News from Hope Healthcare

Hope Healthcare Chief of Medical Services Dr. Luis Cortes and Associate Medical Director Dr. Sheeja Kanacheril have been accepted to The Florida House Call Project, a Home Centered Care Institute program designed to expand the national footprint of home-based primary care to high need areas. As Home Centered Care Champions, Cortes and Kanacheril will help grow the workforce of trained and qualified house call providers serving Florida’s aging, medically complex patients and develop a foundation for statewide research in Florida and for future national research aimed at strengthening the field and practice of home-centered care.

In honor of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, Evelyn & Arthur at The Promenade at Bonita Bay is continuing their tradition of offering shoppers a special discount on an in-store purchase from Monday, November 2 through Monday, November 30 if they bring in a gently used item of women’s or men’s clothing, an accessory, or a pair of shoes for donation. Shoppers will receive a 20% coupon for any one regular price item of $75 or more. One discount coupon is offered per donation, not item. Evelyn & Arthur, who has partnered with Hope for National Hospice and Palliative Care Month since 2008, collects the donated apparel for Hope Chest in Bonita Springs.

The Knights of Columbus from St. John XXIII parish will be holding a charity golf tournament on October 30, 2020 at the Forest Country Club located at 6100 Club Boulevard SW, Fort Myers, FL 33908. 

The tournament benefits Hope Hospice, Special Equestrians, and St. Martin De Porres Outreach. 

• Admission: $125 per player
• Sponsorships: Available for $100

 For information and tickets, visit www.kc23.org or call 407-796-1645.

Peggy Evans tries virtual reality at Hope Hospice

With the introduction of a new virtual reality activity, Hope Hospice is helping to alleviate feelings of isolation for those in their care and encourage a sense of connection with others through a shared experience.

Hope's counselors can customize the VR activities as users exercise their minds and check items off their bucket list. Specially-designed VR headsets allow access to simulated activities like skydiving, swimming with dolphins, or exploring must-see spots in different countries. Virtually visiting a specific place - like a childhood home or a favorite vacation destination – promotes reminiscence therapy, which is especially helpful for those with Alzheimer's disease or related memory disorders. Family and friends are able to connect with their loved one by sharing a VR experience together. Themed experiences based on holidays and seasons are available, along with interactive VR games and activities designed to help reduce stress and increase movement. 

"Improving quality of life is the cornerstone of Hope's mission,” said Samira K. Beckwith, President and CEO of Hope Healthcare. “Offering a virtual reality activity helps us give those in our care an opportunity to feel the excitement of travel and the sense of well-being that comes from connecting with others - without fear of coronavirus."