Busy Hands, Calm Minds

Blankets with Panache 

This week, Eve and I had the pleasure of receiving five gorgeous and creative handmade tactile lap quilts (also referred to as "busy blankets") from one of our volunteers, Barb Cockrell. For those who may not be familiar, these quilts are typically designed for people experiencing anxiety, agitation and/or dementia and can be extremely helpful in an effort to busy their hands while calming their minds. 

Barb's quilts are made from squares of soft, velvety flannel, satin, shaggy and/or yummy fabric! Each has its own personality! In addition, notice the various buttons, zippers, ties, do-dads, snaps - and even, a squishy football  (move over Peyton Manning)! 

If you know of an individual who would benefit from one of these quilts, please let us know. And, if any of you have (or know people who have), talents in this area, we would love to have additional quilts made to share with our patients as needed. Let me know if you would like additional information about helping with this effort. 

And, on behalf of everyone at Agape, thank you Barb! The fruits of your labor are truly lovely and deeply appreciated. 

With warmth and gratitude for each you,

Beth Kelly

A Little Warmth for Our Colorado Cold Snap

Today seems a particularly fitting day for a "Wednesday Warmth." Thanks to everyone who is braving the elements to be sure our folks are well cared for and tucked-in during this cold weather snap. 

I am coming up on my 10-year anniversary in CO, and weather like this still takes my breath away. This edition of "Wednesday Warmth" includes an excerpt from a visit note received from our lovely volunteer, Jan. I believe this would have been a touching moment for most of us, but particularly for Jan. She has always been so generous in sharing that one of the primary reasons she volunteers in hospice is because she cared for her beloved husband Fred prior to his passing from early on-set Alzheimer's. Fred was a Cardiologist in Denver and Jan worked at the same hospital. That is where the love story began. Some, though not enough, years later, Fred was stricken with Alzheimer's at a young age. When Jan meets with our new volunteers, she is vulnerable enough to share this story and also remind everyone to never forget, "there is still someone in there." Read on for Jan's most recent experience.

"Sylvie (who has end stage Dementia) and I sat at the table together after her daughter left and talked for a bit. She wanted to go and wanted me to take her so I wheeled her over by the couch, where we sat and talked. Then she wanted to go again, so I wheeled her to where I could sit in a chair beside her. We were sitting there, I was holding her hand, and a song came on the radio that said “Hello is there anyone in there” and I repeated that to Sandee. She looked me right in the eyes (which she doesn’t usually do) and said “There sure is”! I said, "Yes there is, isn’t there?" and she shook her head yes. It was a very touching moment."

Thanks for such a poignant and beautiful reminder, Jan. And thanks to all of our wonderful volunteers who give of their spirits, time and energy each and every day...

Beth Kelley, Volunteer Services Manager

Mary Mitchell: Utility Player

Mary Mitchell just celebrated her six-year anniversary as an Agape volunteer! How did she spend her evening? Mary and her pet partner, Rawley, visited patient Felicity D. over at a local care facility. 

Mary is what I like to call a "utility player." Upon their arrival, it became clear that while Rawley was there for a doggie visit, what Felicity really needed was some calming presence. Mary and Rawley are one of our pet partner teams, but Mary is also a companion, Reiki practitioner and reflexologist. In a wonderful example of blending roles, Mary put on her Reiki hat while Rawley waited in the wings. In a short amount of time, Felicity's anxiety appeared to go down triple-fold.

Only then was Felicity ready to enjoy Rawley's company. So while Mary could have gone out to dinner to celebrate her Agape anniversary, she chose to do one of the many things she does best: give a little of her time and spirit in support of another. Thank you Mary and Rawley!

--Beth Kelley, Volunteer Coordinator

Moon Over Mountains Threshold Choir

Susanna had spent the night in a chair, at the bedside of her father, Ray. A patient of Agape Hospice, he was nearing the end of his life. A little after 8 a.m., at Susanna's request, a small choir arrived at his bedside and began to sing. They sang songs that honored his roots in Appalachian music and his faith, Christianity. 

They sang gentle, quiet, exquisite harmonies, their songs floating out into the hall of the facility where Ray lived. Susanna held his hand as the women sang. 

After the choir left, the facility Director saw that Ray’s once rapid breath had slowed, and he looked at peace. Ray died three hours later. The Director expressed her thanks for the privilege of having Moon Over Mountains, saying, “We are ready to be called on again.”  

Thank you to the threshold choir, for honoring Ray and his family with your gift. 

JJ Blow Your Horn!

JJ is a 76-year-old Agape patient who is living at a Denver nursing facility.  Soon after enrolling in hospice care, JJ was visited by Agape volunteer Sue Jones. The two “clicked,” becoming friends in a hot hurry. 

This mutual trust led JJ to share about his life, his loves and his appreciation for Sue being patient with his quiet and sometimes hard- to-understand speech. Early on, Sue learned that JJ used to play and was crazy about the saxophone, but he hadn't picked one up in years.

Once she learned about JJ's love of the sax, Sue got to work. After multiple phone calls around the community, Agape Volunteer Coordinator Eve located a sax through Marty Goldstein (another beloved volunteer). What Eve, Marty and Sue coordinated became music to JJ's ears.

Here is Sue’s update about her first visit with the sax. She said: 

“JJ kept kissing my hands and thanking me (and Agape) for making him feel ‘like he was in heaven.’ He spent a lot of time just touching all the keys and hardware, admiring the instrument and telling me about his previous musical experience beginning as a young boy. He was the only one in his family to play any type of instrument and spent hours each evening and weekend practicing until he was good enough to play in a band. One of the highlights of his life was to play with his band on the Queen Mary in Southern California! The first several tries produced no sounds at all, but JJ kept at it until he was able to get a few squeaky notes and then deeper tones. JJ has been instructed to do breathing exercises and he believes that practicing playing the saxophone will really increase his breathing capacity. After a three-hour visit, I promised to bring the saxophone again next week. He gave me a huge hug and was at a loss for words to express how much he enjoyed being able to see, hold, and play his favorite instrument.”

JJ has been instructed to do breathing exercises and he believes that practicing playing the saxophone will really increase his breathing capacity. After a three-hour visit, I promised to bring the saxophone again next week. He gave me a huge hug and was at a loss for words to express how much he enjoyed being able to see, hold, and play his favorite instrument.”

Eve, Marty and Sue, what a show of kindness, resourcefulness and teamwork! Agape volunteers bring joy to people’s lives in such personal ways. --Beth Kelly, Volunteer Services Manager