Butterfly Moments: Inspiration & Guidance from AseraCare Hospice 7/01/2025

Supporting You, One Moment at a Time

Author

Allison Howell
November 18, 2024

Welcome to the first issue of Butterfly Moments: Inspiration & Guidance from AseraCare Hospice!

Our goal is to provide a comforting, informative space where you can find insights, tips, and encouragement.

Whether you’re a caregiver, a family member seeking support, a healthcare administrator, or part of a business development team, we’re here to walk alongside you with compassion and care. Thank you for joining us on this journey to inspire and support those we serve.

Enjoy all the sections below:

The Heart of Hospice Care: What It Means for You and Your Community

  • Hospice care is more than just medical support—it’s about creating a space for comfort, dignity, and meaningful moments for patients and families. At AseraCare, we work closely with families and healthcare professionals to ensure every individual receives the compassionate care they deserve.

For administrators and referral sources: Consider how hospice services can enhance the care experience for your residents or patients by providing holistic support for both physical and emotional well-being.

November is Alzheimer's Awareness Month.

It is widely said that food shows caring, and without proper nutrition and hydration, patients can experience hunger or thirst. For individuals in end-stage dementia, eating and swallowing challenges often lead to weight loss, as they may no longer understand what eating is or how to use utensils.

Dry mouth, difficulty sensing food in the mouth, and trouble understanding their surroundings can make mealtime stressful.

End-stage dementia patients often eat less due to both the disease itself and the challenges with eating and swallowing.

With helpful feeding skills, reduced distractions, and good oral care, we can create a more supportive mealtime environment, helping patients receive the nourishment and comfort they need.

For administrators and referral sources: Did you know that our staff are trained in our Dementia Care Specialty Program?

This week, we’re celebrating our incredible team of Home Health Aides, whose compassionate hearts and skilled hands bring comfort and dignity to those in their care🦋 Their dedication is a gift to our patients, their families, and our entire community. Each day, they go above and beyond to make a difference, and we couldn’t be prouder to honor them!

Join us in thanking our HHAs for the joy, care, and strength they bring to our Fresno AseraCare Hospice Care Center. 🌼👏

Little Practices, Big Impact: Happiness Starts Here

Weekly Happiness Tip: "Moments of Gratitude"

Taking a few minutes each day to note down what you’re thankful for can improve mood and bring peace.

Try writing down three things you appreciate today—it’s a simple practice with a big impact.

Quote of the Week:

“Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne

Creating Meaningful Connections: Events Recap

At AseraCare Hospice, we’ve had the privilege of celebrating our veterans and fostering meaningful connections over the last week.

We were at Carmel Village at Clovis and the Clovis Senior Center, where we gathered with veterans who courageously shared their stories, creating moments of camaraderie, respect, and gratitude.

Adding a personal touch to these events were the thoughtful cards and artwork from teachers and students in the Clovis Unified and Fresno Unified School Districts. A special thank-you to Miss Circo's 7th graders at Reyburn Intermediate School and Mrs Miller’s TK/Kinder class at King Elementary for their handmade cards, which brought smiles and heartfelt moments to our veterans.

We’re also grateful to Fairwinds - Woodward Park for welcoming us to present Coping with Holiday Stress and Depression. This intimate gathering highlighted the importance of sharing experiences and finding support during the holiday season, a time that can bring unique challenges.

To our veterans, young card-makers, and the communities that support us—thank you for making these gatherings truly memorable. Together, we’re creating a network of respect, connection, and appreciation for those who’ve given so much. 💌❤️

Upcoming Events to Inspire and Uplift

🦋We are excited to be presenting Hospice 101 at Autumn Ridge to help educate the staff about the hospice process from referral to care.

🦋We will be at the Clovis Senior Center this week sharing the Happiness Formula for Caregivers.

🦋We also have a Holiday Stress and Depression session scheduled at Carmel Village.

Please contact our Community Engagement Coordinator, Allison, at 559-447-2540 or via email [email protected] .

FAQs

Who can attend these trainings and events?

Our events are designed for caregivers, healthcare professionals, staff at skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, and members of the elderly community, and their loved ones.

Are these events free to attend?

Yes, all of our community engagement events are offered at no cost to participants.

How do I sign up for a training or event?

You can register by contacting our Community Engagement Coordinator directly via phone or email, or by reaching out to your Hospice Liaison.

Can trainings be customized for different audiences?

Yes, we can tailor our trainings to meet the unique needs of different audiences, including seniors, family members, healthcare professionals, caregivers, or specific facility staff. Let us know your specific requirements, and we will work with you to customize the content to ensure it’s relevant and valuable for your team.

Have questions about how AseraCare can support you, your loved ones, or your team? Let’s connect—we’re here to help. We’re just a call or click away.

Hospice is 100% covered by Medicare for all eligible patients and is covered by most Medicaid and commercial insurance plans. Anyone can refer a patient to hospice, and the evaluation is free.

If you're not sure whether you or your loved one might be eligible to receive hospice care, this brief questionnaire might help by providing a personalized report.

Please reach out to our Hospice Community Engagement Coordinator, Allison, at 559-447-2540 or [email protected] 

Want to make a difference in your community? Consider becoming a hospice volunteer.

Whether you have a special talent you'd like to share, want to help with administrative tasks, or would like to spend time with our patients,

We have a place for you.

There are many types of opportunities to volunteer in Hospice, including:

• providing direct care activities, such as patient companionship visits
• assisting with Bereavement Support
• performing administrative duties
• utilizing professional talents, i.e. Hairdressing, barber, etc.
• providing Complementary and Alternative therapies (as approved)
• providing certified Pet Therapy visits
• providing respite care
• sitting vigil with dying patients
• engaging in Veteran specific programs, such as Vet-to-Vet cafés,
Veteran pinnings, etc.

Stay connected with AseraCare on social media for daily updates, resources, and inspiration.

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