Friends of Hospice donate music system to hospital

Mary Ann Lincoln, Tricia Grantham, Rosalie Harms, Bob Ingalls, Kathleen Haley, Sue Graves, Rita Ackerman, Annie Pillers and Marcie Gilliland stand in the chapel at Whitman Hospital where Friends of Hospice presented a music system to the hospital for patients receiving end of life care. Graves holds a quilt made by Judy McMurray of By His Stripes Ministry.

The Friends of Hospice donated a music system to Whitman Hospital Friday.

The music system is part of a collaboration between the hospital and Friends of Hospice to provide comfortable end of life care for patients and families.

Sue Graves (RN, MSN), case manager at Whitman Hospital, accepted the gift from the group with gratitude.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “This is an incredible blessing to be able to provide this. I’m really, really grateful.”

Additionally, Graves showed the group a quilt sewn by Judy McMurray of By His Stripes Ministry. The group sews quilts for hospice patients to have in the hospital. Families can keep the quilt after their loved one passes away.

Graves hopes to make several improvements to the room designated at the hospital for end-of- life care in order to make it a more welcoming and homey environment. Improvements she hopes to make include turning the bed so that it faces the window, painting the room with a soothing color, adding a comfortable rocking recliner, improving the decorations, adding window treatments, covering the bed with a bedspread and adding cabinetry to medical equipment above the bed to cover it.

“It’s already a beautiful room,” she said.

With everything the groups are doing to make the room and environment more comfortable, they hope to help people see that a good death can happen in the hospital. Additionally, they hope to change the perspective of hospice.

“Hospice is the beginning of a new journey,” Graves said. “It’s a true privilege and an honor to be part of this.”

One thing in particular these groups want to be able to accomplish is helping people to seek hospice care sooner.

“We believe when families are supported at the end of life, it eases suffering and reduces fear,” said Annie Pillers of Friends of Hospice.

The Friends of Hospice website describes advanced care planning and why it’s important for families.

“Advanced care planning is a thoughtful, intentional, and meaningful process wherein one reflects upon and discusses what’s important to him or her if faced with a life-limiting illness or suddenly experiences a life-threatening injury.

Graves said hospice is about treating the patient and the family and ensuring that their needs are taken care of during a difficult time.

“Hospice is a fabulous team approach to end of life care,” she said. “It’s just a beautiful experience for the family.”

Graves said she hopes other community organizations will help accomplish the changes to the room. She said the physicians at Whitman Hospital are committed to excellence and care, and the changes and improvements she hopes to make in the room will make things better for everyone involved.