COLUMBUS -- A social worker who assisted in creating a local advanced care directive and a volunteer who has given of her time to help those facing end of life issues have been honored for their contributions.
Lisa Weber-Kohler and Lucy Wacha, both of Columbus, were recognized by the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Partnership at its annual banquet on April 2.
Weber-Kohler received the 2008 Shining Star Award for her work with Hospice of Columbus Community Hospital. Nominated by Laurie Swanson, director of Home Health and Hospice of CCH, Swanson said the award “is for individuals who have a visionary approach to the end of life concept.”
Weber-Kohler, who has been with the CCH program for 11 years, worked with Dr. Milton Zadina in creating POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment).
POLST is documentation that makes a person’s health care wishes known in emergency situations. It is for people with chronic medical or terminal conditions. Weber-Kohler said it is similar to living wills except POLST is built into the medical system. It is a universal form used by the hospital, nursing homes and rescue units.
Weber-Kohler said working with the hospice program has been her life calling.
“I was always interested in end-of-life care. All individuals need the same support and help and compassion at their end of life as at the beginning of life, even more so. When a baby is born, the community and all your family and friends rally around you. Society gives somebody in mourning three days. Death is so taboo in our culture, and people don’t want to talk about it because it is related to sadness. They don’t rally around you as much,” she said.
Her job with the hospice program is two-fold. She said she helps patients make the best of each day and also prepares them and their families for the dying process.
“It’s all about helping the patient and the family,” she said.
Wacha was recognized as an “Outstanding Nebraska Hospice Volunteer.” Swanson also nominated Wacha and said Wacha is a great volunteer.
“Lucy, when you call her, she goes. She is not afraid of any situation,” Swanson said.
Wacha has been volunteering with the hospice program at CCH for eight years. Volunteering for it was a decision she made after her husband was on hospice care before dying of cancer in 1999.
Through the program, Wacha’s primary role is to be a friend to the patient and provide a bit of relief for the care givers.
“We are a visitor. Hospice volunteers come to give the care givers a break. If the care giver needs a perm, or a haircut or just needs a break, we will sit with the patient then,” Wacha said.
They can also be a support system for the care givers, most of whom are spouses and children, Wacha said. Because she went through the loss of her own husband, the 68-year-old said she is able to sympathize and relate to the people she is helping.
“It’s gratifying for the simple fact that God put us here to help people. If any time is difficult, it is when there are serious illnesses in the family and someone needs to support them,” she said.
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