Today is a sad day for many in the TRU community. Michael McHale, TRU’s President and CEO since July 2017, is stepping down from his position at TRU to pursue the role of President and CEO for St. Paul’s Senior Services in San Diego. Michael began his healthcare administration career at St. Paul’s in 1999, and he sees this as a unique opportunity to return to St. Paul’s mission, bringing his career full circle. Michael stated, “I can honestly say that I would never consider leaving TRU if it wasn’t for the chance of a lifetime.”

In his time at TRU, Michael has been an inspiration and brought about tremendous growth. In partnership with the leadership team, he helped to nearly double the impact of our programs and the size of the staff and annual revenue. Michael played a crucial role in building TRU’s tele-care program, and he added Landmark Memory Care to TRU’s continuum of care. The leadership team, board, staff, volunteers, families, and supporters at TRU have helped to get us to a place where we are caring for nearly 1,000 people at a time in our community. This does not begin to capture our reach, which is expanded exponentially by our grief services. TRU is in a strong financial position, achieving stability and growth year-over-year since Michael’s arrival.

Scott Gresser, Chief Financial Officer for the past ten years, has been named interim President and CEO. Before joining TRU as a staff member, Scott served for five years on the board of directors. His loyalty and devotion to TRU span two decades, and he has been an integral part of our success and transformation. Prior to joining TRU, Scott served in leadership roles for 20 years in the publishing and broadcasting industries. “Scott and I have worked side by side for nearly five years, aligned in mission and vision, and working together with other leaders to develop a strategic plan to guide TRU in the coming years. I know the organization is in great hands,” said Michael.

“It is an honor to continue the important work of leading this organization and serving our community. Over the past several years, we have made tremendous strides to become who we are today, continuing to evolve over the past 46 years in an ever-changing healthcare industry. I am humbled by the opportunity to keep us moving forward, and I am proud every day to come to work at TRU,” said Scott.

There have been occasions throughout my career when I’ve had the opportunity to connect with someone deeply impacted by the organization I serve – occasions that touch my heart, remind me why I’ve chosen this work, and fill me with gratitude. I had one of these occasions a few weeks ago, and my conversation with Judy will stick with me for years to come.

When Judy first learned of her dad’s cancer diagnosis, it was already terminal. He briefly pursued treatment but quickly came to terms with the fact that the end was near – likely only months away.

Read more about one family’s experience with TRU and consider making a year-end donation to ensure that everyone has access to the care received by the Laschingers.

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Dad is the pillar of our family – our strong and unwavering patriarch. His diagnosis was terminal from the start, and his decline was so drastic, so fast. Even though we had resources and knowledge at our fingertips (I’m a nurse, my sister a CNA), we felt totally out of control. We wanted to honor our dad’s wish to be at home, but circumstances were different than we’d imagined, and we realized that we had to be open. You can’t plan for everything. And we needed help.

The day came when Dave (Judy’s father) experienced unmanageable pain, as well as irritation often referred to as terminal agitation. A friend of the family told Judy that she’d always heard wonderful things about TRU Community Care and that TRU has an inpatient hospice care center. She gently suggested that Dave would benefit from that level of care. Judy said of her subsequent conversation with Matthew, our admissions intake supervisor:

Matthew listened and he truly heard me. He knew we had to discuss our options first as a family, and he told me, “I’ll wait for you. We will be here.” He just knew. He anticipated our needs even before I could fully articulate them. Matthew went above and beyond to get Dad into TRU Hospice Care within hours of our first phone call. His compassion for this work was evident, and his efforts will not be forgotten. I hung up feeling like the stars were aligning, and the coordination of care from that point forward was remarkable.

Dave was admitted to a room at the Care Center that night. His pain and irritability were brought under control, and he was able to rest peacefully. The sentiments shared by Dave’s spouse and children speak volumes about his short but powerful stay there:

One of the first things a TRU team member said to me when observing that my sister and I were tending to our Dad was, “It’s time to take a step back from your role as caregivers and just focus on loving your Dad. We’ll take care of the rest.” – Debbie (Dave’s daughter)

The Care Center was filled with spirituality and love. Everyone there was calming and nurturing, and they treated us like their own family. They also had answers, and they let us know what we could expect every step of the way. They turned a terrible situation into a beautiful and loving one. – Chris (Dave’s son)

I had all the confidence that he would be taken care of – beyond what we could do at home – and I was able to allow myself a little rest. The staff took a load off of our shoulders in the most compassionate way possible. – Liz (Dave’s wife)

Judy told me through tears about a few meaningful moments from her family’s time with TRU:

Even though Dad was not alert and hardly made a movement, he seemed to just know when nurse Berta was in the room. She managed a playful and genuine tone with him, and we could feel him relax when she was around. At one point Berta joked with him about his appearance in the 70’s film “Airport,” and Dad broke his long stillness to bring a finger to his lips, as if to say with a coy wink, “Shh, we don’t make a fuss about that.”

We can now look back on an excruciatingly painful time and see it as a beautiful, peaceful, loving experience. When we look back, we can still feel the warmth, love, and protection provided by our team at TRU.

After Dad passed, we gathered as a family to ring the memorial bell – a sacred Care Center ritual. It was only fitting that the staff members joined in our circle with their arms around us, just as it felt to us since the moment we’d arrived. The whole team had such a presence. They made us feel like we were the only people there, even when every room was full. It seemed like Dad was their only patient, and we were their only concern.

Laschinger family with TRU Care Center Staff

I will forever be grateful for Judy sharing so vulnerably with me, and now with you, about the end of her dad’s life. My wish is that everyone I love and everyone you love will receive the compassionate care experienced by Dave and his family when it is needed most. When you support TRU with a contribution, you help to ensure that my wish comes true.

With gratitude and hope,

Jen Thomas
Director of Development and Communications

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Thank you to everyone who participated in our Perfect Peaches fundraiser!

TRU staff and volunteers spent a fun morning greeting customers, loading cars with fresh Palisade peaches, and sharing stories about our connections to TRU Community Care. Thank you to all of our staff and volunteers who helped out! With your help, we were able to put 400 boxes of peaches into peach-hungry hands, and we had a pretty great time doing it!

View our Facebook Photo Album from the day!

A big thanks to all of you who purchased peaches by the box or half box to take home to your families and friends! It was a real pleasure seeing all of you on Saturday, and, by enjoying the peaches we bring in from White Orchard in Palisade, Colorado, you’re helping to support TRU hospice, palliative care, PACE, memory care, and grief services.

And finally, we greatly appreciate the crucial support of our sponsors without whom this event would not be possible. Thank you!

Last fall, as COVID cases began to rise again, TRU’s Amanda Meier and her husband built a hug tent with the help of TRU volunteers to provide residents of senior living facilities a long-awaited chance to embrace their loved ones. TRU’s hug tent is built around an 8 foot by 8 foot pop-up tent with three heavy-duty, clear plastic walls with sets of arm holes cut into the front wall and plastic sleeves for the hug. 

Social isolation is an unfortunate consequence of the pandemic. Senior living facilities must follow strict safety guidance when they set visitation policies. This results in short window or outdoor visits while maintaining a six-foot distance. TRU’s hug tent does not replace regular visits or physical connection, but it does offer a moment of respite in our challenging world. 

There have been two hug tent events so far. The first took place in November at the Hover Green Houses in Longmont, and the second was held this Wednesday at Juniper Village Assisted Living Center in Louisville. There will be another hug tent event at Juniper Village this coming Tuesday, February 9, and Amanda Meier says that TRU will continue to bring this invaluable service to seniors and their families.

“You can see sort of relief in their bodies and their faces when they finally get to have that physical contact, which is really a basic human need. And in these facilities, a lot of times they’re missing it anyway because they’re just not with their families,” Meier said. “I don’t think it’s measurable, really. You just know it when you see it and feel it when you’re there.”

More news about TRU’s recent hug tent events:

‘Hug tent’ provides safe embraces at Colorado elderly home
– Associated Press

We want to continue to share with you the stories behind some of the faces of TRU. This year’s focus is on a few of our staff and volunteers who have gone above and beyond to care for our community during the pandemic. and today we feature a TRU volunteer.

We hope you will consider making a gift in support of our work and the people we serve. Make your donation today in support of the faces of TRU.

In 1995, my husband and I were living in a small town near Durango where I volunteered for a rural hospice. I also worked for them as a grant writer and volunteer coordinator, and while there, I realized I had a hospice mentality. Later, when we settled in Longmont, I took a job at TRU as an executive assistant. I did this for five years before retiring, but I continued to volunteer at TRU and also worked part-time in scheduling and then finance.

Volunteering has allowed me to make a difference each day. I get to stay engaged, connect with others, and meet our patients where they are during crucial times in their lives. Before the pandemic, I volunteered at the TRU Hospice Care Center, where I did comfort touch, aromatherapy, and pet therapy with my dog Molly, helped the nurses, and made care shawls.

When COVID hit, volunteers were no longer allowed at the Care Center. I was able to return there in early Fall, though volunteers were still not permitted to enter patient rooms. I’ve been able to help out at the Care Center front desk, stock cabinets, and order meals for patients. It’s such a stressful time and hard to see patients and families isolated and unable to take advantage of all the services volunteers usually provide due to COVID restrictions.

TRU staff and volunteers positively impact the people in our community daily. Even during a pandemic, TRU continues to help those living with illness and loss. I’m grateful for my health and the opportunity to be a part of this work.

Volunteers are an essential part of TRU Community Care. More than 300 volunteers assist in providing patients and families emotional, spiritual, and practical support. Complementary therapy volunteers perform energy work, aromatherapy, music, visits with certified pets, and more. Highly-trained volunteers facilitate many of our grief support groups and staff the TRU Thrift Shop.

Please consider supporting TRU with a donation today.