LUTHER MANOR HOSPICE IN WAUWATOSA, WI

When a patient or family finds out that hospice care is an option, they are often referred by their doctor to a specific hospice. Many times, the patient or family will go with the recommended hospice provider because they do not know that every hospice is different. Of course, with a decision this large, a decision you didn’t know you had, apprehension sets in.

We are lucky enough to work with hospices across the nation, and it is clear to us that no two hospices are the same.  There are distinct qualities that differentiate one hospice from the next and it is our goal to highlight these qualities.

Ultimately, YOU can choose which hospice team will be caring for you or your family member.

It is in your power to choose the hospice that provides the service that best suits you and your family. With society often unaware of the hospice benefit, and unaware that there are special qualities that individualize each hospice, it is our mission to highlight hospice and the stories, people, patients, and passion that make each hospice provider special.

This month, we spoke with Rachel Coleman, the Hospice Manager at Luther Manor Hospice in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Luther Manor is unique because they provide an array of amenities and services, including a variety of senior living options and exceptional health care services, conveniently located under one roof. Rachel was willing to share a few stories and to answer a few questions regarding Luther Manor Hospice and what drives her personal passion each day.

Q: WHY DID YOU COME TO WORK IN HOSPICE? WHY DID YOU BEGIN IN THE HOSPICE FIELD? WHAT DRIVES YOUR PASSION EACH DAY?

A: I spent 8 years working as a rehab social worker and ended up getting my Masters so I could specifically work with hospice patients. I enjoy working with a team that ensures the care being given is 110%.

Q: WHEN IS A TIME THAT YOU OR YOUR STAFF HAVE GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND?

A: We most recently had a patient go outside for the first time in a long time, this patient has dementia and is bed-bound, among many other factors. Having her mother go outside was the daughters wish, so our nurses went above and beyond to make this happen. They transferred the patient outside, where her daughter was waiting. This meant a lot to this family.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST STRUGGLE?

A: We struggled to get home patients because we were new at it. The few home patients we have had though have given us awesome reviews . The three that we cared for even donated their memorial funds to our hospice specifically. One left a heart-felt review on our Facebook page, it really meant a lot to us.

Q: WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND LUTHER MANOR HOSPICE?

A: We are set apart from other hospices because we are located within a continuum of care community. The residents that live here get to work with us first-hand and don't have to stress about the "shopping around". So along with providing quality care to our on-campus patients we are centrally located to travel almost anywhere in our county (and the counties surrounding us). Most of our patients currently reside in our nursing home setting and the families have the opportunity to watch us partner with the facility staff to provide optimal care

Q: HAVE YOU DONE ANYTHING SPECIFIC TO RETAIN NURSES OR HOSPICE STAFF IN A PROFESSION THAT COMMONLY HAS A HIGHER TURN OVER AND HIGHER BURN OUT?

A: We work in a continuum of care community so we have a nursing home, an assisted living and independent living. Most of the staff we've obtained are through word of mouth. Nurses on contract have left and returned just because they loved it here. Our campus implemented a high-five program to recognize staff that help in big (or little) ways around campus. It comes in the form of a post-it note, you write out why that person deserves a high-five, give it to that person and then they collectively get put on a large board to be drawn for a monthly door prize. Often that board is over-flowing with staff recognizing each other for the work they do day to day.

Questions: Provided by PDCRx

Answers: Provided by Rachel Coleman, Hospice Manager, Luther Manor Hospice

LEARN MORE ABOUT LUTHER MANOR

Taylor Bradshaw, Accounts Manager, PDCRx