Samaritan's patients and families allow us the privilege of entering their homes and their lives to offer support at a delicate time. It is an honor that we value and those experiences have shaped our organization.
As we reflect back on our 30 years of caring for South Jersey families coping with serious illness and grief, we would like to know how we have affected you. Please share your thoughts with us by clicking on the "Comment" link below.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Creating Lasting Memories: One Family’s End-of-Life Journey
Madlyn with Massage Therapist Margie Neil“I’m not ready to die yet,” Madlyn Flannick, 92, told a friend who suggested she call Samaritan Hospice in October of 2008 to help care for her and her heart disease.
“You don’t have to die right now,” her friend, and Samaritan Hospice volunteer Marian Fink, replied.
Madlyn thought about it and said, “If I don’t have to die right now, I’ll join.”
“You don’t have to die right now,” her friend, and Samaritan Hospice volunteer Marian Fink, replied.
Madlyn thought about it and said, “If I don’t have to die right now, I’ll join.”
Madlyn, who lived alone, was enrolled in Samaritan’s Transitions program for those not quite ready for hospice care. After recovering from a stroke, and experiencing a progression of her heart disease, Madlyn moved in with family and transitioned to Samaritan’s hospice program in June 2009.
Madlyn now lives surrounded by the love of her daughter, Mary, son-in-law, Al and two granddaughters: Megan, 22 and Kelly, 18. In a recent letter to Samaritan Hospice, Madlyn wrote, “I wish to send my heartfelt thanks for your kindness. Without your help, I would not be able to live with my family.”
Now all under one roof, the family reminisces about stories from Madlyn’s younger years growing up as the sixth of nine children; her career as a hairdresser and cosmetologist that continued even after she officially retired at the age of 75; and her renowned baked goods. These days Madlyn’s son-in-law makes the cookies while she “engineers” and she agrees to help granddaughter Kelly make “her” pumpkin pie.
“I never knew there was so much, that there was anything like this,” says Madlyn of Samaritan Hospice services. “I get attention I never got before. I can’t believe it.” Samaritan Hospice provides Madlyn and her family with visits from nurses, a social worker, chaplain, certified home health aide, volunteer, massage therapist and music therapist. They also receive medications and medical equipment delivered to their home at no charge.
As Madlyn’s illness progresses, the staff and volunteers of Samaritan Hospice are there to offer the family comfort, support and education; and to provide them the opportunity to spend special moments with each other in the comfort of the family’s home.
Samaritan’s staff doesn’t only give; they also receive a lot from Madlyn. Her smile brings them joy and her stories provide them happiness. “There’s some type of a connection to her, some twinkle in her eye,” said social worker Sherri Brake. “There’s just something about her that makes you feel very connected to her, and I think whatever that is she would say it’s some kind of a higher power. It makes you feel like you’ve known her forever.”
Madlyn also shares her philosophy on life with all who walk through her door, “If everybody took care of one person, then everybody would be taken care of,” she says whole-heartedly. Madlyn has done her share of taking care of many people throughout her life, and now it is the turn of her family and the healthcare professionals of Samaritan Hospice to take care of her.
Madlyn now lives surrounded by the love of her daughter, Mary, son-in-law, Al and two granddaughters: Megan, 22 and Kelly, 18. In a recent letter to Samaritan Hospice, Madlyn wrote, “I wish to send my heartfelt thanks for your kindness. Without your help, I would not be able to live with my family.”
Now all under one roof, the family reminisces about stories from Madlyn’s younger years growing up as the sixth of nine children; her career as a hairdresser and cosmetologist that continued even after she officially retired at the age of 75; and her renowned baked goods. These days Madlyn’s son-in-law makes the cookies while she “engineers” and she agrees to help granddaughter Kelly make “her” pumpkin pie.
“I never knew there was so much, that there was anything like this,” says Madlyn of Samaritan Hospice services. “I get attention I never got before. I can’t believe it.” Samaritan Hospice provides Madlyn and her family with visits from nurses, a social worker, chaplain, certified home health aide, volunteer, massage therapist and music therapist. They also receive medications and medical equipment delivered to their home at no charge.
As Madlyn’s illness progresses, the staff and volunteers of Samaritan Hospice are there to offer the family comfort, support and education; and to provide them the opportunity to spend special moments with each other in the comfort of the family’s home.
Samaritan’s staff doesn’t only give; they also receive a lot from Madlyn. Her smile brings them joy and her stories provide them happiness. “There’s some type of a connection to her, some twinkle in her eye,” said social worker Sherri Brake. “There’s just something about her that makes you feel very connected to her, and I think whatever that is she would say it’s some kind of a higher power. It makes you feel like you’ve known her forever.”
Madlyn also shares her philosophy on life with all who walk through her door, “If everybody took care of one person, then everybody would be taken care of,” she says whole-heartedly. Madlyn has done her share of taking care of many people throughout her life, and now it is the turn of her family and the healthcare professionals of Samaritan Hospice to take care of her.
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