Hospice Month

Honoring Hospice...Celebrating Life

As we celebrate National Hospice Month,
lights adorn the Lake Sunapee VNA building
at 107 Newport Road in New London to
reflect the value of hospice and the bright
light of every life.

Memory Garden with Sign

Reflections from our Hospice Families

"Even as a retired nurse, I didn’t realize everything that hospice had to offer. I discovered it’s all about comfort and being home, for both the patient and the family. The staff would always give me a hug at the end of each visit, and that small gesture was so meaningful. It gave me the strength to carry on. It was a horrible time, but an amazing experience to know we weren’t alone on our journey.” ~ Judy Bruguiere

“My parents were so in love and had strong faith and wanted to pass at home. With the help of Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice, their wishes were answered. It was such a difficult time to take care of and watch both decline and pass at home, but with the help of the Hospice team, they made the transition as smooth as possible. They gave them utmost care. Always with a smile on their face, their care, knowledge, and guidance were top notch. My parents loved them and felt comfortable and cared for. They also had lots of laughs together, which is the best medicine of all!" ~ Mary (Catrambone) Mallgraf

"Michael fought a courageous battle with cholangiocarcinoma for 25 months. His courage will forever live on in us. The last five months, he chose hospice since the cancer was progressing and chemo was no longer his choice to prolong his life. The cancer had metastasized to lymph nodes, and treatment was no longer his option to fight this beast of a cancer. My heart will forever be filled with gratitude for the dedication of the Lake Sunapee VNA & Hospice nurses. Their visits brought him joy and hope to his last days here with us. Michael passed peacefully in his home, and I am forever grateful the VNA was with us in his final months." ~ Patricia Estrada

"In the beginning, I had no idea what Hospice does. I did know that my husband John would be cared for at home no matter what. John had COPD and a frozen aortic valve. He was diagnosed with these two slow acting debilitating diseases about 4 years ago. The doctors told me it was like he was climbing a hill, then falling off the top. About 2 years later, the doctors told me that he had reached the precipice and was falling off. At this point, I felt he was doing well…needing care, but I felt I could handle it. After all, I am an old RN. I am also very stubborn. As time went on, our 4 sons, their wives and friends were telling me I had to get help. Enter Hospice. Wow, what an uplifting, wonderful experience. I had no idea there would be so much more that could be done to make John more comfortable and safe. Every single person that came to care for John was an angel, and he loved each and every one of these amazing people. Every one of these angels knew their job and did it well. If I had questions, they knew the answer or got the answer. Dear Hospice, please accept my heartfelt thank you for making what could be a very difficult time a comfortable, warm, loving experience. ~ Julie Morse (shown below with husband John and Great Grandson William)

Reflections from our Hospice Staff

"Hospice has a near and dear place in my heart. I was a hospice nurse in the field years ago. It’s such a gift we can give to patients." Learn more about hospice from Caitlin Barden, RN, Chief Clinical Officer, at at Lake Sunapee Region VNA Hospice Program – YCN Now

Spiritual Care Counselors play an important role in our team approach to caring for hospice patients and their caregivers and families. In hospice, spirituality is sometimes defined as the way in which we seek and express meaning, purpose, connectedness and hope. For some, this may involve religious support. For others, it may be as simple as sharing and reflecting on the things that bring meaning to that person’s life. Learn more about our spiritual care services during this short interview with Cinnamon Blomquist, Spiritual Care Coordinator, at https://ycnnow.com/2022/11/10/spiritual-care-coordinator-for-the-lake-sunapee-region-hospice

“I was drawn to hospice and palliative care because I can treat the whole person and not just the disease. Through all my schooling and experience, to providing hospice care for my grandparents in my family’s home, I was definitely drawn to this role.”

Rebecca Lacasse, DNP, APRN, Hospice & Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

“It’s a true privilege to be a part of the hospice team. I feel it’s a very intimate moment, with not just the client, but also the family. Each family that I have interacted with has touched my heart in some way. They say we bring light to them; they also bring light to me in so many ways.”