Some of our conversations in life seem relatively trivial; some more noteworthy. Hear the story of a profound discussion I had with a Wings of Hope patient and his wife just two weeks before he died. I met Bill and his wife Doris in their niece’s living room. They had left their home in Byron […]
Advance directives are a way of communicating who you want to make health care decisions for you in the event you are unable to make them yourself. This is a legal document in Michigan. Making Choices Michigan is a great resource for a simple advance directive form. Check out their website at www.makingchoicesmichigan.org and click […]
Spring is officially here. The periods of rain and sun are greening things up and tiny crocuses, violets and daffodils are beginning to pop up in our gardens and yards. New life is abundant in spring and the beauty that accompanies this new life, feels renewing. When someone is grieving they may not feel this […]
A Day for Teens with Horses at Wings of Hope Camp PEGASUS Grief Camp A Day for Pegasus The campfire around which we will soon gather is just starting to really get going, and the smoke and smell and warmth of burning wood contrasts with the wet, cold grass. Just a tad of frost from […]
Passion for helping our community better understand hospice & palliative care Community Education & Relationship Building The Wings of Hope Hospice vision statement emphasizes that as an organization we will increase the comfort level of our culture around death and dying in order to decrease fear and ignorance. As the Wings of Hope Hospice Community […]
As Spiritual Care Coordinator at Wings of Hope Hospice, I often lead “We Honor Vets” pinning ceremonies to honor military veterans at long-term care facilities. Along with patriotic music, readings and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, we present a framed certificate of honor and a pin to each resident veteran. After one such […]
Meet Dean Michaels… Sure, Dean looks like an ordinary guy but don’t let this picture fool you. Some might consider him a “Jack of all Trades”…… contractor, talented musician, volunteer extraordinaire and those are just to name a few. If Dean isn’t replacing a roof or remodeling a kitchen for a client, he is serving […]
Understated, and behind the scenes, a hospice volunteer quietly makes a tough day better, one act of kindness at a time. Some of his or her many assignments include listening and encouraging our patients and their loved ones, delivering needed medications and supplies, helping with office and event support, or providing handyman and maintenance services. […]
Grief is a normal and natural reaction to the loss of someone or something special. It can be one of the toughest physical and emotional challenges that we experience. The experience of grieving can be devastating. It is important at this time to reach out for support. Sometimes people don’t know where to turn for […]
Frances DeRyder, better known as Fran or Franny, is a valued member of the Wings of Hope Hospice team. Fran started at Wings approximately 17 years ago through the Green Thumb program, now called Experience Works. As I had never heard of this program, I looked on the web and found out that this is […]
