Westside resident Jim Pennington is an expert at living each day as if it’s your last. He’s had 40 years of experience doing just that. Pennington had his first heart attack 40 years ago, at the age of 42. It…
On January 6, 1977, a small group of medical, business and religious leaders gathered at Mt. St. Mary’s seminary to discuss a major gap in health care services in Greater Cincinnati: a lack of end-of-life care. By August, the nation’s…
Doll therapy involves offering dolls to adults who are living with dementia to improve their comfort, engagement, and quality of life. Doll therapy is typically used for people who are in the middle or late stages of dementia.
“It’s soul-stirring and soul-draining. It’s overwhelming. It’s a gift. It’s what feeds my soul.” This is how Hospice of Cincinnati social worker Jennifer Vinel, BSW, LSW, describes her job. Not everyone is lucky enough to have found their life’s calling,…
For National Vietnam War Veterans Day, officially recognized on March 29th every year, Hospice of Cincinnati honored Veteran patients who served in the United States Armed Forces from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location. Vietnam Veteran…
Imagine that the last few months of your life were spent in and out of hospital intensive care units and emergency rooms. Your heart is failing. You’re constantly battling shortness of breath, swollen legs, heart palpitations and dizziness, among other…
A texture of reverence filled the room. Fibers of love, honor and respect wrapped snugly around the 79-year-old Army veteran. Smooth notes of the national anthem permeated the air. Words of recognition knitted the past to the present. It was…
The bereavement team at HOC Navigators’ Goldstein Family Grief Center says support from family and friends plays a significant role in the healing process. “Supporting someone through this process is very important because grief is very isolating, even within the…
When John and Maddie enter a room, people take notice. Eyes brighten. Smiles erupt. Even the air feels lighter. It’s a break, if you will, from life’s heavier dealings. John Wood is a volunteer with Hospice of Cincinnati. His furry…
You are on a journey that can be frightening, painful and often very lonely. There are no magic words or actions that can take that pain away. Paying attention to your grief, to the many facets of it, is the…