Iowa City Hospice thanks the The University of Iowa’s Music Therapy Club and attendees to the concert on Sunday February 12th!

The U of I Music Therapy Club held a Jazz Benefit Concert for Iowa City Hospice with a program that included Take the “A” Train, More Than You Know, On The Sunny Side of the Street, to name a few. The singers were accompanied by Matt Logan, guitar, Gino DeLuca, piano, Justin LeDuc, drums and Drew Morton, bass.

Attendees generously donated to the event from a “wish list” of items needed for care and the organization as well as financial gifts.

On behalf of all of us at Iowa City Hospice, thank you for the beautiful music and support of our care!

This is an ongoing support group for those who have lost a spouse or partner within the last three years. This professionally led group will explore emotions, develop coping strategies, and promote healing in a safe, supportive, and confidential environment.

Dates: March 14 & 28, April 11 & 25, May 9 & 23, June 13 & 27, July 11 & 25, Aug 8 & 22, Sept 12 & 26, Oct 10 & 24, Nov 14 & 28, and Dec 12 & 26

For more information and to RSVP please contact Gail Garwood at 319-688-4217 or email her at Gail.Garwood@IowaCityHospice.org

This is an educational and social networking program designed for anyone who has had a significant loss. Individuals will receive education, support, and resources that enable them to learn how to better live with loss. A unique program will be offered on the first Wednesday of every month from 5:15pm – 6:15pm.

March 7th Program: “Cooking Through Grief: Quick, Delicious, and Good for You”
Hy-Vee East, 812 South First Avenue, Iowa City, IA, 5:15pm – 6:15pm

This program will offer recipes, ways to prepare meals, portion control strategies, healthy eating habits, and the chance to meet and interact with other bereaved. Please join Iowa City Hospice staff and Hy-Vee Registered Dietician, Cathy Gehris, as she shares cooking tips and demonstrates a quick healthy meal.

For more information and to RSVP please contact Gail Garwood at 319-688-4217 or email her at Gail.Garwood@IowaCityHospice.org

Iowa City Hospice has elected three new board members. They are: Allison Law,
Vice President, Senior Housing, Eli Wynes, Investment Services, University of Iowa Community Credit Union and Dean Carrington, Attorney, Phelan, Tucker, Mullen, Walker, Tucker & Gelman, L.L.P.
Officers elected for 2012 are: Cindy Penney, Vice President of Nursing at Mercy
Iowa City, Chair; Lori Leggins, Vice President Twinkle Company of West Liberty, Chair-elect; Elizabeth Coulter, Reverend, New Song Episcopal Church, Secretary; Mike Messier, The Messier Group, Treasurer; and Steve Roe, Administrator and CFO of Oaknoll in Iowa City, Past-chair.

Continuing board members include: Mary Adamek, Area Head, Music Therapy Program, The University of Iowa School of Music; Tara Clark, Assistant Director, Department of Social Services, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics; Brad Langguth, Sr. Vice President, Commercial Banking, Hills Bank & Trust Company; Doug Ruppert, Attorney, Meardon Law Office; and Bruce VanHouweling, M.D.

Once in a while, I hear a story from one of our hospice partners that makes me stop in my tracks in awe. There are plenty of ways that Pet Peace of Mind helps patients and pets, but what about others who come into contact with the program? I’ll let our Pet Peace of Mind Coordinator, Sarah Neary, from Iowa City Hospice tell the story:

“As Volunteer Program Coordinator, I field calls from all sorts of people interested in volunteering for our hospice. Some calls come from people who have been touched in some way by hospice. They want to help, but not all volunteer opportunities are appropriate for people who have suffered a recent loss. That was true of Molly and her daughter Sara. Their beloved husband and dad was one of our patients and our staff knew them well. Molly and Sara wanted to give back to Iowa City Hospice in some way and they wanted to volunteer. Our Pet Peace of Mind program was just getting off the ground at that time and I thought it would be a great way for them to be involved in hospice without the intense emotional involvement of direct patient volunteering. The death of their loved one was too recent and Sara was only a freshman in high school. Molly shared with me that while the whole family was still struggling with the loss, Sara seemed to be pulling away–she was quiet and withdrawn. I encouraged them to come to our Pet Peace of Mind “Launch Party.” There, they learned about the program, met other volunteers, helped put treat bags and cat toys together and by the time it was over, they were signed up to volunteer. Sara, quiet Sara, even came up with the plan to coordinate a fundraiser for Pet Peace of Mind at her high school. I encouraged her to pursue the idea.

Two months later, I got a call from the high school guidance counselor at Sara’s high school. She described the enthusiasm with which Sara and her classmates had collected donations for Pet Peace of Mind. She told me the strategy of friendly competition Sara used to get the maximum donations from each class. For each donation made, each class received a certain length of duct tape. By the end of the donation week (which coincided with Homecoming Week), each class got to use their duct tape allotment to tape their favorite teacher to the wall! You can see in the photo that teachers are taped to the wall under the banner, “We’re stuck on Pet Peace of Mind!” The counselor also described a positive change in Sara–a blossoming of confidence and esteem that comes with accomplishing something with meaning. Sara was able to honor her dad and Iowa City Hospice in a very tangible way, and by her own initiative.

Sara’s project has been a boon to our Pet Peace of Mind program. She and her fellow students collected 775 pounds of dry food, 58 pounds of treats, 190 cans of canned food, 42 pounds of cat litter with liners, scoops and litter boxes, pet toys, collars, clothes, leashes, bones, balls and Frisbees. Our patients and pets will benefit from her efforts for a long time to come. And how is Sara doing? Well, she continues to volunteer regularly by walking one of our patient’s dogs and has decided she wants to be a hospice nurse when she grows up. Stay tuned.”

The Classy Chassy Cruisers have selected Iowa City Hospice as their 2012 charity! They presented Iowa City Hospice with a $2,000 check at their December meeting. Thank you Cruisers!

Please join us for an annual Valentine’s Day celebration on Saturday February 11th. This social gathering includes a luncheon and is designed for anyone who has experienced the death of a spouse or partner. You are welcome to bring a friend or family member. It is co-sponsored by Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service and Iowa City Hospice.

Saturday, February 11, 11am-1pm.
Kirkwood Room at Govenor’s Ridge, 515 Kirkwood Ave, Iowa City, IA
The cost is $5 per person and is payable at the door.

Please RSVP to Lensing Funeral & Cremation Services at 319-338-8171 or Bereavement@IowaCityHospice.org

Iowa City Hospice Wish List 2012

Office Supplies:

• Antibacterial wipes
• Binder clips (small, medium and large)
• Black pens
• Copy paper
• File folders
• Garbage bags (large and small)
• Ice melt
• Highlighters (yellow)
• Light bulbs (60-100 watt)
• Paper towels
• Permanent black markers
• Post-it notes (all sizes and colors)
• Steno pads
• Toilet paper
• Tissues; used for bereavement purposes (Puffs or Kleenex brand)
• Ziploc bags

KUL and ROLL Support Groups for children and youth:

• Glue (small bottles or glue sticks)
• Crayons/markers
• Construction paper
• Ribbon (fabric – lots of different colors)
• Gift certificates to Pagliai’s Pizza (everyone has
pizza, fruit, juice and water together)
• Capri Sun drinks and bottled water

Patient Care Supplies: Items must be unopened, unused and have
current dating unless otherwise noted

• Oral Balance Dry Mouth Moisturizer
• Vaseline Intensive Lip Therapy
• Baby lotion and shampoo (lavender, vanilla and/or regular scented)
• Boost supplements (any flavor; diabetic and regular needed)
• Small pump antibiotic hand soap (any brand)
• Kitty litter; for ecologically safe medication wasting (any size or brand)
• Zipper plastic bags (such as Ziploc – any size or brand)
• Non-skid socks/slippers (any brand, color or size)
• Baby monitors; can be used (any brand)
• Portable CD players; can be used (any brand)
• Antibacterial hand gel (any strength/any brand)
• Saline eye drops (any brand)
• Adult incontinence garments; tab or pull-ups
• Incontinence pads; male or female
• Aquaphillic lotion
• A & D ointment
• Zinc-based protective ointment (such as Desitin)
• Alcohol-free mouthwash (any brand/prefer small bottles)
• Distilled water; 2 gallon jugs
• Pill boxes, cutters and crushers; can be used if in good condition
• Hot/cold packs; gel or instant
• Nail clippers and files
• Self-adhesive warm packs (such as Thermacare – any size & brand)
• Alcohol swabs and bottle