Good Samaritan Hospice of Pittsburgh

Good Samaritan Hospice (GSH) remains dedicated to excellent patient/family care, ethical practice in the management of funds and community activities contributing to improved education and understanding of quality of life at the end of life. The foundation of hospice is comfort care-managing pain and symptoms-to improve their overall quality of life while nearing the end of their journey. GSH provided care to 985 patients and their families in the community by providing 88,531 visits in their homes. Good Samaritan Hospice had 52 active volunteers. In addition, there are 11 volunteers who are active in the Angels on Call program for Good Samaritan Hospice. Angels on Call is a program which provides volunteers to sit with those patients at the End of Life. Volunteers offer anything from scripture to hymns, and simple companionship. Despite the decline in the number of volunteers for this fiscal year, the active volunteers participated in bereavement, clerical, patient service, inpatient unit support, and special events. Initial and ongoing training was provided to implement the program which equated to over 63 hours of free training and onboarding of the 17 volunteers who enrolled to be a part of this program. Other volunteers were able to offer help from home by making "memory quilts" for surviving family members out of personal clothing and fabric special to the deceased. We also experienced a great interest in the "Veteran's Blankets" which are given to those who serve in a branch of the military. With this program, there have been more requests to learn about the "Vet's Blankets" which provided over 27 hours of free education to VFW and American Legion groups with our service area. Now that we are trying to return to some normalcy post pandemic, the greatest volunteer request is from caregivers/family members trying to care for their loved ones at home. Caregivers may need to take a break to go to a doctor's appointment or get groceries. Some of our volunteers also visit or call family members at home after a patient passed away to comfort them in a time of bereavement. Volunteers also assist with office functions such as filing, organizing, creating admission packets, processing mail, creating thank you baskets for clinicians, and making condolence calls to those who have lost a loved one. Following safety guidelines, Good Samaritan Hospice volunteers played a part in special events, meetings, and activities held throughout the year. Several of the special events included a volunteer recruitment day at the YMCA in Butler, where volunteer opportunities were discussed with 89 participants in a 7 hour day event. Another workshop was held in Armstrong county, where education was provided to over 12 participants in a 4 hour period. Education included on-site interviews for volunteers and opportunities offered by Good Samaritan Hospice. Other events included multiple youth bereavement events, memorial services, Holiday Grief Workshop, and a Memorial butterfly release. Over the course of the past fiscal year, Good Samaritan Hospice volunteers provided a total of 2,950 hours of service with a dollar value of $ 80,240. Non-patient related volunteer hours totaled 885 hours of service. Free grief support groups were offered in Beaver, Butler and Allegheny County for those bereaved of our services and for those in the community. There were a total of 36 grief support sessions in all three communities which provided service to over 89 participants. Our Holiday Workshop was held on December 4, 2021 with 25 participants. The Family Support Services Team offered over 40 hours of time to prepare, schedule and implement the event. The annual GSH Memorial Service and Butterfly Release was held on August 15, 2021 at Mt. Zion Church at Moraine State park and on August 21st at Concordia at Villa St. Joseph campus. These community events were open to anyone who wanted to honor and celebrate the memory of their loved ones, despite whether they had a loved one on service with GSH. Over 100 hundred families released 300 monarch butterflies into the sky. Sixteen volunteers assisted with the event and over two dozen staff members participated on either day. Hospice staff members provided education and information at no cost to over 1,512 individuals and their family members regarding their disease state, concerns, healthcare wishes and hospice and palliative care insurance options within the counties served, prior to their decision regarding care. It is estimated GSH tallied over 1,190 hours providing Hospice information and education. Throughout the COVID-19 PHE, the organization provided focused education on various related topics. These topics included what COVID-19 is, how to prevent the spread, how to care for patients that are positive for COVID-19, mitigation efforts, Personal Protective Equipment utilization and other infection control practices. This education was provided through varying platforms such as secure messaging, at virtual staff meetings and through the Learning Management Software, Elsevier. Staff have also been educated on COVID-19 vaccinations and the importance of vaccinations as a tool to help end the PHE. Total donations and sponsorships during the fiscal year equated to $8,897. Additional indirect contributions have been through donations to 501(c)(3) member hospital systems at a total of $6,500,000 to help expand like-minded mission within the geographical communities that we serve. $600 was donated to Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company. Two gift cards were donated to an event at Saxonburg Library $75; The Humane Society of Lawrence County and Orphans of the Storm were two organizations that benefited with a total of $60 as part of our Employee Benefit Fund program. Donations are given to a charity of employee's choice when a qualifying event occurs, such as a death in the family. $100 was given to Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church; and $75 was given to Pittsburgh Technical College toward their scholarships program. The following events were sponsored during the fiscal year: Alle Kiski Strong Chamber - Golf Outing 2022 $140. Butler County Chamber of Commerce - Golf Outing 2022 $200; Butler County Healthcare Consortium $50. Butler Health System Foundation - Golf Outing 2022 $1,000; Butler Health System Foundation - Sip of Summer 2022 $1,500. HVHS Foundation - Tito Francona Memorial Golf Outing $ 2,500. The Lighthouse Foundation - Golf Outing 2022 $1,000; and The Lighthouse Foundation - Soaring for Hope Gala 2021 $ 1,400. Employees of Good Samaritan Hospice were given the opportunity to serve the community by participating in several mission events organized by the parent company Concordia Community Support Services. Here are the mission event opportunities that GSH took part in during the fiscal year. The Thanksgiving Mission Event in October/November 2021 was an effort to allow the BHS Food Institute to continue its mission to help our neighbors in need. Butler Health System, a partner of Concordia Visiting Nurses and Good Samaritan Hospice, has developed the BHS Food Institute in an effort to provide struggling community members with access to affordable and nutritious food. This event was done completely remotely through Amazon.com and BHS's website. The BHS Food Institute created a Wish List on Amazon that includes kitchen utensils for patients. Concordia employees were encouraged to buy directly from Amazon or donate a monetary gift. The Spring Collection Drive in January/February 2022: The Lighthouse Foundation hands out a birthday box to anyone who participates in their food pantry. These boxes contain items that allow their recipient to make a cake and truly celebrate a birthday for a member of their family. Employees worked in teams to purchase cake mix, ingredients, card, decorations, etc. to fill the box. In March 2022, The Concordia Family of Pennsylvania partnered with a company out of Moon Township called DTCare. This non-profit agency shipped much needed supplies to support those who have sought refuge in Poland as a result of the conflict in Ukraine. Employees purchased supplies such as toothbrushes, soap, diapers, socks and first aid supplies. Concordia Medical Equipment employees used their trucks to transport everything gathered to Moon Township. These donations, sponsorships and mission events are some of the ways we serve God by providing for the needs of His people.

Good Samaritan Hospice continues its Youth Bereavement Care (YBC), offering a variety of virtual and in-person programming including grief counseling, peer support, grief education and day retreats. In 2007, Good Samaritan Hospice held its first event just for children called Camp Good SAM, an overnight summer bereavement camp. In 2013, Camp Good SAM was consolidated with Camp Erin Pittsburgh to provide a three-day, overnight experience in a safe and caring environment where grieving children and teens ages 6-17 could connect with others dealing with loss. Camp Erin Pittsburgh was held as an overnight camp through 2019, and the 2020 event was modified into a socially-distanced one-day event outside at our Middlesex office. And while Camp Erin Pittsburgh was a success, a need was recognized to adapt and expand our youth bereavement services beyond just the camp to reach even more of God's people on a more frequent basis. In 2020, Good Samaritan Hospice introduced Youth Bereavement Care (YBC), a division of Family Support Services which has grown from the need for innovative ways to reach grieving children year-round. The program provides free support for youth from birth through age 21 who have been affected by the death of a significant person in their lives. YBC is open to not only our hospice and extended Concordia families but also to the greater community. The mission of YBC is to make an impactful difference in the lives of children and teens by providing resources, clinical support and year-round connection with other families who are grieving. Enriched programming provides robust support to children and youth as they navigate their own unique grief. YBC services are free and include a variety of virtual and in-person programming, such as grief counseling, peer support, individual and family groups, grief education and day retreats. YBC is staffed by grief and bereavement experts as well as clinicians who are trained in child mental and behavioral health and provide connective resources within the grief community. GSH has contracted a retired pastor to provide event support and one-on-one counseling sessions for the youth of YBC. During the fiscal year, he provided 64.75 hours of in-person service. A Virtual Event was held on Saturday January 29, 2022. A packet was mailed prior to the event to the 11 participants containing a book and supplies to make an activity during the event. The virtual event lasted three hours and 7 GSH employees volunteered their time during the event. A free In-Person Event was held on Saturday June 25, 2022 at The Mansion in Butler, PA. The event, titled The Magical Strings that Tie Us Together, was a creative outdoor workshop for children who have lost a loved one and their caregivers. The attendees participated in fun activities and breakout sessions, received a take-home craft project, and the adult caregivers received a free book titled Parenting Through Grief. 6 GSH employees volunteered at the event which lasted seven hours.

GSH also offers Inpatient care for help in the assessment and management of acute, complex, or uncontrolled symptoms such as pain or shortness of breath. The Inpatient Units (IPUs) focus on caring for patients with high acuity that cannot be managed at home, such as complicated delivery mechanisms i.e., subcutaneous, frequent dose titration, and skilled nursing care with frequent monitoring can be provided in the general inpatient setting. GSH provided this level of care to 882 patients and their families during this fiscal year end. 16,014 visits were provided to patients in the IPUs. The hospice staff are available in this specific setting around the clock to consult and provide support to families as they journey through the progression of the disease. This setting is offered at three locations: Heritage Valley Beaver Hospital, Concordia at Cabot, and in the Hospice House in Wexford. Short-term respite care is also provided by nursing staff to alleviate the burden on family caregivers. Good Samaritan Hospice had 52 active volunteers. The active volunteers participated in bereavement, clerical, patient service, inpatient unit support, and special events. These volunteers visit patients, read them stories, create craft projects, play music, sing, and provide pet therapy visits. In addition, they provide spiritual support through prayer, singing hymns, scripture reading, and simply offer a quiet, calm presence during the last few hours of life. A team of volunteers worked diligently at beautifying the flower gardens at our inpatient units in Cabot and Wexford. The patients and families have thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful landscape and flower arrangements. Over each holiday season, our volunteers graciously help decorate our three inpatient units making it feel welcoming for families and visitors. Volunteers routinely bake treats and cook meals for our inpatient units; these homecooked meals are appreciated by families and visitors. We also have a team of pet therapy volunteers who visit patients and family members in our three inpatient units. Students preparing to become Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses were also offered educational opportunities at our Wexford and Cabot inpatient locations. Students from Community College of Beaver County (CCBC), Heritage Valley Beaver, Lenape and Ohio Valley completed approximately 55 clinical hours with Good Samaritan Hospice. These opportunities allowed for hands-on training and experience in a skilled setting. The Social Services department also hosted a student intern for social work from Slippery Rock University in which the student had the opportunity to access 14 hours of free education and training in hospice services. Throughout the COVID-19 PHE, the organization provided focused education on various related topics. These topics included what COVID-19 is, how to prevent the spread, how to care for patients that are positive for COVID-19, mitigation efforts, Personal Protective Equipment utilization and other infection control practices. This education was provided through varying platforms such as secure messaging, at virtual staff meetings and through the Learning Management Software, Elsevier. Staff have also been educated on COVID-19 vaccinations and the importance of vaccinations as a tool to help end the PHE.