Patient Stories
Shattered Family Comforted by VNA Hospice
When Hayward and Brenda Woods first met, their lives seemed more like a television show than real life. As single parents both raising three children, and each with a son being tutored in the same reading program, the two quickly found many interests in common.
Both Dallas natives, Hayward and Brenda encouraged one another in their challenges of raising three children alone.
After the pair began attending church together, they soon married, joking that forming one family with six children was like the 1970’s television show, The Brady Bunch.
But 13 years later, the Woods’ idyllic family life was shattered. At the young age of 49, Hayward was diagnosed with esophageal cancer (a type with an extremely low survival rate) and was recommended for hospice care.
When Hayward was no longer able to work, the Woods lost their private health insurance and the family didn’t qualify for government assistance. Then Hayward’s physician referred him to the Visiting Nurse Association for help.
A VNA Hospice nurse began visiting Hayward three times a week at his family’s home to provide the medical care he needed. A home health aide also came three times a week to assist with Hayward’s personal care.
Pain medications were included with VNA Hospice, as well as a walker, cane, oxygen, and any other medical equipment Hayward needed. His wife and family are deeply grateful for the support they received. “VNA’s care was superb,” Brenda says. “It was beyond what I expected.”
Hayward and Brenda also received support from VNA medical social worker Cindy Nitschke, and a chaplain. Then just before Labor Day, Hayward passed away with his family near.
VNA extends its deep sympathy to the Woods family. To continue providing assistance, VNA grief support groups and monthly luncheons will be available to Brenda and her children to serve their bereavement needs when they are ready.
Through the generosity of VNA supporters, Hayward, Brenda, and their family received the all-encompassing care they needed at a most difficult time in their lives.
The Woods are just one example of the many ways your support provides compassionate VNA services to those who would otherwise go without care. We cannot thank you enough.
Long-Time Recipient Relies on Meals on Wheels
Ernest Lewis doesn’t remember exactly when he moved to Dallas from his hometown of Chisholm, TX, how many years he’s been retired, or how long he has been receiving VNA Meals on Wheels. “It’s been so long,” he says. But what he does know is that his Meals on Wheels drivers show up “between 9:30 and 9:45 every day,” that he relies on their regular visits and really likes the food. “Oh yes I do. I sure do!”
Ernest also clearly recalls his younger years, like his days in the military during WWII, when his army division was “the last to go through Germany,” and his experience working as a John Deere mechanic in Chisholm and later at an auto dealer in Dallas.
At nearly 80 years old, Ernest is frail and requires a walker to get around, which he does slowly and with difficulty. There are no food stores within walking distance of his home and Ernest doesn’t drive. Meal preparation is difficult because of his unsteady gait and the need to keep his hands on the walker when standing.
Ernest has a variety of Meals on Wheels drivers whose company he enjoys. “I like the people who come to see me, ”he says. One of his drivers has been on the same route for 15 years, and tells us that Ernest has remained one of his favorite clients all that time.
It was also a Meals on Wheels driver who recently found Ernest lying on the sidewalk in front and quickly called 911.
It turned out Ernest was fine, and a close family member says, “We’re so glad to have Meals on Wheels people checking on him every day. He really looks forward to the meals. Sometimes he even sits on the porch and waits with a spoon in his pocket!”
Ernest and other VNA clients deeply appreciate the services neighbors like you help provide … a regular meal … a friendly chat . . . a daily “check.” We could not be here for them, without you. Thank you.
Never too Late to Dream
Shirley Bode admits she is a dreamer, even at 90 years old. “As a girl I dreamed about the house I would have someday, about what my husband would be like, and the things we would do together.”
Today Shirley’s husband is a loving memory, having passed away a number of years ago. But Shirley still lives in her own house, and stays busy through her artwork — a wonderful collection of original paintings, color-pencil drawings, and embroidery.
“The designs come from out of my head,” she says. “I just get ideas and start working them out.”
Shirley’s health issues — a heart condition and arthritis — have confined her to a wheelchair for the past 8 years. “I can only walk a few steps,” she says, “just enough to let Molly (her 15- year-old dog) outside. That’s how I get my exercise.”
Remaining independent is important for Shirley, as it is for many seniors. She says, “I hope I never have to move into ‘a home.’” And so far she’s making it, with a little help from some friendly neighbors, and from VNA supporters.
Shirley’s neighbors help her out with grocery shopping and yard work, but daily meal preparation is difficult. “It’s kind of hard to make a balanced meal. That’s why Meals on Wheels is so nice. It’s all I need.”
Shirley adds, “It’s nice to think that people (meaning VNA donors) think about those of us who are old and alone. It’s a wonderful thing they’re doing.” Regarding her future, Shirley laughs, “I’m still trying to get discovered. I’d love to sell my artwork and donate the money to VNA and other organizations. But, like I said, I’m a dreamer.”
VNA deeply appreciates all our Meals on Wheels supporters and volunteers. Your generosity makes it possible for people like Shirley, who dream of remaining in their homes, to have their dreams come true.
Comprehensive Care Keeps Ailing Senior in His Home
Like many of the thousands of people cared for by the Visiting Nurse Association, Ogan DeFreeze lives alone, in a small wood-frame house that has been his home for over 50 years. Partially heated by a space heater during an unusually cold Dallas winter, Ogan’s home is also warmed by the many photographs and mementos he keeps on display.
Unable to drive, Ogan suffers from congestive heart failure — a condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood to the body’s other organs. His “failing” heart keeps working but not as efficiently as it should, making him short of breath and tired. Ogan also suffers from insulin-dependent diabetes, hypertension, and he needs oxygen at night.
To care for his many needs, Ogan was referred to VNA by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. Because of the generous support of our donors, Ogan receives Community Based Alternatives (CBA) and other services through VNA as an alternative to nursing home placement.
Ogan is visited weekly by a VNA nurse and a physical therapist. His personal care attendant, Earlean Brantley, stops in every weekday to do light housekeeping and laundry for him, cooks dinner, and assists with personal grooming.
Ogan also receives VNA Meals on Wheels, and he especially enjoys the Thanksgiving and Christmas deliveries. The comprehensive range of VNA services caring for all his various needs makes it possible for Ogan to continue to live independently in his own home.
“VNA is the homecare provider that has all I need,” Ogan says. “They’re very prompt and they always do a good job.”
Ogan is typical of the people you help when you support VNA with your time and monetary resources. Your generosity allows Ogan and many others like him to remain in their homes.
VNA Cares for a Special Volunteer
For nearly 20 years, Rodney (Rod) Pirtle, a retired Highland Park ISD administrator, faithfully served VNA and his community as he regularly delivered a Meals on Wheels route with the Highland Park Rotary Club. Then suddenly following a freak accident, it was our turn to care for Rod.
Rod and his wife of 52 years, Beth, were featured performers in last September’s Senior Follies. While leaving a practice session one night — just 10 days after having a pacemaker implanted — Rod, an accomplished ukulele player, fell down a flight of 20 concrete stairs. Although the ukulele survived without a scratch, Rod broke several ribs and suffered a serious hematoma on his right side.
Following a short stay in the Baylor Intensive Care Unit, Rod was released and he immediately selected VNA Rehabilitation Services for the four weeks of physical therapy his doctor prescribed. VNA physical therapist Hortencia O’Connor began working with Rod soon after his arrival home. At first she helped him regain his ability to stand and get out of a chair, but within a few visits Rod was doing his exercises on his own.
Rod says that his involvement with VNA Meals on Wheels over the years has been extremely gratifying. “But,” he says, “My experience with VNA Specialty Care showed me how to get well.”
Rod was fortunate that his therapy was covered by Medicare. For the thousands of North Texas residents who lack private insurance or the personal resources to cover their medical expenses, generous community support from VNA donors provides for their care.
VNA Eldercare Friends – Painting a Beautiful Canvas
Meet Marcia Banks and Tina Collins. A client of the VNA Eldercare Friends program, Marcia is an internationally renowned artist. Tina, Marcia’s Eldercare Friend, is a newlywed with a background in non-profit public relations.
Following the death of her husband last year, Marcia began attending monthly VNA Bereavement Luncheons. When she learned about the VNA Eldercare Friends program, she quickly enrolled.
A free service for seniors, VNA Eldercare Friends matches volunteers with seniors who are no longer driving but who can still live independently. Volunteers and clients set their own visit times, typically once a week for a few hours. A volunteer provides companionship, help with shopping and errands, or reading mail. Endearing friendships are often forged.
Marcia smiles as she tells of Tina’s helpfulness. “She will take me anywhere that I need to go.” Tina has had her own challenges this year with the death of her sister, as well as the joyful adjustments of a new marriage. But Marcia adds, “Whatever I ask, Tina says ‘okey-dokey!’ and off we go.”
Tina says, “Marcia and I seem to fit so well together, not to mention that we only live a few minutes apart. She is such a wonderful and unique person with a great sense of humor. I really enjoy the opportunity the VNA provides for me to volunteer because it fits my schedule and lifestyle. I feel so lucky to have met her and be a bit of a help to her. I know we’ll always be friends.”
If you are interested in volunteering or would like to refer someone to the Eldercare Friends program, call Nancy Jellinek at 214-689-2209. To see Marcia’s artwork in full color, you can visit the Banks Fine Arts website at http://www.banksfineart.com and look for Marcia under “living artists.”
Dogged Determination Keeps North Dallas Senior on the Move
At 86, Margaret Williams lives alone… save for her fluffy little dog, who once belonged to Margaret’s only child, Barbara. Barbara and Margaret lived together until 2003, caring for one another, when heart and kidney failure took Barbara’s life at a young 56.
With glaucoma and diabetes severely limiting her eyesight, Margaret relies on bi-monthly visits from her niece in Tyler to help her run errands and shop for groceries. Since she “can’t stand up long enough to scramble eggs,” Margaret relies on daily meal deliveries from VNA’s Meals on Wheels volunteers.
Other important VNA services Margaret uses are a Telehealth monitor, which “calls out” to her twice a day to check her vital signs, and weekly visits by her VNA nurse.
“VNA has great service,” Margaret says. “I’ve really had good response anytime I’ve had problems.” Of course, even with all VNA’s help, there’s one 4-legged caretaker Margaret still counts on every day. “She keeps me doing my exercise,” Margaret says with a grin. Without the MOW supporters and volunteers like you, Margaret and hundreds of older and disabled people like her would not be able to live in their own homes.
Helping Others Is a Great Way to Heal
Handsome, 50-ish, athletically-built, Bob Barkley had been diagnosed with diverticulitis and finally consented to arthroscopic surgery in early 2008. Four days after surgery, complications led doctors to discover a perforation in his colon, forcing them to perform an ileostomy. After 10 days in intensive care, three more weeks in hospital, and another week in a rehabilitation facility, Bob finally went home. He was delighted to learn his physician had referred him for VNA Home Healthcare to treat his wounds.
Bob was reassured that his nurses always brought his needed medical supplies, yet he wondered aloud to one of them, “What do people do if they cannot afford to buy ileostomy materials?” He was unsettled when she replied, “They sometimes make do.”
Bob healed, was able to have his ileostomy reversed, and went back to work with the goal in mind of getting back to running every day. Bob has always strived to be a compassionate, community-minded person who translates his faith into positive action. He concludes:“You may think you have a good sense of charity when you are healthy, but when you are weak, you are humbled. In your brokenness, you come to understand. Helping someone else helped me heal.” VNA thanks Bob for his generosity and the help he is providing so others with fewer resources are not forced to “make do.”
VNA Comforts Through End-of-Life, and Beyond
James and Helen Gaulding typified the modern kind of retired couples found all across North Dallas. It was the second marriage for each that created a blended family with five children. After many happy years together, including an active retirement that included many memorable cruises to places such as Morocco, Switzerland, Italy, and other exotic locales, in the spring of 2007, James suffered an incapacitating stroke.
Caring for James by herself was more physically demanding than Helen could handle. Thankfully, a friend suggested the Visiting Nurse Association. Based on James’ diagnosis, his physician referred james for Bridge Care, a form of home health care offered when a patient is not expected to recover but is not yet ready for Hospice.
But James was slipping and after a few short months was placed on Hospice. This was a hard time for Helen, the children, and the grandchildren. But Helen says, “Everyone VNA sent was top notch and had our best interests at heart. I absolutely could not have kept James at home if VNA hadn’t been there.“
James passed away at home with Helen nearby. VNA thanks its donors who ensure that people without financial resources also face the end of life with dignity and comfort at home.
Giving and Giving Back
Thelma Jones is a smartly dressed lady with beautiful milk chocolate skin and perfectly coifed gray hair, who gave much to her Waco community until, at age 85, she needed help. When it became clear in 2005 that Thelma could no longer live alone, her niece Shirley and her husband Joe invited Thelma to share their small South Dallas apartment with them—and Jasmine, the cockatiel.
“It was,” Shirley said, “time for us to give now, just as Aunt Thelma had always given to her community. And it is especially important because she is our family.”
Thelma receives a daily noontime meal every weekday from Meals on Wheels. Because Shirley is so busy caring for Joe, who recently had eye surgery, as well as her 18-month-old granddaughter, knowing that Thelma is cared for during lunchtime is truly comforting.
Thelma’s regular Meals on Wheels volunteer delivery team, Vivienne and Henrietta who are employees with On-Target Supplies & Logistics, Ltd., are glad to be able to give to someone else.
“Something might happen to us or to our families someday,” they remarked. “By giving, we hope someone will do the same for us.”
It is the gifts of time, talent, and treasure from its donors and volunteers that allows VNA to provide Meals on Wheels to so many deserving people like Thelma.
A Need for a Friend
Nora, a 90-year old widow, contacted VNA because she needed transportation getting to doctor appointments. She lives alone in her own home. A daughter and grandchildren live in the area, but full-time jobs prevent them from driving Nora places during the day. VNA Eldercare provides a volunteer to drive Nora to her appointments and other errands and to check up on her occasionally. Support from the community helps the elderly to continue living in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes.
Independent Again
Forty-one year old Howard was hospitalized after an automobile accident that caused a small bowel injury with lacerations and resulted in a colostomy. When discharged home, Howard needed follow-up instruction to care for his wound and to learn how to manage his colostomy. With home care by a VNA nurse, Howard recovered from his injury and returned to independent living. Howard had no insurance but community funds made it possible for VNA to provide care anyway.
Care and Love at End of Life
Diagnosed with a terminal illness, Walter chose to receive VNA hospice. He was able to live at home rather than seek hospitalization or nursing home care. For the duration of his illness, Walter remained comfortable. His wife, Helen, was appreciative that Walter was able to remain near his family. Besides palliative care, VNA hospice provided spiritual and emotional support. Donations from the community allow VNA Hospice to care for and comfort patients and their families even when they cannot afford to pay.
VNA Therapist Puts Harold Back on His Feet
Married for 58 years, Beverly and Harold were a self-sufficient couple until a hip replacement forced Harold into a short stay at a rehabilitation unit. When he was discharged, Harold was delighted to be home--that is, until he began trying to walk on the carpet and step into and out of the bathtub. At 82, Beverly just couldn't care for 87 year-old Harold by herself. The entire family was concerned until Harold's physician referred him for VNA physical and occupational therapy. The physical therapist taught Harold how to safely transfer in and out of bed. Through exercise and gait training, Harold walked further every day. The occupational therapist obtained a tub transfer bench and showed Harold how to bathe and dress while taking precautions against additional injury. It wasn't long before Beverly just stood by to assist as needed. Beverly and Harold say he could not have progressed at home without the help of VNA.
