The Shadow
ConnectionsPlus Healthcare/Hospice wrapped up “Ducks in a Row,” a six-part series, and their first in Alleghany County, of gathering life’s vital information, at the YMCA’s activities center, last Friday at 1:30pm. The wrap up included a video, titled “New Rules for End of Life Care,” by
Barbara Karnes, RN and award winning end of life educator & hospice pioneer, and a question and answer period.
All nine participants who started the process of putting their “ducks in a row”, completed the six sessions over a six-month period, meeting once a month. Each participant was to fill their binder, using the “Guide for gathering life’s vital information,” by Karen Purze. “I don’t have all, not even some of my ducks in a row. But they’re all in the same pond, so I have that going for me,” was the theme for the six-month series.
Bobbie Wagner, CEO, YMCA, stopped in to greet the participants at the beginning of this final session. “We love having them here at the Y and I love that it (the session) invites the community in,” said Wagner. “It’s a free program. And, we love what ConnectionsPlus is doing because it’s pretty impactful and needed in our community,” added Wagner. She summed it all up by saying, “Its neighbors helping neighbors and we are glad to have them.”
“Some of these participants enjoyed the series so much, they want to come back to hear some more tips and tricks to get their ducks in a row,” said Jennifer Slusser, Director of Operations and Ducks in a Row Facilitator.
“I would recommend this to anybody in the community, because nobody knows when they are going to be in an accident and in the hospital for a month,” said Linn Glisson. “You can’t go a month without paying a bill or checking an email,” she added.
“Not only was the staff of ConnectionsPlus thorough and kind in putting this class together, but the speakers that they scheduled to come speak to us about legal, financial, grief and other topics were equally especially knowledgeable and compassionate and patient with our many questions and concerns,” said Martha Edwards. “The book that comes with the class is where we did our homework, and its going to be so helpful to our families as time goes by,” she added.
ConnectionsPlus would like to recognize the nine participants who completed the first session presented in Alleghany County: Glisson, Janie Barnette, Martha Edwards, Linda Reyns, Sally Wolfe, Libby Burger, Sue Leitch, Karen Buzzard, and Pat Griffin. They would also like to thank Christy Harris, Edward Jones; Jeannie Hepler, attorney, Collins and Hepler; Rev. Bill Gilliland, pastor, First Christian Church, Covington; and Pattye Ford, RN and Clinical Director of ConnectionsPlus for sharing information in their areas of expertise. ConnectionsPlus is planning another series in the Alleghany Highlands beginning in April. And, they are also hoping to conduct a series to “hit the demographic of folks that work during the day,” said Cassie Scott, Care Navigator.
The one-day a month, six-month program is free of charge, with a $20 fee for the binder and core materials. ConnectionsPlus can be contacted at (540) 862-8820 and www.connectionsplus.care for further information.
