Hospice adds new spiritual coordinator
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The Rev. Willis J. McCaw has recently joined the staff of Hospice Southeastern Connecticut in the newly created position of Spiritual Coordinator.
Rev.McCaw, who received aMaster of Divinity Degree from Yale University, addresses the spiritual needs of patients and families under the care of Hospice Southeastern Connecticut, an affiliate of Backus Hospital.
"Having the ability to relate to and have an appreciation for individuals of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and faith traditions is essential for spiritual care in hospice," he said.
In December 2008, Rev.McCaw completed a chaplain residency at Hartford Hospital. He provided care to patients, families and staff facing a spectrum of life transitions. He also serves as Chaplain of the Gospel Church of Trinity College, designing and facilitating creative weekly worship services as well as advising and counseling students.
"I am very excited about the opportunity to contribute to an organization with such strong ties to the community that it serves," he said. "In our multicultural and ever-changing world, I feel it is important to provide interfaith resources to ensure that the spiritual lives of patients and their families do not get lost in the shuffle of end-of-life issues."
November is National Hospice/Palliative Care Month, sponsored by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Hospice programs serve more than 1.2 million patients and their families annually in the United States.
Serving New London County since 1985, Hospice Southeastern Connecticut is a community-based non-profit organization, which provides end-of-life care in the home to patients with a terminal illness.
Care often can be provided in skilled nursing facilities as well. Hospice Southeastern Connecticut services are provided by an entire team, including the patient's physician, the Hospice Medical Director, nurses, hospice aides, social workers, bereavement and spiritual counselors, complementary therapists, and volunteers.
Hospice support groups
Hospice Southeastern Connecticut offers a number of support groups for the community. These include:
- Parents grieving the loss of an adult child.
- Grieving the loss of a spouse/partner.
- Seniors grieving the loss of a loved one.
- Adults grieving the loss of a parent.
- Expressive Arts for adults grieving the loss of a loved one.
- Expressive Arts group for grieving children.
- Coping with grief and the holidays support groups (Starting in November).
For specific dates and times and for more information, go to www.hospicesect.org or call (860) 848-5699.