Families share at CHP Hospice dinner/auction

Local hospice services were in the spotlight at the 22nd CHP Hospice “Beacon of Hope” dinner/auction on Oct. 7 at the Junior Fair Building at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds.

The families of the late Peter Clemens and Jane Mason spoke about their experiences with the CHP Hospice program.

Peter Clemens family

Clemens’ daughter, Jill Welch, shared that her father-in-law, mother-in-law, mother, and father, were each on hospice services.

“The CHP Hospice team enabled me to deal with the passing of four very important people,” Welch said. “I am so appreciative of that. It has also helped me to support others as they go through this journey with their family.”

Clemens received hospice services as a resident at Van Wert Manor in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Our staff was able to be there when the family couldn’t,” said Cindy Sinning, RN, supervisor for CHP Home Care & Hospice. “We worked closely with the family, communicating with them and his physician, making sure he was comfortable and helping them to cope.”

Jane Mason family

Naomi “Jane” Mason began receiving assistance in her home when her family purchased home care aide services as a gift. As her health changed, Mason transitioned from personal care and housekeeping assistance to nursing care and eventually hospice.

“The same nurses and aides provided hospice care that she had come to know over the years through home care,” Sinning said.

Mason’s daughter, Kim, spoke on behalf of the family. CHP Hospice also provided care to several other family members, she said.

“That’s the difference with a local hospice program,” Mason said, “CHP has been part of this community for years. The nurses and aides are people who live right here. You might see them at the store or at a ballgame. It’s like a family.”

Friends of hospice

The event also included remarks by Dr. Kristen Pollock, CHP Hospice medical director, and prayer by Todd Stoller, CHP Hospice chaplain. Streetlight Catering provided the meal and students from Lincolnview High School helped to serve.

Bob Gamble, Rob Gamble, Daryl Strickler, and Dale Butler of Bee Gee Realty & Auction Co. were the emcees/auctioneers. Second Crossing Brew Co. of Rockford provided a cash bar. Baker’s Table, Crumb Coat, Flour Loves Sugar, and Streetlight Catering prepared desserts.

CHP honored Schrader Real Estate and Auction Co., and Van Wert County Emergency Management Agency director, Rick McCoy as “Friends of Hospice” for their support of the CHP Hospice program and its events.

CHP patient care fund

Proceeds from the event benefit the CHP Hospice patient care fund, which pays uncovered patient expenses.

Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance plans cover hospice services. However, these payments do not always meet the costs and some patients have financial and coverage deficiencies.

“As a nonprofit agency, we don’t want to deny services to anyone,” Sinning said. “We rely on the support of our local community to meet the needs of families facing the difficulty of losing a loved one.”

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