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End-of-Life Companionship: A Tail of Comfort End-of-Life Companion- ship: A Tail of Comfort By Sally Green Hospice care is whole-person care. It's about more than ad- dressing frailty, pain, or disease. It's about living. There's a growing trend in end-of-life care to em- brace alternative therapies such as massage, music, reiki, and pet therapy with dogs. These non-medical interventions are associat- ed with decreased anxiety and increased joy. Volun- teers are a big part of what makes this care possible. Isaiah Williams became a Volunteer Visitor at Hospice of Santa Cruz County after the death of a dear friend. He'd thought about it for years, but his friend's passing and a chance drive by a sign on the road advertising the next Volunteer Visitor Training inspired him to get started. "It was the sign I needed. Literally," says Isaiah. Volunteer Visitors are es- sential to quality hospice care. They provide com- panionship and practical support to patients and families. A complemen- tary program, Pet Com- panions, invites their furry family members to join this important work. "Patients can rest assured that our volunteers are highly trained, skilled, and comfortable doing this important work," says Forbes Ellis, LMFT, Director of Volunteer Services at Hospice of Santa Cruz County. Volunteer Visitors par- ticipate in a comprehen- sive, 18-hour training that provides the skills and tools needed to support hospice patients and their families. From a cross-cultural perspec- tive, they explore topics like effective commu- nication and presence, creating boundaries, spiritual care, and grief and loss. Animal behaviorists evaluate dogs as poten- tial Pet Companions by looking at their temper- ament, history, basic training, and immuni- zation records. Then, a supervisor accompanies the Volunteer Visitor and Pet Companion to observe and ready the pair to go into service independently. "I couldn't do any of what I do without the training. It has given me confidence and taken away a lot of mystery and fear about death and dying. It helped me meet all kinds of people with all kinds of con- ditions," says Williams who has had two of his dogs, first Buster and now Molly, become Pet Companions. With degrees in psychology and religion, Isaiah is meant for this work. "I take a moment or two before I go in a patient's space, calm myself, and bring as much cheer and comfort as there is to give." Not just a dog From the outside, a visit with a Pet Companion may look ordinary. Smiling faces, wagging tails, and laughter are often present. But its effects are so much more significant. Some research suggests that animals' social support can provide comfort and decrease stress. Others say that being around pets can lower our blood pressure and increase the production of dopamine, a neu- rotransmitter that affects how we experience pleasure, our heart rate, mood, sleep, and even pain processing. Pets reduce feelings of lone- liness, too. For hospice patients, these effects are life changing. While social support from friends and family has similar positive benefits, sometimes interpersonal relation- ships complicate our experience. Pet Com- panions can be a buffer. "I heard a patient once say, 'I love you guys, but you're gonna have to leave for 30 minutes 'cause Bella Luna is here!' Bella is a bit of a Pet Companion celebri- ty," says Ellis. Pet Companions can be a source of joy for the entire family. "I remember one family that had both parents in hospice simultaneous- ly, and it seemed like everyone was always there -- a loving and supportive unit. Then there was Buster and me. They'd open the door and say, 'here's your dog!' welcoming me in," says Isaiah. By petting an animal, we can naturally access feelings and long-forgot- ten memories. When peo- ple have lost a pet or had one they can no longer care for, Pet Companions can promote healing and peace. "I've been with patients who have burst into tears remembering their dog," reflects Isaiah. With his dog Molly by his side, Isaiah knows how to be present for whatever comes. "What does Molly get out of it? Well, treats for one thing. She seems to like it. Her nature is open and friendly. Being a Pet Companion is part of her life. She's always ready to go," says Isaiah. If you're choosing a hospice provider for yourself or a loved one, it's important to compare your options, and Medi- care provides an easy website to do that: medi- care.gov/care-compare/. Not all hospices offer alternative therapies. Hospice of Santa Cruz County is committed to offering pet therapy, among other alternative therapies, because it has shown to be an aspect of care that supports overall exceptional quality. For some, it can make all the differ- ence and sweeten the moments we have left to enjoy. If you are interested in becoming a hospice Volunteer Visitor, con- tact Forbes Ellis at fel- lis@hospicesantacruz. org or (831) 430-3045. Answers By Sally Green Hospice Seniors Giving to Seniors By Bill Proulx Senior Network Services Imagine as a senior citizen, having to pick between food or medicine; paying the rent but never having enough to visit an unmet grandchild; paying a veterinarian bill to keep a best friend healthy or buying glasses to replace the pair that broke. Daily, seniors in our community face these decisions and others that are even more heartbreaking. This is an often unseen and unreport- ed reality in Santa Cruz County. It only takes one serious illness, the loss of a spouse, an accident or onset of a disability to result in a senior not having the means to meet their basic needs. Some of these seniors don't have family that can support them and others are re- sistant to burdening their children or grandchildren, so they suffer silently. Meanwhile, in Santa Cruz County there is also another reality, one where there are many seniors who have been fortu- nate and are financially comfortable. We believe that seniors in Santa Cruz County who have the means to give to seniors in dire circumstances want to do so…but how? How can you know your dollars go directly to help those truly in need? Introducing: Seniors- GivingToSeniors.org SeniorsGivingToSeniors. org is a new program op- erated by Senior Network Services, an almost 50 year old local nonprofit, and is a direct cash grant program designed to fill the gaps in tradition- al support services. At Senior Network Services we engage with seniors in our community that face poverty, hunger and homelessness. We know these individuals. We know their needs and struggles. We can be your link to ensure your giving has maximum impact. You are the Changemak- er. We are the facilita- tors of your impact. The process is simple: go to SeniorsGiving- ToSeniors.org and make a donation using your credit card or paypal account. You will receive a digital receipt for your tax deductible donation. If you prefer, you can send a check to Senior Net- work Services at 1777A Capitola Road, Santa Cruz 95062. Your donation can support a senior in need by helping to fix a broken refrigerator they've been living without or pay a winter power bill to stay warm. It doesn't take a large amount of money to make a big difference in someone's life. From a plumbing issue, to a wheelchair repair, to needing new shoes that don't hurt your feet, these are examples of the issues SeniorsGivingToSeniors. org can solve quickly and without bureaucratic delays. Here is a real life example that happened recently: A woman in her 90's has been on a fixed income that barely allows her to live. She has been in the same apartment for the past 20 years. About two years ago the apart- ment complex installed plumbing running a new pipe directly behind her bedroom wall. The noise was loud and constant until late in the evening and started again early in the morning. This woman could not sleep. She asked for help. The property management company did nothing. She acquired legal assistance through a free program, there were meetings and advocates and a legal procedure. All of these agencies and resources were involved. Thousands and thousands of dollars were spent yet she suffered from lack of sleep and increased stress due to the situation. We bought her a sound machine for $60 and the issue was resolved. Direct cash grants work better than bureaucracy. SeniorsGivingToSeniors. org Help solve local suf- fering from your couch. Donate. Tell a friend. Make a difference in your community. Contributed photo 1777-A Capitola Road, Santa Cruz 95062 www.seniornetworkservices.org A Nonprofit Community Agency Santa Cruz County's Official Information & Assistance Provider call: 831-462-1433 email: info@seniornetworkservices.org Unbiased, No Cost Medicare Counseling Santa Cruz call: 831-462-5510 San Benito call: 831-637-0630 email: hicap@seniornetworkservices.org Shared Housing I Housing Navigation I Home Help call: 831-462-6788 email: housing@seniornetworkservices.org Respite Registry I Respite Grants call: 831-462-0880 email: respite@seniornetworkservices.org SENIOR NETWORK SERVICES