Loved Ones of Hospice Patients Trim Memory Tree

Dec. 7, 2012 - PRLog -- [Hammond, La.]—North Oaks Hospice held its 20th annual Hospice Memory Tree gathering on Thurs., Dec. 6 in the E. Brent Dufreche Conference Center in Hammond. The Memory Tree event is attended by family members and caregivers of former patients as part of North Oaks Hospice’s Bereavement Program.

Family members and caregivers of former patients are invited to hang ornaments on the tree in memory of their loved ones and receive support from Hospice staff members.

Shirley Hunt of Hammond was among Memory Tree guests. She is pictured third from left with Sr. June Englebrecht, North Oaks Hospice Bereavement Coordinator/Chaplain; Charles Bigner, North Oaks Hospice Chaplain; and Social Worker Deborah Kirby, RN. She attended in memory of her late husband, Milton Hunt, who was a Hospice patient for 1 month before passing on Aug. 28, 2012. She helped to trim the tree with a "Popeye the Sailor Man" ornament in memory of Milton, who owned a Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen franchise in Hammond for 34 years. The ornament was handmade by Shirley's aunt, Illys Utz.

“North Oaks Hospice is a wonderful service," Shirley shares. "The whole team was very supportive.”

Hospice is a special kind of care given in the home that provides support in a sensitive manner for patients with a life-limiting, progressive illness. The North Oaks Hospice team of professionals focuses on the patient’s emotional, physical and spiritual needs and emphasizes the importance of the patient’s quality of life.

North Oaks Hospice consistently ranks in the top 1% nationally for patient and family satisfaction, according to national, independent Press Ganey surveys.

North Oaks Hospice offers complimentary evaluations with no obligation. For more information about North Oaks Hospice, call (985) 230-7620 or visit http://www.northoaks.org.