It’s All about Hope

By Millicent K. Brody

The Center For Hope Hospice & Palliative Care, a non-profit organization, was founded in the late 1970's by the late Peggy Coloney, R.N., and the late Father Charles Hudson, M.A.

I first met Father Hudson when he was administering to a dear friend. A most patient, kind, gentleman, he was full of love and compassion as we all sat together chatting in the confines of my friend’s small living room, surrounded by his hospital bed, special lift, and all of his medical paraphernalia. In spite of how truly ill my friend was, Father Hudson brought sunshine, life, and hope into the room. His beloved presence and energy will never be forgotten.

The term hospice dates back to medieval times, when it referred to a place for weary or ill travelers. Today, hospice care is about increasing an individual’s quality of life by providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support to patients and their families as they face the challenges associated with a life-limiting illness.
Hospice is about an individual's right to choose how they wish to be cared for in the final phase of their life. Hospice believes that all persons have the right to live in dignity and free from pain until the natural event of death occurs.

“Since its inception, the growth of our organization has been remarkable,” says Diane Coloney, Director of Volunteer Services. “More than 500 women will be attending our Annual Fashion Show this Sunday, October 11 at 11 a.m. at L’Affaire, in Mountainside.”

The Center For Hope Hospice & Palliative Care attributes this growth to the commitment of its staff, the support of the community, and the faith of referring physicians.

“We've added ‘Palliative Care’ to our name as an expansion of the mission of hospice," Coloney adds. "We strive to address the needs of individuals outside of the six-month life expectancy parameter. This change represents the willingness of Center For Hope Hospice & Palliative Care to share its expertise in the area of palliative care for the terminally ill and offer consultative services. Ours is an interdisciplinary approach to symptom management for patients with a debilitating chronic disease.

The Center For Hope & Palliative Care Home Care program offers services to individuals who are homebound, seriously ill, or in need of the assistance of visiting health professionals.

Even though home care patients are usually in a recovery phase and have a good prognosis, they may be confronting very complex issues. These issues can include coping with the loss of independence due to physical limitations, the fear of creating stress for other family members, and even the inevitability of their own mortality. These are difficult concerns to express, yet part of healing involves recognizing and responding to the emotional as well as the physical effects of an illness.

For more information on the Center For Hope services or to volunteer your services, please contact Diane Coloney at the Center for Hope Hospice,1900 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains. Call: 908.889.7780.

Annual Fashion Show
Sunday, October 11, 2009
11:00 a.m.
L’Affaire
1099 U,S . Highway 22
Mountainside, NJ
Cost: $60
Grand Raffle Prizes
1st: Vacation for 2 (valued at $3500)
2nd: Necklace (valued at $2200)
3rd: $500 Shop Rite Certificate
Raffle tickets: $1 each