VNA HealthCare Earns National Institute for Jewish Hospice Accreditation
Woven into the fabric of every faith and culture are unique sets of beliefs and traditions relating to end-of-life care. For decades, Hartford-based home care agency VNA HealthCare’s hospice team has provided culturally sensitive hospice and palliative care to individuals of diverse ages, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds within the 40 communities it serves.
“Understanding, respecting, and honoring each culture’s perspectives toward life and death at such a vulnerable time is essential to ensuring the quality of life for our terminally ill patients and their families,” said Ellen Rothberg, President and CEO of VNA HealthCare.
To continue to provide the best possible end-of-life care to Greater Hartford’s Jewish population, VNA HealthCare has earned accreditation from the National Institute for Jewish Hospice (NIJH). The only not-for-profit home care agency in
Donna Gordon, MSW, LICSW, Supervisor of Hospice Social Services, explained that integral to maintaining the program’s coveted NIJH accreditation is the ongoing education of all hospice staff and volunteers. Led by Rabbi Yitzchok Adler of
In addition to educating the team, Rabbi Adler also serves as the program’s Jewish Spiritual Counselor. “I am the primary resource for the team, the patients and their families regarding any questions pertaining to matters of religion. If someone is already closely affiliated with a synagogue, I act as a liaison, bringing them together if desired. If not, I’m happy to provide spiritual guidance that is commensurate with their family theology.”
Rabbi Adler explained that such support can be “a big help for spouses of Jewish patients who may not be familiar with Jewish concepts and practices of death, dying and mourning.”Gordon explained that the program also offers Jewish hospice volunteers who can help support patients and families in the home. “Just being able to talk and connect with someone who has lived the same beliefs can make our patients feel more comfortable and at peace,” she said.
“Every religion has doctrines that intend to provide guidance to patients and families at life’s end. It is critical that a hospice team be fluent with the spiritual paradigm of clients’ families so as to provide the most meaningful possible support,” explained Rabbi Adler. “A hospice team that has been trained and prepared for encounters with specific religious populations can accomplish acts of compassion and support that otherwise would not be achievable.”
“The Jewish Hospice Program is about life,” he continued. “It’s about trying to anticipate what we would want from others ... and being human in how we reach out to them.”
For more information on VNA HealthCare’s Jewish Hospice program or for information on becoming a Jewish Hospice volunteer, call Donna Gordon at (860) 493-7349.
Caption: Rabbi Adler and
About The National Institute for Jewish Hospice (NIJH)
The National Institute for Jewish Hospice was established in 1985 by Rabbi Dr. Maurice Lamm and Shirley Lamm to help alleviate suffering in serious and terminal illness. Its 52,000 members comprise business and professional leaders, and a consortium of endowing foundations. It communicates with hospices, hospitals, family service, medical organizations and all health-care agencies alerting them to the plight of the Jewish terminally ill.
