George Pettengell had to make a very tough decision. George needed assistance in caring for his wife, Marie, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s more than seven years ago. He has cared for her at home from that day forward, but now recognized that he needed someone to stay with her so he could run a few errands for her medication and other personal issues.
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| George Pettengell with Hospice Staff members Liné Russell-Murphy, RN and Danene Abdallah, Patient Care Supervisor. |
That is when he turned to
Sentara Home Care Services and the Hospice team. George says, “It’s great to have the support of the staff and especially the Hospice volunteers.”
Volunteers are important members of the Sentara Hospice team. They assist in providing respite, companionship for the patients, as well as helping families in transition. The volunteers are well trained and screened to assure they are in it for the right reasons, to help people like Mr. Pettengell.
The Sentara Hospice team has help, too, from the Mission Fund. Hospice relies on the Mission Fund to train volunteers and provide resources that make this program so fulfilling. The volunteers connect with families to help them through this difficult transition, savoring the memories and releasing their loved one.
The Mission Fund receives nearly $2,000 a month from individuals who contribute to help others in their greatest time of need, when they just can’t go it alone. In addition, many families rely on the Mission Fund for medical supplies and services that are not covered by insurance.
Liné Russell-Murphy, nurse to the Pettengell family, states, “While Hospice prepares the family for death, we encourage living life to its fullest. The Hospice team spends months with each family and makes a positive difference in their lives.”
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