For a number of local senior citizens and hospice patients and their families, Thanksgiving was a time of celebration and an opportunity to spend precious moments together, thanks to the helping hand of All Care.
In partnership with the Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development (LHAND) and Greater Lynn Senior Services (GLSS), All Care served the residents of Caggiano Plaza in Lynn a pre-Thanksgiving luncheon of turkey prepared by the plaza’s staff members, and a delicious array of side dishes donated by Brothers Deli. This was the 14th year that All Care teamed up to help coordinate the luncheon. Bob Dean, Vice President of All Care Resources, along with All Care VNA & Hospice staff members, Paul Dulong and Margaret Tierney, volunteered to help serve the meal and visit with the residents.
“The folks here love the dinner, and we enjoy being here with them,” said Dean. “It’s a well-deserved time to socialize and enjoy good food.”
“Our tenants always look forward to this event and thoroughly enjoy the meal,” said Michelle D’Amico, site director at Caggiano Plaza. “We’re extremely grateful to our partners, like All Care, whom we rely on to provide services to our residents and to collaborate on events.”
Additionally for the holiday, All Care Hospice provided full-course Thanksgiving meals to four hospice patients and their families – two from Lynn, one from Medford and one from North Andover. The primary focus of All Care Hospice is to provide care and comfort to patients through a range of palliative and supportive care services. The mission is to enhance quality of life, while optimizing time spent with family and friends.
“For patients in our care, time is precious, and we want to save families the time and effort of preparing a big meal,” said Rachel Russo, clinical director of All Care Hospice. “Holidays are inherently stressful, and caring for a loved one at the end of life can add to the emotional toll. We want to make this one day just a little easier, and give something to enjoy and remember.”
“Thanksgiving is the day to share a sumptuous turkey dinner with our friends and families,” said Dr. Lewis Hays, All Care Hospice Medical Director. “We here at All Care Hospice are thrilled to provide such a meal to our families with loved ones on hospice, to insure that their day is filled with good food, good company, and good memories.”