Niagara Hospice receives grant from Odd Fellow & Rebekah Benefit Fund

Monies from Lockport foundation will expand dementia care education

Niagara Hospice has received a $30,000 grant from the Odd Fellow & Rebekah Benefit Fund in Lockport to advance its dementia care expertise for patients, families and caregivers across Niagara County. The grant will enable hospice staff to achieve dementia care practitioner certifications and pursue continuing educational opportunities to enhance the clinical knowledge of managing care for this growing population.

Funding will also be allocated to develop a resource library that will guide families and caregivers through the long-term challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia conditions. The training and education will help alleviate caregiver stress and fatigue through the latest multi-sensory therapies and best practices for engaging and calming patients during daily living activities and key times when agitation is greatest.

“We were very impressed with the initiative that Niagara Hospice demonstrated in its desire to continue expanding the staff’s dementia care expertise and practical caregiver knowledge,” said Eugene Urban, executive director of the Odd Fellow & Rebekah Benefit Fund.

The primary focus of the philanthropic foundation is to support organizations that provide health care to the elderly, infirmed, disabled, chronically ill and the disadvantaged with special health needs.

Niagara Hospice has seen a significant increase in dementia-related diagnoses in the past two years, and nearly 30% of its patients have some form of dementia. Research shows the number of people with dementia is expected to increase nationwide in the coming years. In Niagara County, it is estimated 4,000 people have a dementia-related condition.

“Our clinical staff is committed to meet the rising demands that accompany the care plans for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia,” said Danielle Burngasser, R.N., BSN, vice president of hospice clinical operations. “It gives us great pride to share the Odd Fellow & Rebekah Benefit Fund’s devotion to serving Niagara County families who are struggling with dementia care. We are very thankful for the foundation’s grant to expedite the progress of our clinical education program. This new funding is a tremendous investment that accelerates our ability to provide more nurses, social workers and aides with the latest training in the most effective dementia caregiving methods.”

For more information about the Odd Fellow & Rebekah Benefit Fund, visit OddFellowRebekahBenefitFund.org.

The 12th annual Niagara Hospice Spring Bouquet Sale is March 2-8 at many locations in Niagara County. Pre-sales are also available until Feb. 26. For more information, visit NiagaraHospice.org/SpecialEvents or call 716-439-4417.

Since 1988, Niagara Hospice, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has provided end-of-life comfort, care and support to more than 25,000 Niagara County individuals and families faced with terminal illnesses. Patients receive care in the location and manner that offers the most comfort, and it is appropriate for any advanced stage illness where the prognosis is six months or less. For more information, visit NiagaraHospice.org or call 716-439-4417.