Staying vital and connected can help you ward off the depression that often comes with aging. Here are simple things you can do, even from your own home.
10 Easy Ways Seniors Can Boost Their Mental Health and Well-Being
Community Hospice Recognizes Volunteers
April 28, 2017
For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Kristin Mostowski | Director of Public Relations, Community Hospice | Kristin.Mostowski@hospiceheart.org | 209.578.6301
Community Hospice Recognizes Volunteers
MODESTO, CA (April 27, 2017) – Community Hospice the oldest and largest nonprofit hospice provider in the Central Valley celebrated and recognized their volunteers at their annual A World of Thanks Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and Award Ceremony on April 12, 2017. All volunteers received a certificate of recognition, several volunteers were recognized for outstanding service and dedication to the mission of Community Hospice and four dedicated volunteers were awarded the 2016 Mary Jean Coeur-Barron Volunteer of the Year Award. Named after the co-founder of Community Hospice, the awards are given each year to four volunteers for their outstanding service and spirit of excellence. One volunteer is chosen from the following: Community Hospice, Friends of Community Hospice, Community Hospice Hope Chest Thrift Stores and Camp Erin® of the Central Valley.
The Mary Jean Couer-Barron Community Hospice Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Inez Lewis. Ms. Lewis not only provides compassionate support to patients in their homes, facilities, and at the Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House, she is an outspoken supporter of Community Hospice and has dedicated numerous hours providing education to the community at various community events.
The Mary Jean Couer-Barron Friends of Community Hospice Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Mrs. Claudia Krausnick; current president of the Friends of Community Hospice. Mrs. Krausnick has served in many capacities to support the fundraising efforts of Community Hospice Foundation. She has played a significant role in the success of the silent and live auctions for the Foundation Annual Gala, the Santa Shares Breakfast as well as other events.
Mr. Wayne Burton was awarded the Mary Jean Couer- Barron Hope Chest Thrift Store volunteer of the year. Mr. Burton’s passion is serving in the book department at the Community Hospice Hope Chest Thrift store in Oakdale. He spends many hours keeping the books organized so that customers can easily find particular books or authors. Through his endless efforts and dedication, he has sold more than 8,700 books since January 1, 2017.
The 2016 Mary Jean Coeur-Barron Camp Erin of the Central Valley award was given to Mr. Bob Taylor. Mr. Taylor has served as a cabin buddy for Camp Erin for the Central Valley for the past three years. His dedication to supporting our campers along their grief journey has been a blessing to many in our community.
In 2016, more than 500 volunteers contributed 24,413 hours in support of the Community Hospice mission. “Volunteers are the heart of Community Hospice and we are blessed to have so many community residents give their time and talents to support our mission,” said C. DeSha McLeod, President and CEO of Community Hospice. “We are grateful for all our volunteers that help support our patients and their families, and the programs we provide our communities.”
To learn more about volunteer opportunities or any of Community Hospice’s programs or services, visit hospiceheart.org or call 209.578.6300.
Photo Caption: The 2016 Mary Jean Coeur-Barron Volunteer of the Year Award Winners (From Left to Right) Claudia Krausnick, Wayne Burton and Inez Lewis. (Not pictured: Bob Taylor)
About Community Hospice
Community Hospice is the largest and oldest nonprofit hospice agency in the Central Valley. Serving the community since 1979, Community Hospice has cared for thousands of friends and neighbors offering compassionate and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and families, regardless of ability to pay. Care extends to over 200 patients each year in private homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and at the only inpatient hospice facility serving Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, the 16-bed inpatient Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House. Community Hospice also provides bereavement and grief support to anyone in the community. For more information, please call (209) 578-6300 or visit hospiceheart.org.
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Community Hospice named one of the Best Places to Work: Central Valley
April 28, 2017
For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Kristin Mostowski | Director of Public Relations, Community Hospice | Kristin.Mostowski@hospiceheart.org | 209.578.6301
Community Hospice named one of the Best Places to Work: Central Valley
MODESTO, CA (April 28, 2017) – Community Hospice the oldest and largest nonprofit hospice provider in the Central Valley was recognized in April at the Dust Bowl Brewery and named alongside nine other organizations as one of the Best Places to Work in the Central Valley.
Best Places to Work: Central Valley is a program that surveys companies that are eligible and wish to participate. Companies must be located in Merced, San Joaquin or Stanislaus counties, have been in business for at least a year and have no less than 15 full- or part-time permanent employees.
“Community Hospice is honored to have earned the distinction of being one of the Best Places to Work in the Central Valley,” said C. DeSha McLeod, President/CEO of Community Hospice. “Our employees are the vessel for our mission and we strive to maintain a healthy and nourishing environment for staff to flourish in and enjoy. We would not be able to provide compassionate and quality care to our community without our amazing staff. Our dedication to our patients, families and to one another is what makes Community Hospice one of the Best Places to Work.”
All companies that participated in the 2017 Best Places to Work: Central Valley program receive an in-depth evaluation identifying strengths and weaknesses according to their employees. In turn, this report can be used in developing or enhancing employee retention and recruitment programs.
Best Places to Work: Central Valley is brought to you by Opportunity Stanislaus, Prime Shine Car Wash, and the Modesto Chamber of Commerce.
About Community Hospice
Community Hospice is the largest and oldest nonprofit hospice agency in the Central Valley. Serving the community since 1979, Community Hospice has cared for thousands of friends and neighbors offering compassionate and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and families, regardless of ability to pay. Care extends to over 200 patients each year in private homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and at the only inpatient hospice facility serving Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, the 16-bed inpatient Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House. Community Hospice also provides bereavement and grief support to anyone in the community. For more information, please call (209) 578-6300 or visit hospiceheart.org.
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Eating for Your Brain as a Senior
April 24, 2017
If you could keep your brain sharp and stave off dementia with specific foods, you’d probably grab your grocery list. Well, start writing. Whether it’s due to their ability to fight off harmful free radicals, keep brain blood vessels clear of debris or because of an evolutionary boost from plant-based chemicals, a variety of foods appear to give aging brains a healthy edge.
Rankings Released for Best Places to Work: Central Valley
April 20, 2017
April 10, 2017 (Modesto)—Central Valley organizations with a strong workplace environment were recognized on Wednesday, April 19 at Dustbowl Brewery in Turlock. In front of a crowd of elite local businesses, the companies receiving the award for Best Places to Work: Central Valley were named.
The complete list of recipients is as follows:
• Ambeck Mortgage Associates
• Community Hospice
• DeHart Plumbing Heating and Air
• Grimbleby Coleman CPAs
• Huff Construction Company, Inc.
• Opportunity Stanislaus
• PMZ Real Estate
• Prime Shine Car Wash
• Warden’s Office Products
Best Places to Work: Central Valley is in its first year of program participation and expects double digit growth for the 2018 program, which will begin in November. “The organizations selected for this designation are leaders in their field without exception,” said David White, Chief Executive Officer of Opportunity Stanislaus. “Their cultures and emphasis on employee satisfaction are evident in their employee response and evidence shows prospective employees will look favorably on these rankings as they search for their next position.”
All companies that participated in the 2017 Best Places to Work: Central Valley program receive an in-depth evaluation identifying strengths and weaknesses according to their employees. In turn, this report can be used in developing or enhancing employee retention and recruitment
programs.
Best Places to Work: Central Valley is brought to you by Opportunity Stanislaus, Prime Shine Car Wash, and the Modesto Chamber of Commerce.
For more information on Best Places to Work: Central Valley visit //bestplacestoworkcentralvalley.com/.
Community Hospice – April Super Star
April 20, 2017
Our Community Hospice Super Star for the month of April is Kristin Gromm! Kristin went above and beyond to support our mission and ensure high quality care for our patients.
LOCAL NONPROFIT RECEIVES A $100,000 GRIEF REACH GRANT FROM THE NEW YORK LIFE FOUNDATION
April 19, 2017
Contact: Kristin Mostowski, Director of Public Relations | Community Hospice | Kristin.Mostowski@hospiceheart.org | 209.578.6301
PHOTO CAPTION: LOCAL NONPROFIT RECEIVES A $100,000 GRIEF REACH GRANT FROM THE NEW YORK LIFE FOUNDATION
STOCKTON, CA (April 19, 2017) — Community Hospice Foundation today announced it received a $100,000 Grief Reach grant from the New York Life Foundation, which will enable the organization to expand their school based Grief Relief Program in Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. The New York Life Foundation created the Grief Reach grant to help providers overcome barriers to bringing grief support services to youth not served by existing bereavement programs.
Pictured l to r: Employees from New York Life’s Stockton General Office including Administrative Manager Nathaniel Moore, Managing Partner Mychael Nguyen and Agent Lars Willerup present a $100,000 Grief Reach grant check to Monica Ojcius, Executive Director of Community Hospice Foundation (third from left) in support of the organization’s Children’s Grief Relief program. Please visit the organization’s website at www.hospiceheart.org for more information.
Preparing Your Home for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s: A Caregiver’s Guide
April 17, 2017
Alzheimer’s disease affects about 5.4 million Americans, about 5.2 million of which are 65 and older. It can be your grandparent, your cousin, your sibling or even your parent who faces the diagnosis. Eventually, those with Alzheimer’s require round-the-clock care, and for many families, that means taking the loved one into their own home.
Alzheimer’s disease has unique symptoms and traits, so it’s likely that your home will need some modifications in order to create the best environment for your loved one. This guide will cover all the adjustments you should consider making room by room, with tips on creating both the safest surroundings and the most secure environment. Many of them are simple enough to complete on your own, but others may require the skills of a trained professional to ensure the safest result. Keep in mind that every home and instance of Alzheimer’s disease is different, and needs will vary from family to family. Always consult your doctor about your loved one’s specific needs and challenges.
Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and Awards Ceremony 2017
April 13, 2017
We had a wonderful time honoring and celebrating our 2017 volunteers at our annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and Awards Ceremony. Volunteers are the heart of Community Hospice!
