” Spirituality transcends ideology. We want to use arts to help people pass peacefully.”
— Rick Clayton
patient quarters. Futons will provide sleeping space for family members or caregivers, and the church’ s grounds provide places for enjoying the outdoors, including a labyrinth. The former church sanctuary will be used for group meetings, educational discussions, and other purposes. The entire 7,440-square-foot building has been dedicated to the new effort.
Initially, one family at a time will be served for approximately the last month of a patient’ s life. Harmony’ s model is based on these principles:
• Natural and drug-free reduction or alleviation of pain caused by stress and anxiety.
• Affirmation of life and the regarding of death as a natural process.
• The intention to neither hasten nor postpone death.
• Integration of psychosocial, psychological, cultural, and spiritual aspects of patient care.
• Offering a support system to help patients live as actively and die as peacefully as possible.
The board of directors for the Harmony organization includes a doctor, two hospice nurses, an arts advisor, and a licensed social worker.
“ To me, the best way to find God,” Clayton says,“ is to be of service to people.”
“ Spirituality transcends ideology,” he said, and the palliative care initiative is nondenominational. Clayton, who is director of the facility, said he can minister to people of all faiths, or none.“ We want to use arts to help people pass peacefully.”
Clayton believes Harmony is the first palliative care facility of its type in Indiana, though similar places have been attempted on the east and west coasts. Harmony differs from traditional hospice services because it is neither a medical care facility, nor a service which visits patients in their homes. In addition, most traditional hospice facilities“ won’ t do what they can’ t bill for,” he said.
“ Think of it as a change of address for the patient,” he said, as Medicare or other insurance policies pay for medical services rendered by teams that visit the patients for pain management or other medical care. He said the facility will be open to anyone with hospice benefits.
For more contact < wholenotes @ mac. com > or your hospice provider. •
May / June 2023 • Our Brown County 45