Honoring Hospice and Palliative Care Month at Washington Oakes

Oct 22, Alissa Sauer

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and the residents at Washington Oakes are giving their time and effort to support hospice staff and patients. Learn how residents at Washington Oakes senior living in Everett, WA are going above and beyond to help those working with the terminally ill.

What is Hospice Care?

Hospice is medical care that supports people who are terminally ill. This type of care gives people the tools to live as well as possible, for as long as possible. Hospice care teams are comprised of professionals from a variety of backgrounds who are able to address physical, psychosocial, and spiritual stress in their patients and in family members. Hospice workers provide physical or occupational therapy, medication for pain relief, dietary counseling, grief and loss counseling, and much more.

Washington Oakes Residents Support Hospice Workers and Patients

At Washington Oakes, a few residents donate their time and talents to support our local hospice center. One resident, Marie Bond has been making one prayer shawl a week since 2004, making over 800 shawls. When she saw a friend going through hospice, she noticed that her friend had a stuffed animal near her when she felt overwhelmed. From then on, Marie began knitting stuffed animals rather than the shawls. She has made about 30 animals thus far.

Washington Oakes resident Marg Yeabsley was influenced by her sister to begin making prayer shawls for hospice. Working together, the sisters make prayer shawls. Each shawl takes 5 to 6 months to make and is 60 inches long. Shawls are donated to their church and to patients in hospice care.

Kay Standifird is another Washington Oakes resident who has been supporting patients in hospice. She joined the Washington Oakes sewing club as a new resident and joined in the effort right away. Kay has been a hospice patient herself and knows firsthand how caring and compassionate the hospice workers are. As a thank you to nurses and staff, she has also donated her hair to be made into a wig. Kay also crochets red, white, and blue blankets for veterans in hospice.

Washington Oakes independent living and assisted living thanks the highly trained medical professionals that offer emotional and medical support to the millions of people who utilize hospice. If you are looking for a place to donate, consider hospice. Your simple donation can make a huge difference in someone else’s life. Contact us to see how Washington Oakes is improving the lives of seniors in our local community.