Page 42 - La Vita template (3)

Making Every Moment Count

Photo by Judith A. Habert

When we hear the word “hospice” many of us are filled with a deep hearts when we heard about a patient, a middle aged man suffering
level of sadness. What we have learned after spending some time from end stage renal disease that felt he just couldn’t do dialysis
with Jill Mendlen, RN, founder & CEO of LightBridge Hospice & anymore. His dying wish was to leave a living legacy in the form of
Palliative Care, is that hospice is not about dying, it is really about a legacy garden at the nursing home where he lived. Volunteers
living life to its fullest. With over 75 staff members and numerous and staff of LightBridge got together and contacted Home Depot
volunteers, LightBridge is one of the most well respected hospice who donated materials to help with the garden. Alert Ambulance
providers in San Diego. What makes LightBridge different than also joined in and volunteered to take him to pick out the plants for
other hospices is the incredibly dedicated staff. The amount of ex- his garden. In a few short weeks his dream became a reality thanks
pert care and compassion they bring to their patients is what makes to a group of amazing individuals who wanted to be sure his wish
them unique. was fulfilled. This is only one of the many examples of kindness that
The mark of a great organization is the people who are a part of is provided by LightBridge staff and volunteers.
it. After speaking with Jill Mendlen it is easy to understand why We asked Jill, who would be a candidate to receive hospice care?
LightBridge is so well respected in the industry. Jill honestly cares “If a patient is diagnosed with a terminal disease or illness and it is
about patients and their families, but she also cares about each and determined that they have six months or less to live if the disease
every member of the team. Started in 2003, Jill was determined to follows its normal course, they would qualify for hospice care.”
assure the highest level of quality. A decision was made to obtain Hospice provides a group of professionals who come together as
accreditation from The Joint Commission. The Joint Commission an interdisciplinary team to care for every aspect of the patient and
is the recognized leader in setting the highest standards for quality family’s needs. The team includes a registered nurse case manager
who coordinates care and pain
management, a social worker,
a spiritual care counselor, a
home health aide, volunteers,
and a Medical Director who
oversees the patient’s hospice
care and works collaboratively
with the patient’s primary phy-
42 sician. The patient’s and their
family’s needs are reassessed
on a regular basis to determine
if there are changes in their
care needs.
The LightBridge team works
continuously to add ways to
enrich the journey for their
patients. The recent addi-
tion of an Integrative Therapy
and safety in the delivery of healthcare. LightBridge has continually Program brings Aromatherapy, Healing Touch and Music to their
exceeded the required criteria on every reaccreditation survey. patients and families. The integrative approach compliments tradi-
Hospice is the only area within the healthcare system where the tional Western medicine and helps to relieve anxiety and pain, while
care extends beyond just the patient to each member of the family providing comfort.
who is involved in their loved one’s care. Staff and volunteers lend Another innovative program from LightBridge is Ohr Ami-The Jew-
support and a caring presence to answer questions, allay fears, and ish Hospice Program. Ohr Ami, a Hebrew phrase that means “Light
provide a safe haven to express the myriad of emotions that occur of my People”, provides services that are rooted in an understand-
for patients and families during this difficult time. Sometimes the ing and appreciation of Judaism and Jewish life. LightBridge was
patient is scared and upset about leaving loved ones behind, but the first hospice in San Diego County with a program specifically
is reticent to share his or her feelings with family since they realize dedicated to the needs and concerns of the Jewish community.
how difficult a time it is for those who love them. Hospice provides “Many times people avoid choosing hospice care for their loved
spiritual counselors, social workers and health care profession- ones because they think it is only for the last days of life, or that it
als who take time to listen. Even after the death of a loved one, is a death sentence and they are giving up”, states Jill. There are
LightBridge is there for a full year to provide bereavement counsel- times when patients get better and even come off hospice care.
ing to family members. Often when a patient knows that there will Hospice brings all the care and support that a patient needs at this
be someone there to look after their loved ones the dying process time in their life. They definitely benefit from all of the extra special
becomes considerably easier to endure. attention. Even if they don’t end up getting better, national studies
Jill and the staff of LightBridge view the opportunity to help termi- have shown that even with an aggressive disease, such as pancre-
nally ill patients through their last months as an honor. Jill adds, atic cancer, patients live longer on hospice with an improved quality
“When patients and their families invite us in to take this journey of life. LightBridge provides the care and support to make the most
with them, I view it as a sacred honor. I feel privileged to work with a of these special days.
team of consummate professionals who share this belief.” For more information on LightBridge Hospice & Palliative Care visit
Not only do the members of LightBridge do an incredible job caring www.LightBridgeHospice.com or call (858)458-2992
for their patients, they go the extra mile to assure that they are com-
fortable and secure in their final days. A recent story touched our
November/December 2010