Print Article 5/1/2010
Mention the word ‘rainbow’ and Dr. Frank Stevens, 91, would smile broadly. He met Lorraine, his wife of 65 years, on a day when the brilliance of a rainbow captivated their attention. A tender kiss ensued.
The Stevens’ three daughters, Joyce Irvin, Janis Stevens and Amy Snook, recall many more tender moments shared over the years in the family’s stately Bellefonte home on Curtin Street, where they also whispered final goodbyes as their beloved parents died earlier this month within 27-hours of one another – the culmination of an endearing love affair. “Surrounded by the ones they loved, their passing was very peaceful,” said Joyce, the eldest.
A Bellefonte native and World War II Veteran who served on the medical unit of USS Samaro, Frank was a third-generation dentist, practicing at one time with both his father and grandfather in the historic downtown. He’s fondly remembered for his professionalism, gentle dentistry and an unwavering promotion of healthy habits, especially at Halloween. Just ask the mass of trick-or-treaters who trekked up the couple’s front porch steps to receive Halloween toothbrushes!
Also an articulate man, Frank’s daughters admired his public speaking ability and his role as a lay speaker at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Bellefonte.
Since his retirement in 1987, Frank’s days were filled with purpose as were Lorraine’s as she crocheted hundreds of keepsake items, including her trademark ‘round dish scrubs’ for family, friends and neighbors. Lorraine, also 91, served as Frank’s office assistant and as a chief operator for Bell Telephone, but she’s hailed by her kin as a dedicated wife and mother. With five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, the Stevens’ were surrounded by love and vitality, and exemplified the famous axiom, “Live. Laugh. Love.”
Remaining in the comforts of their home were Frank and Lorraine’s wishes even as they needed daily assistance and ongoing medical care to manage their symptoms from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and congestive heart failure (CHF). After all, for 91 years Frank called Curtin Street ‘home’. His family’s homestead is just a stone’s throw from the couple’s residence. Lorraine, who was born just 27 days apart from Frank – and who died 27-hours before Frank, was rather industrious, preferring to keep her independence and home routine for as long as possible.
Bringing Out the Best
Both were enrolled in Home Nursing Agency’s Hospice Program, and also received services through the agency’s home health program since 2008. Less than a week before his death, Frank conveyed his appreciation for how the agency’s hospice nurses and aides helped to keep him and Lorraine comfortable and where they desired to be most – at home together. “We are so glad to be home,” said Frank, as he finished his nutrition drink and adjusted his oxygen tube in a makeshift first-floor bedroom, once the family’s dining room.
“Although I have breathing problems, my hospice nurse makes sure I have what I need to breathe easier and has kept me very comfortable here,” Frank added. His daughter, Jan chimed in, “the agency’s staff have brought out the best in my father and mother, and have worked collaboratively with us. They’ve been very good listeners and attentive to all our needs.”
Jan said her parents’ physicians were also pleased with the levels of comfort care provided by the agency’s hospice team, which included a registered nurse, hospice home health aide, a social worker and specially-trained hospice volunteer.
The hospice philosophy, embraced to the fullest by the agency’s staff, emphasizes comfort and addresses the physical, emotional, spiritual needs of the patient and family.
“From weight loss over recent months, Frank had developed a pressure ulcer around his tailbone. We arranged for a consult from our wound specialist and improved his comfort by getting gel cushions, a chair lift, and a pressure air mattress so he could sit, sleep and move more comfortably,” said Pam Hart, the agency’s hospice nurse, who had developed a great rapport with the family since her first visit on New Year’s eve.
“We also helped Lorraine keep comfortable too. By closely monitoring her symptoms related to CHF and COPD, we prevented emergency room visits and re-hospitalizations. Along with comfort, this is our number one priority for all of our home health and hospice patients,” added Pam.
The couple also endured a lot of changes to their residence, thanks to the handiwork of family members and most recently from the agency’s hospice aide, Jessica Yoder, who assisted family with some rearranging. “These modifications, along the with agency’s home health and hospice care, made all the difference and promoted comfort and safety,” said Jan, the couple’s middle daughter. Amy, the youngest, agreed. “My parents have shared a lot of laughs with the agency’s staff and the services have been wonderful,” she added.
An Act of Love
Hospice volunteer, Karen ‘KC’ Sheeler of State College, visited the Stevens’ several times and was awe-struck by the love they shared for one another. “Even tethered to their oxygen, they were so astute and loved talking about their family, and showing me the family’s projects and photos. Lorraine would often tell me, ‘it is wonderful we are here [at home] and will die here together’,” said Karen.
Karen said the strength of the family was so apparent. “The daughters, and their husbands, had such resolve to provide the resources needed to grant their parents’ wishes to remain at home. It was a trying situation, but a peaceful setting. It was truly ‘an act of love’,” said Karen, who’s been a hospice volunteer for 15 years.
Helping the Caregivers; Savings to the Healthcare System
Jan and her siblings, who are part of a group oft-termed ‘The Sandwich Generation’, understood the complexities of caring for parents, children and grandchildren while maintaining careers, but were unified in granting their parents’ wishes.
“We now know that part of the high costs associated with healthcare is a result of people not being fully aware of all the options when parents or loved ones decline due to age or illness. My sisters and I work in health-related fields and did not fully realize the extensive support and care available through home health or hospice care,” she explained.
In a year when lawmakers are looking for answers when it comes to health care reform, hospice is part of the solution. In 1900, deaths of persons 65 and older were only 18 percent of all deaths; today, they are 75 percent. Furthermore, costs of persons during their last two years of life account for 40 percent of all Medicare expenditures.
Independent studies from entities such the American Enterprise Institute and Duke University have documented the disproportionate healthcare expenditures incurred in the final months of life, costs that can be reduced through expanded use of the hospice model of care—which, based on current independent research saved Medicare an estimated $2.2 billion in 2007.
As the first Medicare-certified hospice in Pennsylvania, Home Nursing Agency was at the forefront as the nation's hospice movement was gaining momentum in the early 1970's. Hospice and palliative care providers like Home Nursing Agency are unified by a common mission to provide the highest quality end-of-life care to support patients and families like the Stevens’ who were faced with serious and life-limiting illnesses.
As part of Medicare’s Hospice Benefit, the agency’s hospice staff will provide bereavement support to the Stevens’ daughters over the next 13 months and help them through the grief that accompanies the loss of not only their parents – but also of two individuals joined at a rainbow’s horizon.
