pantry, she burst into tears because she was so alone and frightened. Sadie gave her a little brown candy sack holding a few peppermints. She said, "I don't know if these will help, but they are for you." It was March 15th, and every year on that date they gave her some peppermints, a tradition our family has kept up all these years. The last few years mother has been cloudy as to why I am giving her the peppermints, but I know the reason.
She blossomed in the care of the Johnstons, and her half-brothers paid her way through nurses training after she finished high school. She became a devoted, caring nurse. In her 50 years of nursing, she often cooked or baked something special for her patients or made gifts for them. She was a wonderful wife to my father, and she was a marvelous, loving mother to my brother and me. Although she was older than many of our friends' mothers, she was truly young in spirit. She taught us how to play baseball and ride two-wheelers on the very farm where she was raised, as Grant Johnston had left it to her when he died. In fact, I had the same upstairs bedroom mother had when she was taken in by the Johnstons those many years ago.
While I have condensed most of her life into a single paragraph, my intention was to emphasize her childhood in this tribute. She had a tough time when she was a little girl. We worry so much today about single-parent homes. My mother didn't have a parent or a home. The truth was no one wanted her or stepped in to help the poor little "ragamuffin" as she was referred to in the community. In that adversity, mother might have turned into a bitter, cynical adult, but she didn't. She chose hope and love throughout her life, but the choice was hers, just as it is ours when life sends us adversity. We all make our choices, and it isn't an easy struggle for any of us. Do we go on with hope and optimism for the future, or do we wallow in despair because life has dealt us some very hard blows?
Emerson once said, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." My mother faced her early hardships and heartbreak with courage and dignity. She answered life's challenges with love, faith in God, and trust in others and herself. That's the legacy left to us by "The Greatest Generation." They had the fortitude to carry on, no matter what the circumstances were - to do their best in life, no matter what problems they encountered. I dedicate my mother's story to all of you wonderful mothers and to the surviving members of "The Greatest Generation." We thank and salute you.
"CONFECTIONARY CONSTRUCTION" AT THE LUTHERAN HOME LIVONIA
Nursing Managers at the Lutheran Home Livonia are in the "construction business" - of gingerbread houses. Nine sugar candy encrusted homes were auctioned off at our recent (3rd annual) Cookie Walk. Each home was unique in its construction and theme. There was even a church with the Lutheran Home dove symbol in the rosette window.
The Nurse Managers had taken on this project as a team work event, inspired by Staff Development Coordinator LaVona Greer. Last year LaVona had constructed one very large home that took over 15 hours to decorate. Each of the Managers decorated their respective homes. Residents, families, and cookie walk attendees enjoyed looking at the village that even included a pond. Everyone was tempted to "sample" which was acceptable, since every part of the houses were edible-even the "glass" windows.
In addition to the silent auction, the Cookie Walk was well attended and sold out in two hours. We look forward to next year when we might have a Lutheran Home Livonia Subdivision!
WHAT'S NEW ON THE LHM WEB SITE?
Michael Bell, Lutheran Homes of Michigan's Information Systems and Technology Manager, has been working diligently to update the LHM web site. One new feature that is now available is a link that enables online credit card donations to Lutheran Homes of Michigan. Other new features include:
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A link to the weather radar on the home page and a link to the 10-day weather forecast on the links page.
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An Employment Information page and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) page.
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Recently updated the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
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Online access to recent issues of Caring Spirits Newsletters.
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LHM's 2001 Volunteers of the Year including photos and the February, August, and October 2002 issues of Highlights.
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Color photos of various Lutheran Homes facilities on the Our Homes page.
Check out our web site today at www.LHMINC.org. It's a great resource for information about our homes and services, our home care agency, our mission and values, and general senior services links.