Do you have questions about hospice? Let us help in your plan of care. Call 815-635-3858When should we start hospice?
Q.
Dear Gabby,
My mom was just told that she only has a few months left to live, maybe longer, but that is uncertain. The doctor said she should start on hospice, but I am afraid that will just make her die faster. Hospice is where people go to die, and I don’t want her to feel like I have given up hope or that I want her to die sooner. How long can I wait to start her on hospice?
A.
Dear…
The first thing I want to tell you, is that you should not wait to start her on hospice. I know this is hard for you and for her but trust me when I tell you that starting her on hospice does not shorten her time, in fact, I truly believe it gives her a little more quality to the time she does have left. If you start her now, a team can come together to support her, they can be there to address any symptoms or changes she might experience.
I always wish for people to start hospice sooner rather than later for many reasons. Some people wait until they are days away from dying, after dealing with weeks or months of pain and suffering, and I know in my heart that if they started sooner, we could have found a way to reduce the discomfort to allow them a little more peace in whatever time they have left. Many times, I will meet a patient a few days, sometimes even hours, before they die, and I see their family broken from the exhaustion and heartache. If only they came on sooner, we could have helped them in so many ways.
I see so many families having a difficult time caring for their dying loved one; not having the tools or education, and not knowing how to provide care. But we do, that is what we do, and why we are here for you. We know what to do, we know how to manage symptoms, we have the tools and the team to help you navigate this difficult time.
Starting hospice sooner does not mean you are giving up hope, we encourage hope, and we want you and your mom to feel supported. Everything we do, is set with the intention of making the dying and grieving process a little less stressful, a little less painful, and always done with compassion and kindness. You deserve that and so does your mother.
Sometimes people can come off hospice because their symptoms were managed and their disease process was made more tolerable, allowing them to have more time. This doesn’t happen often, but it does happen, and it is a good example of the kind of care you can receive when you are on hospice. It may not lengthen your time, but it will bring you the support, the comfort, and the care that every human being deserves to have when they are dying.
This is from my book, "What Would Gabby Say?"
www.amazon.com/Would-Gabby-Gabrielle-Elise-Jimenez/dp/B09XBL8KKJ/ref=sr_1_4?qid=1674663342&refine... ... See MoreSee Less
Registered Nurse Job in Sterling, IL at HOSPICE OF THE ROCK RIVER VALLEY ... See MoreSee Less
OFFICE will be Closed
DUE TO WEATHER ON FRIDAY, December 23rd! Please stay safe and warm. ❄️❄️
As always, our phone lines will be open if needed. ... See MoreSee Less
Outreach & Fundraising Coordinator Position available at Rock River Hospice & Home.
Purpose: Supports the mission and Strategic Direction of Hospice through public relations, communication and partnerships in the community. Oversees development/fundraising programs as directed by the organization.
Reports To: Executive Director
Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Non-Profit Management, Fundraising, or equivalent experience. Experience in health care or hospice preferred. Excellent organization and planning skills. Strong written and verbal communication abilities. Experience in outreach and fundraising campaigns preferred. Ability to handle multiple projects and effectively prioritize workflow. Must be skilled in research, development, implementation, and evaluation of multifaceted development programming. Experience with use of social media and web-based outreach and fundraising preferred.
Responsibilities (including, but not limited to):
• Research, create, oversee, implement and evaluate a comprehensive development strategy for the organization incorporating an array of fundraising approaches including, but not limited to: memorial giving, individual annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, corporate, foundation and organizational grants, fundraising events, donor recognition and cultivation, and capital campaign.
• Conduct bi-annual market assessments and implement and evaluate comprehensive marketing plan in response to findings and budgetary projections
• Establish and maintain a positive working relationship with current and potential referral and donor sources through regular in person.
• Report any referral concerns to RRHH leadership.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive outreach contact program to connect our services to the needs of those seeking service.
• Identify and recommend areas of opportunity for RRHH where community and clinical partnerships may be enhanced to ensure RRHH is the preferred hospice care provider.
• Provide annual written report to Board of Directors/ED for Marketing/Strategic Planning evaluating the outcomes of outreach and fundraising efforts.
• Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development and maintains and upgrades professional knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participating in continuing education, in-service classes and staff meetings including staying current on trends in the development field that could benefit/affect Hospice and its mission.
• Develop and monitor revenue projections and expense budgets for development functions and complete all fiscal and reporting functions as required.
• Monitor census and be proactive in recognizing the need to increase marketing / outreach efforts to increase the organization’s awareness and impact among important constituencies.
• Spearhead strategic message development for consumer, provider, professional and donor communications efforts through public relations, news media, collateral materials, etc.
• Support the Executive Director on special efforts as requested, such as board communications, local speaking engagements, and other significant communications and presentations related to the organization which may include weekends and evenings.
• Perform other related duties as requested.
• Adhere to the practice of confidentiality regarding patients, families, staff and the organization.
Professionalism
Begins work on time/works scheduled hours; keeps absences within guidelines.
Complete any annual required training.
Keep abreast of policies and procedures.
Dress appropriately for position in accordance with agency dress code policy.
Adapt to changes in the work environment.
Communications
Keeps others adequately informed as needed.
Exhibits good listening and comprehension.
Maintain effective and Professional relations.
Patient/Client Relations
Treat patients/families with respect and compassion.
Respect confidentiality.
Support social/spiritual/cultural needs of others.
Respond to needs of patients as appropriate.
Solicit/apply customer feedback to improve service.
Planning & Organization
Set and achieve goals and objectives for Marketing/Strategic Planning
Prioritizes and plans work activities.
Coordinates with other teams members to complete agency initiatives.
Critical Thinking
Identify and resolves problems in a timely manner.
Gathers and analyze information objectively.
Assesse/respond quickly in emergency situations.
Exhibits sound judgment/requires minimal supervision.
Quality
Monitor own work to ensure quality.
Work within ethical standards.
Environmental Safety
Use equipment and materials properly.
Complete annual TB testing in month due if required.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1. Excellent verbal, written, and nonverbal communication and interpersonal skills.
2. Personal qualities to work effectively with hospice families, staff and community members.
3. Understanding of and commitment to the hospice concept, philosophy, and program.
4. A desire for continual personal and professional growth and development.
5. Physical ability to lift twenty (20) pounds.
To apply:
Send Resumes to:
Emily Taylor, Executive Director
2706 Ave E
Sterling, IL 61081
Or email:
Emily@hospicerockriver.org ... See MoreSee Less
We are HIRING RN's for our in-patient and out-patient services.
Registered Nurse (RN)
You’ll find more than a job at Rock River Hospice & Home, you’ll find a family of dedicated professionals providing care in the communities we serve. You can become a part of our team.
Seeking a full-time nurse for our outpatient hospice services team that will be cross trained to work with our inpatient services. And Vice Versa. Nurses are responsible for direct patient care and participate with the interdisciplinary team to coordinate patient care and services. All individuals must have an IL license. Knowledge & experience of hospice services & philosophy preferred.
Computer skills & reliable transportation required.
EOE
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Standard shift:
On call
Overtime
Weekly schedule:
Monday to Friday
Weekend availability
License/Certification:
RN (Required)
Work Location: One location
Please send resumes to:
Emily Taylor, Executive Director
2706 Ave E
Sterling, IL 61081
or email to
emily@hospicerockriver.org ... See MoreSee Less