Lights of Life 2018

December 21, 2018 by TRU Community Care

The warm glow of candlelight welcomed more than 100 individuals gathered for this meaningful service to reflect on memories of loved ones who have passed. Pictures and mementos of loved ones were lovingly displayed on our memory table. Guests shared stories remembered and offered readings in honor of their loved ones.

The Luminary Ceremony brought significant meaning as the lighting of an individual candle was invited to represent a reminder of the darkness of grief and the depth of love shared was represented by the lighting of the candle – illuminating the precious memories of laughter, tears, caring and the unending gifts received.

The remembrance was blessed with music by harp and song as well as poems that centered on remembering our loved ones this very special time of year.

TRU Community Care and Columbine Unity were honored to host this lovely annual remembrance and grateful to Greenwood & Myers Mortuary for sponsoring the event. To view more pictures from this special evening, please check out the Facebook album.

Volunteer Highlight: Julie B

December 19, 2018 by TRU Community Care

Julie has been volunteering with TRU for four years and is very committed to her volunteer work and our mission.

Julie first got involved with TRU after losing a close friend, at a young age, to cancer. Her friend did not get hospice care and Julie realized what an amazing gift hospice could have been to her friend and their family. After losing her friend she vowed to do something for others in her friend’s honor, and that’s how she found TRU.

Julie currently volunteers at our Care Center weekly. When talking about her volunteer work there she said,

“I absolutely love it. The staff, patients, and families are amazing, and it is such a gift to be there. Each week is a different experience, and I feel honored to be with the patients and families during this intimate time.”

TRU is lucky to have so many amazing volunteers at all of our locations, but we are always looking for more. We asked Julie what she would tell someone interested in volunteering with TRU and she said,

“Be prepared to have your life changed and your heart moved!”

Not only has Julie been a regular and dedicated volunteer but Julie recently set up a birthday fundraiser that was wonderfully successful in both raising funds and awareness for TRU. Julie explained,

“I am blessed with extremely generous friends and family members. In years past, I have suggested we all serve food for my birthday and spend time serving others, rather than giving gifts. This year, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude in all that I have and wanted to focus more on giving it to an organization that could impact more lives than I am able to. TRU was the natural and obvious choice because I see first-hand how TRU makes a difference in so many. Honestly, it was a simple gesture, and I was pleased that people donated, but also that it raised more awareness for the organization.”

Like Julie has shown, there are many creative ways you can help support TRU with everything from dedicated volunteer work to social media promotion and fundraisers. If you’re interested in helping TRU raise necessary fund for the end of the year please contact our Development Department at scarlettreynaud@trucare.org.

What We Can Do to Die Well

October 13, 2017 by TRU Community Care

We enjoyed having Dr. Timothy G. Ihrig as the keynote speaker at our event Transcending the Norm—New Thoughts on Caring for Our Community. We invite you to view his TED Talk, What We Can Do to Die Well.

Parking Lot Book Sale

October 13, 2017 by TRU Community Care

Join TRU Hospice Thrift Shop for a gigantic used book sale in the parking lot of the store.

Saturday, October 21
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
5565 Arapahoe Ave. in Boulder

TRU Community Care Awarded $250,000 Grant from Weinberg Foundation

September 29, 2017 by TRU Community Care

For Immediate Release – September 29, 2017

(Lafayette, CO) — TRU Community Care is the recipient of a $250,000 grant for its capital campaign. Awarded by The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation of Baltimore, Maryland, the grant brings the total giving to almost $5 million, just shy of TRU’s $6 million goal. With this grant, the Weinberg Foundation will name the rehabilitation gym in the TRU PACE Center, where participants receive physical, occupational, speech and other necessary therapies.The capital campaign began in 2015 to raise funds for the new TRU PACE and Grief Services building located in Lafayette. PACE stands for Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly.

TRU Grief Services supports hospice families and the community at large with individual grief counseling and support groups. About 2,500 individuals each year benefit from services. Thirty percent have been served by TRU Hospice, and 70% are community members who have suffered some type of loss.

TRU PACE is now enrolling eligible seniors who live in Boulder and southwest Weld Counties. This innovative program, which began on March 1, serves residents by providing preventive, primary, acute and long-term care services that enable these elderly individuals to continue living safely in the community.

The Weinberg Foundation is committed to helping low-income older adults age in their communities with independence, dignity, and maximum quality of life,” said Aaron Merki, Weinberg Foundation Program Director, Older Adults. “PACE programs, including TRU PACE, play a vital role in fulfilling that commitment by providing and coordinating a variety of supports and services.

TRU PACE is available to people 55 years or older who are certified by the State of Colorado to need nursing-home-level care. The program supports clients to live as independently as possible and helps participants and their families navigate the complicated issues associated with aging. Individuals in Boulder County or southwest Weld County, who are currently living safely in the community, are encouraged to call and inquire about enrolling in TRU PACE.

TRU PACE’s goal is to help seniors in our community age in place,” says Executive Director Bob Thorn. “With the aging population in our community projected to grow 69% during the next 25 years, TRU Community Care is seizing the opportunity to continue its leadership by adding a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) to our cadre of services.

As a program that serves seniors from all walks of life, TRU PACE is a Medicare/Medicaid covered program for participants. Clients in the TRU PACE program must receive all their health care, primary care and specialty physician services (other than emergency services) from TRU PACE providers. TRU PACE is part of the National PACE Organization (www.npaonline.org).

To learn more or to enroll in the TRU PACE program, individuals should call 303.665.0115, email pace@trucare.org or visit pace.trucare.org.

About TRU Community Care

TRU Community Care provides end-of-life hospice and palliative care as well as grief services to those residing in Boulder, Broomfield, Adams, Jefferson, and southwest Weld counties. TRU now offers TRU PACE, a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. TRU Hospice of Northern Colorado serves Greeley and extends to Weld and Larimer counties. Additional services include grief support groups, which are available to anyone in the community free of charge. It is a privilege for us to help those who are grieving regain their balance and resume healthy living. Grief groups include adult, teen, and child as well as equine therapy. At TRU Community Care, we add life to days, because that’s what TRUly matters. The sooner you call, the more we can help – 303.442.0961 or visit trucare.org.

Contact:
Annette Mainland, Vice President of Philanthropy
TRU Community Care
303.604.5261
annettemainland@trucare.org

TRU Interim CEO Featured in Kaiser Health News

September 11, 2017 by TRU Community Care

TRU Community Care Interim CEO Pat Mehnert recently was interviewed by Kaiser Health News for their Navigating Aging column. Read the article here.

TRU Community Care Brings Renowned TED Talk and Expert Dr. Timothy Ihrig to Boulder

September 6, 2017 by TRU Community Care

For Immediate Release – August 24, 2017

Featured speaker Dr. Timothy G. Ihrig

(Lafayette, CO) – TRU Community Care, founded as Boulder County Hospice in 1976, is proud to present Transcending the Norm—New Thoughts on Caring for Our Community, a symposium October 10-11 featuring keynote speaker Dr. Timothy G. Ihrig. Ihrig’s TED Talk, What We Can Do to Die Well, has been viewed more than one million times.

At this two-day event, attendees will hear from experts in palliative and hospice medicine about the future of health care and what we can do to provide the best outcomes for patients, particularly the elderly. Topics may include: paving the way for palliative partner relationships; practical approaches for moving care upstream; PACE and population health—keys to reaching underserved seniors; and palliative care’s place in advocating for our elders.

When asked about end of life, Dr. Ihrig said,

“Palliative medicine is the answer to engage with human beings, to change the journey that we will all face, and change it for the better.

Join TRU Community Care and Academy Senior Living for this timely and important educational opportunity. Community members, health care providers, partners of hospice, PACE and palliative care and those curious about how to live their best in the last years of life are welcome to attend.

For more information and to purchase tickets to the October 11 day of learning, please visit bit.ly/trusymposium.

About TRU Community Care

TRU Community Care provides end-of-life hospice and palliative care as well as grief services to those residing in Boulder, Broomfield, Adams, Jefferson, and southwest Weld counties. TRU now offers TRU PACE, a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. TRU Hospice of Northern Colorado serves Greeley and extends to Weld and Larimer counties. Additional services include grief support groups, which are available to anyone in the community free of charge. It is a privilege for us to help those who are grieving regain their balance and resume healthy living. Grief groups include adult, teen, and child as well as equine therapy. At TRU Community Care, we add life to days, because that’s what TRUly matters. The sooner you call, the more we can help – 303.442.0961 or visit trucare.org.

TRU Community Care Names New CEO

August 8, 2017 by TRU Community Care

For Immediate Release – August 8, 2017

(Lafayette, CO) – TRU Community Care, founded as Boulder Hospice in 1976, has named a new President and Chief Executive Officer. Michael McHale from Arlington Heights, Illinois, most recently President and CEO of Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care, will begin his leadership of TRU Community Care, TRU Hospice of Northern Colorado, and TRU PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) on September 11, 2017.

Michael McHale TRU Community Care's <br>New CEO

Michael McHale
TRU Community Care’s New CEO

McHale has dedicated his professional career to health care with more than 17 years of management, marketing and customer service experience within the hospice and long-term care industry. He has held various leadership positions with hospices in California, Michigan and Maryland prior to joining Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care in Chicago. Michael holds a Masters of Health Care Administration from National University in San Diego. As a board member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in Washington, DC, he is committed to improving quality of care, regulatory oversight and patient and family satisfaction in hospice, palliative medicine and PACE.

This new chief steps in at a critical time in the organization’s history. With over 40 years’ experience in the delivery of end-of-life care, TRU is continuing to grow its programs, having launched TRU PACE in March 2017.

TRU has an outstanding reputation of being a leader in caring for those living with advanced illness. It is an honor for me to join this organization to continue to build on this reputation and find new ways to care for our community.

About TRU Community Care

TRU Community Care provides end-of-life hospice and palliative care as well as grief services to those residing in Boulder, Broomfield, Adams, Jefferson, and southwest Weld counties. TRU now offers TRU PACE, a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. TRU Hospice of Northern Colorado serves Greeley and extends to Weld and Larimer counties. Additional services include grief support groups, which are available to anyone in the community free of charge. It is a privilege for us to help those who are grieving regain their balance and resume healthy living. Grief groups include adult, teen, and child as well as equine therapy. At TRU Community Care, we add life to days, because that’s what TRUly matters. The sooner you call, the more we can help – 303.442.0961 or visit trucare.org.

Contact:
Annette Mainland, Vice President of Philanthropy
TRU Community Care
303.604.5261
annettemainland@trucare.org

TRU PACE Social Worker Honors Boulder Senior Reach Program

July 6, 2017 by TRU Community Care

In honor of Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, TRU PACE social worker Leslee Hecht recognized Boulder Senior Reach employees Jenifer Fischer and Janaki LeFils for their valuable contributions and concern for the well-being of elders in our community.

Boulder Senior Reach social workers Janaki LeFils and Jenifer Fischer receive their awards from TRU PACE social worker Leslee Hecht on
Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 15.

Here is Leslee’s story.

I nominated the Boulder Senior Reach Program because I learned about this tiny gem when I worked alongside their dynamic staff for a year at Mental Health Partners. I met with them again when I moved to TRU PACE and invited them to tour our center for a new resource for their clients, and more recently, when they referred a prospective participant to TRU PACE.

Senior Reach is a home-based support service that reaches out to our county’s most vulnerable elderly residents, including those in isolated mountain communities and those in rural areas, downtown Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and other urban areas.

Often, these folks have the added challenges of behavioral health concerns as well as fixed income and lack of resources. Senior Reach offers home visits to provide brief counseling, support services and referral to resources to assist seniors to remain in the community and improve their lives and psychological functioning.

At a training last year I learned about their role in helping to expose a financial exploitation scheme targeting vulnerable adults and their work with the District Attorney to prosecute the perpetrators who preyed on these trusting elders.

In my work at PACE, they referred a struggling couple who were isolated with only meager in-home support to combat their medical challenges and increasing depression.

Senior Reach meets these clients where they are, accepting their choices about how they want to live but offering many resources and supports they may be unaware of to improve their lives and help them function in the challenging world they face now.

Many of these folks have no family, or no one close by, and have outlived their friends and loved ones, which make them vulnerable to those who could take advantage of their situation. The Senior Reach staff are often called angels, and I would agree their work is heroic and often stems the tide of abuse and neglect in the home.

TRU Celebrates National Nursing Assistants Week June 15-22

June 15, 2017 by TRU Community Care

Who are Career Nursing Assistants?

Nursing assistants (also known as CNAs) are key players in the lives of the people in their care. Each day, more than 4.5 million caregivers provide hands-on care to our nation’s frail, elderly, or chronically challenged citizens in nursing homes and other long-term-care settings. These important workers have various titles including: Nursing Assistant, Direct Care Worker, Nurse Aide, Care Assistant, Caregiver, Hospice Aide, In-Home Care Aide, ED Assistant, Resident Assistant, Hospice Assistant, Patient Care Assistant, Personal Care Assistant, Geriatric Aide, Restorative Aide, Health Care Assistant, and many more. Source: cnanetwork.org

Thank you to our TRU Community Care and TRU PACE CNAs! We couldn’t do it without you. Head over to our facebook page to meet some of our amazing CNAs throughout the week.

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Saturday, October 21 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 5565 Arapahoe Ave. in Boulder

Who are Career Nursing Assistants?

About TRU

Saturday, October 21
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
5565 Arapahoe Ave. in Boulder