Spiritual Care Week 2019

-
Diane McDonald, MA, FT
In honor of Spiritual Care Week, October 20-26, we asked Angela Hospice's Director of Spiritual Care, Diane McDonald, to tell us about her work. Diane has been with Angela Hospice since 2016 as supervisor of the Spiritual Care team.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?
I find most rewarding the opportunity to touch people’s lives at possibly one of their weakest moments.

Can you describe an especially memorable story about working at Angela Hospice?
Each patient, family, and staff member are memorable but if I had to choose one it would be my witness of a healing/reconciliation between a mother and son.

What inspired you to pursue work in your field?
Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson has inspired me from when I was a young child all the way through my adult ministerial life. One of his quotes is: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” I want to touch people’s lives because I am an expression of God and we are one in the human family.

You’d be surprised how the man inspires me to this day. And, how I got the privilege of
talking with his wife and family. (He’s been deceased since 1972).

What makes spiritual care so important in hospice?
Spiritual Care is so important because all human beings have at their core a "search for meaning." We can improve patient/family/staff spiritual well-being by meeting the spiritual needs people have on the journey through life. We believe in whole person centered care; health in mind, body and spirit; and genuine love and compassion that we so freely give.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Room for Brian

-
Image
   Angela Hospice's donor-supported Care Center     provided Brian with the care he needed -- and        brought his family peace of mind. The Angela Hospice Care Center has always been a community-driven labor of love. From its construction in the early 1990s; to its expansion a decade and a half later; and right through to the present, where day-to-day operations are supported by the generosity of donors and friends – the Care Center is a rare and valuable community resource made possible by Angela Hospice’s caring supporters. It’s also a godsend for families like the Wilson’s. When their son came to stay with them over Christmas last year, the brain tumor he had been determined to fight for nearly 11 years began to overcome him. At 30 years old, Brian was 6’2” and his disease had progressed to the point that he could no longer walk on his own. How would his parents take care of him in their home that was not wheelchair accessible? The Angela Hospice Care Center prov
Read more

Volunteer Spotlight: Ingrid Lasley

-
Image
Name: Ingrid Lasley How long have you been a volunteer? I started volunteering about 2 ½ years ago. What areas do you work in/what sort of tasks do you do as a volunteer? I cover the receptionist desk for lunch hours, which includes telephone calls. I have covered Tree of Life shifts for the past 2 years and plan to volunteer again this season. I also have been involved in numerous mailings and last year’s Walk of Remembrance. What made you decide to become a volunteer? I stopped working a few years ago and decided I could use my spare time best by volunteering. I am enjoying every minute! Why Angela Hospice? Ingrid with fellow volunteer Geri Orlowski My mother passed away in 2012 in Buffalo, NY, and after witnessing the treatment my mother received at a hospice facility there, I knew I wanted to be part of such a kind and caring group. What is your favorite part about volunteering? I have enjoyed meeting so many people who have demonstrated so many ways one can g
Read more

Detroit Catholic Central Moms Celebrate Hospice Workers During COVID-19

-
Image
A group of Detroit Catholic Central High School moms decided they wanted to do something special for our clinical staff, who have been working so hard in the midst of this stressful COVID-19 health crisis. The women coordinated with nurse Kelly Campbell, Home Care Clinical Supervisor for Angela Hospice, whose son recently graduated from Catholic Central. On Wednesday, the group set up 40 handmade signs outside our Care Center facility and along the driveway, to encourage and cheer our healthcare workers. They also tied big white ribbons around the trees to show support for front-line medical staff. Helen Balmforth, Angela Hospice Development and Special Events Manager, related that some staff members teared up when they saw what the Catholic Central moms had done. “I think, for some, it’s an emotional release to see that,” Helen explained. “I think it has a real impact on people.” The group also brought two large cases of toilet paper. Each roll is individually wrapped so staff
Read more