Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - North Mississippi - (Page 7)

Lingering Memories B NMMC Hospice memorial service includes butterfly release Families of former NMMC Hospice patients gather to release butterflies. utterflies have always held a special meaning for Carolyn Boren of Booneville, but they took on an even greater meaning after the North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice memorial service. Each year, a memorial service is held for those families who have lost a loved one in hospice over the past year. The most recent service, in May, was the first time a butterfly release was part of the ceremony. Boren’s husband, John, passed away after less than one month in the care of NMMC Hospice. “The service was a unique experience for me,” Boren says. “It was a real reflection on his time with hospice, and I wanted to be there to experience that with them.” Finding Closure In May 2010, Boren’s son passed away. “My husband would sit on the porch and watch butterflies in our yard,” she says. “He always said butterflies made him think of our son. So, not too long after John passed away, I got the letter saying they were doing their first butterfly release. It touched my heart so much … that they came up with this idea right after he passed. It puts some closure to what you are feeling to be able to release that butterfly.” Boren says her experience with NMMC Hospice was the best experience she and her family could have hoped for. “It was his dying wish to stay at home, and without them that would not have been possible,” she says. “They gave spiritual advice when we needed it, as well as keeping us very informed of what was happening, what we needed to do and what to expect. It gave our kids a chance to be here with him when he passed.” A Unique Kind of Care north Mississippi Medical Center Hospice is a specialized program of care emphasizing the management of pain and other symptoms (including psychological, emotional, social and spiritual needs) associated with terminal illness. the hospice staff also provides help for patients’ family members, including bereavement care up to 13 months. Who is eligible for hospice care? • a patient whose physician and family choose comfort care • a patient with a life-limiting illness whose life expectancy is measured in weeks or months, not years • a patient with a primary caregiver who is willing to participate in home care In addition to at-home care, NMMC Hospice services are also available at: • Baldwyn nursing Facility • Calhoun Health services, Calhoun City • Cedars Health Center/the greenhouses, tupelo • dugan Memorial Home, west point • golden living Centers in tupelo, amory, eupora and ripley • graceland Care Center, pontotoc • nMMC-eupora nursing Home • nMMC-pontotoc nursing Home Visit www.nmhs.net/hospice.php to learn more. Healing witH Hope “Some days, you sit around, and you feel sad about what happened. But then I think about that butterfly release, and how special it was to me, and it makes me have hope that things are going to get better,” Boren says. The next memorial service will be held May 12, 2012. For more information, call 800-THE DESK (800-843-3375). To learn more about NMMC Hospice care and the services provided, visit www.nmhs.net/hospice.php. In Trying Times, Let Hospice Help online Vim & Vigor • WI N TER 2011 7 http://www.nmhs.net/hospice.php http://www.nmhs.net/hospice.php

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - North Mississippi
Contents
Opening Thoughts
Getting Back to Life
ACT Now!
Lingering Memories
Accumulating Accolades
Back in Action
Supplementary Knowledge
Keys to Survival
Clearing the Air
Mark Harmon of NCIS fame makes 60 look good
This One’s for the Girls
Life After a Loss
Do Your Diabetes Homework
Healthy Returns
Care for the Caregiver
Gaining Control
Moving Forward
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - North Mississippi