Enter Seeds of Caring.  A not-for-profit group looking to empower kids to create a kinder community with their hearts, hands, and minds.  Seeds of Caring has teamed up with OhioHealth for a special project, show heART for hospice patients.

For this project, Seeds of Caring engaged families to decorate art with special messages that would then be delivered to hospice patients at OhioHealth.  This group also teamed up with Dublin City Schools and a pair of 4th grade classes at Wright Elementary.

“We really believe in the power of kindness and the capacity for kids to change our world,” said Brandy Jemczura, founder and executive director of Seeds of Caring to The Columbus Dispatch.  “We think engaging them in service from a very young age is critical to building and growing the empathetic, courageous, inclusive leaders that we need in our community," Jemczura said.

Some of the 4th graders chose crayons, some went with fabric for their art designs. But the message is what really got through to these young boys and girls.

“You feel special by helping other people feel special and loved,” Nour Abulaiha, Dublin School 4th grader told Megan Henry of The Columbus Dispatch. “It’s really helpful to learn about hospice."

“It’s going to make people happy,” Linda Ibrahim, another student said.  “Maybe it will brighten up their day.”

Melissa Showalter is the OhioHealth coordinator for hospice volunteer resources. She says that this project will really make a difference for families.  End of life care looks different for everyone, but she says, the art will still be there, when families have gone home for the day.

“They don’t have a lot of their own stuff as they come to the end of their life," Showalter said. "They have maybe a blanket, maybe a pair of slippers. It’s nice to add a picture to their room and brighten the room.”

This project has another component too. OhioHealth Hospice has worked with Seeds of Caring to develop a curriculum to talk though tough subjects with kids, like grief, and loss.

Before doing the art projects, the teachers had a discussion with their students explaining hospice and grief.

“Without doing a project like this, it’s really difficult to have these discussions,” Jennifer Allen, a Dublin Schools teacher said.   “This is perfect because my grandma (who received hospice care) would have loved this.   My hope is that (the hospice patients who receive the art just know they are loved by someone."

To read the entire article from The Columbus Dispatch, click here.

Longtime supporters of the OhioHealth Foundation, the DiMarco’s gift is timely as OhioHealth experiences a growing need for its bereavement services because of the recent pandemic and other traumatic situations impacting our society and communities.

The purpose of the donation is to provide support, guidance, and a safe place to heal for those mourning the death of a loved one. The investment will help provide additional staffing for children’s and community grief services and expand OhioHealth Hospice Bereavement programs beyond Columbus.

“Ann and Tom’s generosity enables OhioHealth to expand these vital programs and offer them when and where they are needed most,” said Karen Morrison, president of the OhioHealth Foundation. “Bereavement services at OhioHealth serve as important connection points to those coping with loss, while finding a way to celebrate life. This wonderful gift allows us to offer even more to the communities and families we serve, and we are so thankful for the DiMarco’s.”

Prior to this generous gift, The DiMarco's had donated nearly $1 million to a variety of causes at OhioHealth, including Hospice and bereavement programs.

“When anyone chooses to spend their last days in hospice, we celebrate the highlights and joys of their life. We try to bring some peace to the struggles they have endured during a lifetime,” Ann DiMarco said. “When families or loved ones reach out for bereavement services at OhioHealth, we hear stories of incredible loss and sadness. We want to support the good work and programs that help others to heal and move forward after the loss of a loved one. We believe this gift will help to expand these amazing services and heal hearts one family at a time.”

Rabbi Rick Kellner of Congregation Beth Tikvah in Worthington knows the value of OhioHealth’s bereavement services firsthand.

“Working with a grief counselor was such a meaningful experience. When my mom died it hit hard and we were dealing with the mountain of emotions and complexities of the pandemic,” Kellner said. “Now, I have arrived in a place of healing and wholeness. While there will still be moments of sadness, I have the tools to be able to respond. I could not have arrived at this moment without my grief counselor guiding me through the valley of darkness.”

The DiMarco’s, who involve their adult children in the family giving, moved here from Philadelphia more than 25 years ago and quickly became active in the community, supporting local causes including Ann’s years of devoted work as an OhioHealth Hospice and Bereavement volunteer. They established the DiMarco Family Fund in 2015.

For patients receiving care at OhioHealth Kobacker House, they don’t have to look far to find a friendly, four-legged visitor. The inpatient hospice care center’s two-year-old comfort retriever, Finn, is a chance to take a step back from the sometimes difficult situations both patients and associates face.

"He's such a de-stressor, you can be in a very emotionally charged situation, you walk out and see Finn and poof, he just puts a smile on your face," Deborah DePaso, a clinical nurse manager, told 10TV reporter Stephanie Stanavich.

Finn was welcomed to Kobacker House two years ago, when a patient’s family donated him to the facility. After spending two weeks in training, he’s been hard at work ever since, bringing smiles to people’s faces in times when they need it most. He spends his days walking the halls and greeting people, while also making stops at every room to spend time with each patient.

For patients who are unable to interact with Finn, he’ll sit with the patient’s family to keep them company.

"You see their grief in their eyes, these families and the patients, and when Finn walks in the entire mood of the room changes," said Amanda Dobosh, a clinical nurse manager and Finn’s owner, to 10TV. "For families to let us in, in those darkest moments is an absolute privilege.”

Even the staff members at Kobacker House will take a few minutes to spend time with Finn after a busy day of administering treatment. The quality time gets staff members back on their feet and ready to focus on caring for patients and their families.

The cost of food, vet bills and more are paid for through The OhioHealth Foundation.

To view the 10TV story, click on their logo below.  

At OhioHealth Hospice, bereavement counselors work with family members up to 13 months following the loss of a loved one.

Brent Simonds is a counselor at OhioHealth Kobacker House.

“There is a big stigma that is attached to seeking counseling of any kind. I think that is what makes bereavement different,” said Simonds to ABC6. “Unfortunately one of our parts of society is death, and it is an uncomfortable thing to talk about.”

Marie Trudeau lost her partner after a battle with cancer.

“I thought for awhile though that losing him was tearing my heart out. But watching him in pain was tearing my guts out," Trudeau told ABC6.

After he passed, Marie turned to the experts to help her find something that worked for her to deal with the grief. Experts say each person is different and deals with different stages at different times. What Simonds says is important; not ignoring the feelings.

“Telling your story is one of the most important things you can do,” said Simonds.  “It’s important to deal with grief. It comes out in some other way. It might be the inability to function at work. Inability to function with others.”

Marie found her strength through projects she would do with Brent. Scrapbooks, art therapy, and plenty of sessions where she would talk, think, and listen, have helped.

“Just reach out and ask for help and take care of yourself, be gentle with yourself,” said Trudeau.

“Grief is a thief. It took my concentration. My memory. My energy,” Trudeau added.

To see the story from ABC6, click here. And to learn more about bereavement services at OhioHealth click here.

"More than 6 years ago, as the OhioHealth Kobacker house first opened, we made a promise to complete this expansion project, with one 8 room expansion," Tina Null, director of OhioHealth Hospice said.

OhioHealth Kobacker House has helped thousands of patients to find peace, comfort and dignity through medical, emotional, and spiritual support.

"Thanks to the generosity of so many businesses, families, and others in this amazing community, we were able to raise the funds to fulfill that promise," Null added.

Since the Kobacker House moved to its new location more than 6 years ago, teams there have worked with families during their time at the home, and with the families after a death through bereavement and the grieving process.

"This expansion continues our mission to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of our patients, and their families," Null said.

In addition to the new rooms, there have been additional team members brought on to help. There are also new rooms for families to sit, a new entry for emergency crews as well.

To learn more about hospice services with OhioHealth, click here.

To read the story on the expansion by Kevin Parks and This Week News, simply click the logo.

 “I’ve known him since we were 14. I met him the first week of ninth grade. So to me, he was always Bobby," Margaret Early, Robert's widow said.

Margaret Early’s husband suffered a stroke in 2013. When he could speak, they talked about what came next, and how he wanted to die.

“I think at the time when you have these conversations with your loved one, there’s a part of you that still doesn’t think this is ever going to happen," Margaret said.

Three years later, Robert grew very sick. When his organs began to fail, a nurse gave Margaret the bad news.

 “She sat down next to me and she took my hand and she said, ‘He’s leaving you. He’s not going to make it," Margaret said

She moved her beloved Bobby to OhioHealth’s hospice, Kobacker House, the inpatient facility for OhioHealth Hospice. There, they provide care and ease pain for the dying. Faith Community Relations director, Kristin Langstraat, says most of us don’t like to think about death, but it’s vital that we plan for it.

“Write down your wishes. It could happen tomorrow," Langstraat said.

That means having critical conversations with loved ones and care providers. Do you want food and water? Do you want artificial nutrition or hydration? What are you wishes for pain medications and other medical treatments, how do you want to spend your final days with family.

And who speaks for you, if you cannot?

“We want to make sure that their families have those documents that they know who the decision maker is, that they agree with the decisions," Kristin said.

She says advance directives should go to doctors and be placed in medical records. At Kobacker House there are staff members available to help in decisions made at the end of life.

 “The staff is providing the care, but they may have some questions about does this need to go forward, do we need to stop, and the ethicists guide them through that," Kristin said.

OhioHealth bereavement counselor Pamela Gompf says that way, after patients die, families have an easier time dealing with loss.

“People who are prepared, are more at peace with those decisions," Pamela said.

Pamela’s team helps Hospice families for 13 months after a death. They offer everything from support groups, to one-on-one counseling.

 “People have a safe place to feel whatever it is that they feel. And that in itself helps them cope when they know that they’re listened to," Pamela said.

Since we all will die, the women say it’s vital that we find the courage to discuss with our families how we want to go.

“Is it important to them that they can walk or talk or interact with people? Is it only important to them that they can just lay there and feel sunshine on their face," Margaret said.

 “They have to have peace in knowing that they did everything that they could do and they made the right decisions," Kristin added.

Click to learn more about OhioHealth Hospice or Kobacker House.

Or to learn more about the critical conversations families should be having, click here.

Thanks to the generosity of so many donors through a capital campaign, Kobacker House has seen donations of more than $4.8 million dollars to the project.

In addition to all of the giving, that act goes far beyond just money.

The people that walk the halls of the Kobacker House, in many of the roles, are volunteers.

"I thought it would be enlightening to be more involved in what goes on here day to day,” Volunteer Trish Cadwallader said to ThisWeek Reporter Kevin Parks. “It’s very inspiring. It’s inspiring to see the volunteers and the staff. It’s inspiring to meet the patients and the families going through tough times."

Trish is now on the Kobacker board and says it's amazing to see all of the work and love that happens between staff members, volunteers, and families.

For the volunteer manager at Kobacker House, watching the construction happening right in front of her eyes, and knowing what that means for families that need hospice services means everything.

“We don’t think it’s depressing because we think it’s about living,” Linda Hanson said to ThisWeek News. “We think it’s part of the process.”

As for the process of construction, mother nature has been kind. That has allowed crews to stay on, or in some cases ahead of the schedule.

"“It’s going very well,” Mark Smither, senior project manager with O’Brien Robinson Construction Services told Kevin Parks. “We’ve been very fortunate with our weather this year.”

Click here to learn more about Kobacker House.

To read the article in ThisWeek News from Kevin Parks, click the logo.

Millions of those that are terminally ill do choose the quality of care hospice care can provide, especially during the last few weeks, days, or hours of life.

But doing it the responsible way, legal way, is something that gets many looks from the federal level.

Dr. Charles von Gunten, vice president of medical affairs, hospice and palliative medicine for OhioHealth, says he welcomes a national focus to make sure everyone is doing things the right way for the patient. He stresses that people do their homework when looking for end of life care, to get the best possible result for the patient and for the family.

“There are some hospices with 100 percent discharge rates, which definitely raises a red flag,” Dr. von Gunten said. “Either they’re driving them away with bad care or signing up people who aren’t close to dying.”

Dr. von Gunten says there are many groups that stay on top of exactly what they are doing, and providing what they promise. But as some of the headlines of those not following rules and regulations gets out there, there can be a misperception built; one that possibly scares some families away.

“That’s the biggest travesty,” he said.

Dr. von Gunten says his OhioHealth team works hard at education. He says 15 percent of people will actually be released from hospice care because their health improves to the point where the services are no longer needed as the patient has gotten better with care.

Hospice use in general is actually on the rise, with many people getting care inside of their own homes. There is also a need for more space at homes like the OhioHealth Kobacker House. The OhioHealth Kobacker House is growing with a $4.8 million dollar expansion plan scheduled to be complete in late 2017. The money raised for this project, much like the original plan that created 24 patient rooms, was done entirely through generous donations from supportive community members, and families.

Still, only about 40 percent of the people who are deemed eligible for hospice actually use the services, von Gunten said.

Some families have turned to hospice care and have strong praise for the end of life care. Phil Glandon, of Upper Arlington looked for years for ways to help his ailing father.

Multiple trips to emergency rooms, doctor visits, and accidents inside the home lead to the decision he had always heard of but never considered. A social worker at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital asked if he had considered hospice care for his father.

“It was clear that dad was on his final pathway to passing,” he said.

It was then and there, they decided to turn to OhioHealth Kobacker House for end of life care. They arrived at the location, and within just a few hours, teams worked to make sure Glandon’s dad was comfortable, cared for, and looking much more like the man this family had known and love. The family saw him again, in one of his favorite golf shirts, and in one of the large rooms.

“He looked like my father; he was given his dignity back,” Glandon said. And while they knew the end was near, hospice care meant a chance for the entire family to be together, watching old family videos, and smiling about the lives they had built, together.

“It was a blessing. It was like getting him back before he died,” Phil Glandon said.

To read more about this in The Columbus Dispatch simply click on the logo.

Click here to give to OhioHealth Kobaker House.

A life well lived is worth celebrating, and a life coming to an end should be handled properly and with dignity. That isn’t always an easy plan to make or follow. For end of life care, many families turn to hospice care. At times that care can happen at a place like OhioHealth Kobacker House. But the majority of hospice care happens at a patient’s own home.

Dr. Charles von Gunten at OhioHealth Kobacker House says hospice can be a fulfilling moment for caregivers.

Saying goodbye can be very hard, but planning for the end of life care that best fits an individual’s wants can be a very healthy thing to do together.

"The most common misperceptions I see is that it's a choice to give up," said Dr. von Gunten.

Dr. von Gunten says hospice is a team approach that mostly happens in the comforts of home.

"Doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, volunteers," he said.

But how those people work together can take some time. Experts in the hospice field say planning early can help create a plan that can be followed and carried out over time.

"Only 10 percent of Americans will die of a sudden illness although many people wish that for themselves. In fact, 90 percent of us will die of a disease of which we know the name and it will extend over years," said Dr. von Gunten.

Some families don’t talk about end of life care until it can be too late, and not always allowing the individual to make the decisions they want. That is why experts like Dr. von Gunten say loved ones should talk about their wants and desires.

"Telling your family what you want if you're not able to speak for yourself, what's important, when do you want comfort to be the major focus,” Dr. von Gunten said.

And in some cases hospice patients can actually improve, and no longer need services.

To read more of the story of a family who used OhioHealth Hospice 3 times, click the ABC6 logo.

And to learn more about OhioHealth Hospice and Kobacker House go here: OhioHealth Hospice.

A recent Columbus Dispatch article took a closer look at hospice care and the history the African-American community has with hospice. Reporter Encarnita Pyle interviewed Dr. Charles von Gunten, OhioHealth Vice President, Medical Affairs of Hospice Palliative Care for the story.

You can click on the Columbus Dispatch logo to read the story. 

For Francie Tector, RN, that sentiment could not be truer.

The year 2011 was a difficult one for Francie, a nurse at Riverside Surgical Associates and graduate of the former Riverside Methodist Hospital School of Nursing.

It was the year she had to do the unthinkable — lay to rest both her twin sister and husband within only seven weeks of each other.

Francie’s sister, a fraternal twin, was diagnosed with brain cancer in February 2011. Upon her diagnosis, she moved into Francie’s home so that Francie could care for her. During that time, Francie’s husband, who suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), unexpectedly passed away at home in July 2011.

Stricken with grief for her husband, Francie continued to care for her sister until her pain required more than Francie could provide.

“I wanted to give my sister the best care, and I knew exactly who could provide it — OhioHealth Hospice at the Kobacker House,” says Francie.

Francie’s father, a patient at the original Kobacker House, passed away in 1994 from kidney failure. Without hesitation, she moved her sister to the new and recently opened Kobacker House in August 2011, just a few weeks after her husband’s death.

While staying with her sister at Kobacker House, Francie’s sister passed away peacefully just days after her arrival.

“I was with my sister when she came into this world and was there when she left. It meant so much to me to be able to care for her until the end,” she says. “God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers. My sister’s strength during her journey was an inspiration to me and all who knew her.”

Fast forward to nearly a year and a half after her husband’s and sister’s passing, Francie knew she wanted to give back. With the help of volunteer services, Francie attended a OhioHealth Hospice volunteer training to begin donating her time at Kobacker House every Monday night after work.

“In a tragedy you have three choices: you can let it destroy you, define you or strengthen you. I’ve chosen to let it strengthen me,” Francie says.

Tearfully, she says volunteering is so rewarding and it enriches her life to be able to give back because of the excellent care her father and sister received at the end of their lives. Because of their care, Francie has a new perspective on how she provides care to her patients at work.

“Since my experience at Kobacker House, I have learned the importance of listening intently and being truly present,” Francie says. “When words often fail you, a simple touch of a hand matters even in the darkest of times.”