A.R.N. Hospice Added to Hooverwood Living Continuum of Care – Jewish Post & Opinion Article by Michelle Bridges Senior Options

by | Nov 22, 2021 | News

A.R.N. Hospice Added to Hooverwood Living Continuum of Care

An Interview with Evan Lubline, Chief Executive Officer of Hooverwood Living by Michelle Bridges of Senior Options, L.L.C., in Virginia Beach, Va.

 

Michelle: What does bringing on hospice into your service offerings mean to you and your organization?

Evan: Hooverwood Living has strategi- cally brought hospice to our service offerings. We have partnered with Aaron Rubin Nelson (A.R.N.) [funeral serices] to develop the first Jewish hospice in the Indianapolis area to offer critical end-of-life care to both Jewish and non-Jewish individuals. The A.R.N. Hospice is an exceptional offering as we have seen a need for addi- tional hospice offerings in our area.

We are so excited to have collaborated with a national brand like Senior Options. Senior Options is a network of home health and hospice agencies. Senior Options, L.L.C., provides everything from guidance to licensure, electronic medical record system, clinical expertise, marketing, and billing. This partnership allows the team to continue to focus on the services we already supply.

We have strong connections to the Jewish Community Center (JCC) and the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis (JFGI) here at Hooverwood. We think that adding hospice to our continuum of care brings our community together for the individual at the most critical time of their life – the end of life. Hospice allows us to ensure that their values continue, and we support them during this crucial period for both the individual and their loved ones.

We want to educate people that we are much more than just a hospice organiza- tion. A.R.N Hospice has a palliative approach to the end-of-life journey and can be a relaxed and reflective time for all parties involved. We collaborate with the individual, their family, and our compre- hensive hospice team to achieve the best outcomes.

Michelle: How does this fit in with your mission? Evan: We have developed a continuum of care. Hooverwood currently offers a Skilled Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Adult  Day  Care,  transportation,  and community services.  We know hospice will be a tremendous help for both our residents and those individuals in the greater Indianapolis community. This is a precious time where loved ones can be at the bedside and prepare themselves through our hospice team. It is the full continuum to take care of someone at the

(see A.R.N. Hospice, page IN 9)

 

A.R.N. HOSPICE

(continued from page IN 8)

 

most vulnerable time of his or her life. Hospice also supports the family after death with support programs, social work guidance, and grief counseling.

Most importantly is our ability to offer a full range of options for individuals. Hospice allows us to bring the end of life care to everyone regardless of where they live or what faith they practice.

One of the most significant areas that make

A.R.N. Hospice unique is the education that we will provide to the Indianapolis community.This education will be delivered to the community well before hospice is even needed. Hospice, at times, is some- times looked at as a negative component, but with our education, we are looking at the positive aspects of what hospice can provide months and weeks prior to death. There are so many positives to signing up with hospice to receive the full benefit for the individual and their loved ones. This gives A.R.N. Hospice a whole different look and feel to the service and lets people experience the full hospice benefit at such a precious time in life.

A.R.N. Hospice is a smaller agency, and it gives us the nimbleness to do what is best for the individual hospice recipient

L-R: ARN Mortuary President Jennifer Nelson Williams with her mother Donna Nelson and brother Miles Nelson.

 

and their family. We have hired a fantastic team to lead this part of the organization. Michelle: When it comes to hospice, what advice do you have for individuals considering hospice? Evan: First, hospice is not about giving up. It is about giving the gift of physical, emotional, and spiritual support that ensures the quality of life until the end. Also, remember hospice is not only for people who have a few days to live. In fact, after experiencing hospice’s quality and comfort care, many families wish they had started hospice sooner. You are eligible for hospice if you expect to pass in the next six months. Hospice care is more beneficial

when patients receive medical, emotional, and spiritual support for at least a month. Remember  that  hospice  care  can  be provided anywhere the patient calls home. Hospice does not accelerate the dying pro- cess. Hospice tries to maximize the quality of life before the patient passes. Studies sug- gest that hospice patients live longer than patients seeking aggressive treatment for their primary illness. By choosing hospice over aggressive life-saving treatments, the body focuses on comfort. Hospice does this by providing medical, emotional, and

spiritual care and support. ✡

 

L-R: Hooverwood Living CEO Evan Lubline and ARN Hospice staff Director of Volunteers Shelley Kahn, VP of Hospice Operations Shannon Durham, Director of Social Services Patricia Parham, and Director of Hospice Kristin Allison.

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As our Director of Health Information Technology, Devyn provides management and support for all health information systems use and performance for the Senior Options national network. Additionally is responsible for the technical, clinical and financial operational procedures of the electronic health record and all ancillary information systems.

Devyn has over 10 years of health information technology and project management experience inclusive of managing and supporting electronic health record systems including implementation planning and maintenance of both physician practice and senior living systems. Devyn has a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration MSHA from Southern New Hampshire University and Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration from Auburn University. Devyn is a Certified HIPAA Professional (CHP).
Devyn developed a passion for Senior Care while volunteering at a local hospice, skilled nursing facility and Area Agency on Aging during her undergraduate years. She enjoys traveling and outdoor activities and Calligraphy.

Joan is the President of Senior Options, a Home Health and Hospice advisory group, and Westminster-Canterbury at Home, a home health and hospice agency in Virginia Beach. She previously served as Vice President of Operations & Clinical Services for Senior Options. Joan has over 30 years of experience in Home and Community-Based Services (HBCS), Hospitals, and Life Plan Communities.

Joan’s compassion, energy, and focus have been evident throughout her career. She has expertise in implementing new Home Health and Hospice operations as well as supporting existing agencies in operational and financial improvement. In addition, she is an expert in operational audits, consulting, and leadership for Home Health and Hospice. Also, Joan is mission-focused on leadership and creating healthy organizations that bring out the best in people.

Joan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from The University of Cincinnati and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development and Positive Change Management from the Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University. Joan is Certified in Appreciative Inquiry.

Karen started her medical career in 1984 as a registered nurse working in the intensive care unit and medical surgical. In 1999 she began working in home health, hospice and long term care earning various certificates as a Certified Nurse Executive, CNE; a Certified Wound Care Nurse, CWCN; a Certified Oasis Coder, COS-C; and in 2006 became a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, LNHA. Before joining Senior Options in 2022, Karen also served as a Nursing Home Administrator for CCRC a skilled nursing facility, a Director of Operations for Home Health and Hospice, a Senior Executive Director for Long-term Care, a Preceptor for the Virginia Board of LTC Administrators and as a Nursing Instructor.

Karen has a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Excelsior College in Albany NY and a Legal Nurse Consultant Certificate from Kaplan University.

As our Senior Director of Finance and Operations, Melinda is responsible for the finance, accounting, and billing team at Senior Options. And, she works with our current and prospective partners on budgeting, strategic initiatives, reimbursement, cost reports, and pro forma development.

Melinda brings over 25 years of financial management experience in the senior care environment. She has led the overall operations for six healthcare living centers, and two assisted living communities. She also has experience collaborating with multiple healthcare and state associations. Melinda currently serves as the Vice-Chair for the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants Board of Directors and is a member of the America Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Melinda enjoys reading, traveling, walking, attending plays, and concerts.

Michelle’s experience in health care leadership spans for over 13 years. Before joining Senior Options, she served as the Administrator for Columbus Colony (the only deaf Nursing Facility in the country) where she was responsible for quality assurance and regulatory affairs, memory care, activities, policies and procedures, and resident care. Before that, Michelle served as the Vice President of Business Development for Senior Independence, now Ohio Living Home Health and Hospice, where she was responsible for growing home health and hospice by over 200% in seven owned and four partner home and community services agencies. Michelle also has 20 years of leadership experience in many Fortune 500 companies, including Gap Inc., IBM, and GTE, where she served in senior leadership positions in Sales, Marketing, and Client Services.

Michelle has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Grand Valley State University, a Certificate of Economics from the University of Krakow in Poland, and a Master of Business Administration from Franklin University. Michelle is a CHAP, Certified Consultant.