Good Samaritan Hospice Of Pittsburgh

GSH also offers Inpatient care for help in the assessment and management of acute, complex, or uncontrolled symptoms such as pain or shortness of breath. The Inpatient Units (IPUs) focus on caring for patients with high acuity that cannot be managed at home, such as complicated delivery mechanisms i.e., subcutaneous, frequent dose titration, and skilled nursing care with frequent monitoring can be provided in the general inpatient setting. GSH provided this level of care to 574 patients and their families during this fiscal year end. 7,545 visits were provided to patients in the IPUs. The hospice staff are available in this specific setting around the clock to consult and provide support to families as they journey through the progression of the disease. Short-term respite care is also provided by nursing staff to alleviate the burden on family caregivers. For many years, the Concordia at Cabot IPU and the Heritage Valley Beaver Hospital IPU helped countless patients navigate their end-of-life journey, while serving as beacons of light and hope for the families affected by their loved one's passing. The amazing, compassionate work that was carried out on those two units will be remembered for generations. During the fiscal year, the decision was made to cease inpatient hospice operations at two of our three units. As of August 31, 2023, the Concordia at Cabot IPU was closed. As of June 24, 2024, the Heritage Valley Beaver Hospital IPU officially served its last hospice patient. As of the close of the fiscal year, The IPU level of care is offered at one location in the Hospice House in Wexford. Good Samaritan Hospice had 58 active volunteers. The active volunteers participated in bereavement, clerical, patient service, inpatient unit support, and special events. These volunteers visit patients, read them stories, create craft projects, play music, sing, and provide pet therapy visits. In addition, they provide spiritual support through prayer, singing hymns, scripture reading, and simply offer a quiet, calm presence during the last few hours of life. A team of volunteers worked diligently at beautifying the flower gardens at our inpatient units in Wexford. The patients and families have thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful landscape and flower arrangements. Over each holiday season, our volunteers graciously help decorate our inpatient units making them feel welcoming for families and visitors. Volunteers routinely bake treats and cook meals for our inpatient units; these homecooked meals are appreciated by families and visitors. We also have a team of pet therapy volunteers who visit patients and family members in our inpatient units. Students preparing to become Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses were also offered educational opportunities at our Beaver and Wexford inpatient locations. Students from the Community College of Beaver County (CCBC), Heritage Valley School of Nursing, and Lenape Practical Nursing completed approximately 296 clinical hours with Good Samaritan Hospice. These opportunities allowed for hands-on training and experience in a skilled setting.

In 2020, Good Samaritan Hospice introduced Youth Bereavement Care (YBC), a division of Family Support Services which has grown from the need for innovative ways to reach grieving children year-round. The program provides free support for youth from birth through age 21 who have been affected by the death of a significant person in their lives. YBC is open to not only our hospice and extended Concordia families but also to the greater community. The mission of YBC is to make an impactful difference in the lives of children and teens by providing resources, clinical support and year-round connection with other families who are grieving. Enriched programming provides robust support to children and youth as they navigate their own unique grief. YBC services are free and include a variety of virtual and in-person programming, such as grief counseling, peer support, individual and family groups, grief education and day retreats. YBC is staffed by grief and bereavement experts as well as clinicians who are trained in child mental and behavioral health and provide connective resources within the grief community. A free In-Person Event was held on Saturday October 14, 2023 at the Middlesex office location called the Art of Healing. The event was a creative workshop for children who have lost a loved one and their caregivers. The attendees participated in activities and breakout sessions and created their own artwork. The children and family members were given canvases and a ceramic mug to create during the day. Each person took their completed projects home at the end of the event. Nine GSH employees volunteered and gave over 110 hours of time to plan and prepare and execute this workshop which served 25 children and families. A second Youth Bereavement grief workshop was held on March 9, 2024 entitled March Memories. This event was also at the Middlesex Office location where 27 children and caregivers participated. Each child created a memory box with items special to them or their loved one to help them remember and express emotion regarding their loss. They were also given a book entitled The Memory Box to take home in addition to their finished boxes. Seven employees and volunteer spent over 67 hours to plan and implement this event. During the fiscal year, work began to create a dedicated Youth Bereavement Room at the Middlesex office to better serve the children who participate in the program.