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A STORY OF ENDURING LOVE Georgia and Richard "Red" Freeman eloped in 1951. They ran a business, participated in church and civic organizations, and raised a family that now includes great-grandchildren. Red began KishHealth System Hospice's Transitions program in 2009. Georgia, who was with him every day until he died in 2013, said he delighted in listening to Jen Conley, the music therapist. "Really and truly, I don't know what we would have done without Transitions," recalls Georgia, who became a client herself in 2012. "One day close to the end, Red was restless and I couldn't soothe him. Then Jen came by, and as soon as he heard her sing, he settled down." Helping Hands at Journey's End KISHHEALTH SYSTEM HOSPICE AND ITS TRANSITIONS PROGRAM SUPPORT PATIENTS AND FAMILIES FACING CHRONIC OR TERMINAL ILLNESS. THE HOSPICE APPROACH is to view life's end as part of a personal journey rather than a failure to cure. Hospice assists patients projected to live six months or less, involving the family in care planning and emphasizing quality of life and relief from pain, symptoms, and stress. The Transitions program supports individuals with a life-limiting illness and their families by coordinating assistance from volunteers, therapists, and community resources. For Transitions patients, treatment may be intended to relieve pain or aggressively work to cure, or both. "Transitions helps a patient become comfortable with people coming into the home to help long before the actual 'hospice' period begins," says Teresa Gobeli, RN, director of KishHealth System Hospice. "We can provide visits from our chaplain, music therapist, and Healing Paws therapy dogs, as well as volunteers to spend time with patients." "Transitions provided someone to sit with Red and arranged transportation for me when I needed to go to the doctor," says Georgia Freeman about her late husband's care. "They helped me from the word go." "As our needs changed, Transitions put us in touch with people to help," says Rick, Red and Georgia's son, of his family's experience. "It was a beautiful thing." Patients can move from Transitions to Hospice and back again. To talk with Hospice or the Transitions program coordinator, call 815.756.3000 or visit kishhealth.org/services/hospice. Look for a list of featured classes and programs on the center spread. Most are free and require registration. Classes with low enrollment are generally cancelled three days prior to the start date. Please register early. Register online at kishprograms.org. KishHealth System Cancer Center provides patients and families with education, support and resources to deal with the many challenges presented by cancer. Generous donor support helps underwrite the cost of these programs. If you are interested in making a donation to improve the quality of life for those dealing with cancer, please contact the KishHealth System Foundation at 815.748.9954 or visit kishhealthfoundation.org. We are the cornerstone of healthcare for the communities we serve—the first choice for service, comfort, and safety. OUR MISSION CANCER CENTER WELLNESS CLASSES AND PROGRAMS 2