Grants provide special equipment for Hospice Residence

Provided photo – Thanks for the Lift! Hospice nurses Shari Ettinger, left, and Mary Hicks, right, show their new Hoyer Lift to Orleans County Foundation representatives (middle, from left) Hank Lehning, Jerome Pawlak and Andrew Meier.

Press release
Hospice of Orleans

ALBION Patients at the Martin-Linsin Residence at Hospice of Orleans are more comfortable and secure, thanks to the generosity of two local foundations.

The first, a family foundation requesting to remain anonymous, contributed $5,500 that paid for a special transfer chair to ease patients’ transition from wheelchair to therapy tub. Nurse Manager Mary Hicks said this encourages greater usage of the hospice home’s spa amenities.

The Elizabeth Dye Curtis Foundation, working through the Orleans County Foundation, granted Hospice $6,000, which covered the cost of additional equipment, including a Hoyer Lift to safely move patients in or out of their beds or chairs.

“The Hoyer Lift and tub transfer chair not only improve the comfort and safety of the residents, but also of the nursing staff,” said Mary Anne Fischer, Hospice of Orleans’ executive director. “These grants are very helpful in helping us manage the costs associated with the Residence. In addition to our home care services, we are all working as a team to care for our neighbors facing serious illnesses.”

Members of the Curtis Foundation Board of Directors recently came for a tour of the Martin-Linsin Residence, where they saw the equipment and met some of patients and staff for whom it is making a difference.

Hospice of Orleans observed the first anniversary of the Martin-Linsin Residence in December 2013. In October of this year, the organization will mark 20 years as a hospice home care provider.