Adviser LeadingAge New York Winter 2014 Winter 2014 | Page 33

effort to ensure others get the
same help.
“When I see that a resident isn’t
doing very well or has had a
decline, I try to get the referral in
as soon as possible so they get the
full benefit. I think the patients
really benefit from early referrals.
If their illness is progressing,
it gives them a chance to build
an element of trust with their
hospice team, and make their
needs and wants known.”
Community Hospice patient care
supervisor Stacy McHale-McBain
was one of those who helped
build and solidify the relationship
with Wesley. In 2013, about 50

Wesley Health Care Center
residents were admitted to
hospice.
“We were able to really show
them what our value was by
using all of our team members,
including our music therapist
and massage therapist,” she says.
“We have quite a few patients
who have dementia, who’ve had
agitation and anxiety issues, and
our therapists really know how to
help them relax…sometimes just
by playing music from their era.”
McHale-McBain says it’s a
collaborative effort, where hospice
is able to provide added value that
supplements the value the nursing

home staff provides. By offering
additional support for patients
and families, hospice relieves
some of the pressure the nursi