Agrace News

April 9-11, 2018, Agrace president & CEO Lynne Sexten participated as a delegate on a learning exchange with hospices in the United Kingdom (UK).  She joined a group of 25 nonprofit hospice CEOs from across the US who journeyed to Oxford University in England for a three-day exchange of best practices and ideas with hospice programs from the UK. The exchange was organized by the National Partnership for Hospice Innovation.  Discussions focused on better understanding the current environment for hospice and palliative care in both countries, the nuances of palliative care, and importance of reaching broader populations through integrated care.

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Al Prochnow, a 102-year-old Prairie du Sac resident and veteran, recently had a wish come true when he received a private concert from local country music musician Maggie Mae.  

“Al is such a sweet man, very gentlemanly,” says Laura Burden, Al’s Agrace HospiceCare social worker. “He is blind, but loves music and listens to it constantly on TV music stations. He loves all music, but Maggie Mae is his favorite. She is the only non-family photo hanging in his room!” 

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As Reported by Catherine Idzerda of the Janesville Gazette

Photo credit: Angela Major

When they told Roberta Earle, 71, that a wedding was taking place, she said, in a tremulous and barely audible voice, “Who’s the poor sucker?”

She didn’t mean it. The groom was her son, Kriss Workman, and she had already advised her future daughter-in-law to marry him.

On Saturday, Workman married his longtime girlfriend, Betty Eliason, in a ceremony at The Next Inning, an assisted living facility in Orfordville.

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As Reported by Shelley Mesch of Wisconsin State Journal

Middleton philanthropist Don Anderson, who with his wife, Marilyn, donated $3 million to establish a hospice facility in Fitchburg 20 years ago, died Thursday evening at age 97.

Anderson died at the facility he and his wife made possible — Agrace’s Don & Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center. His wife of 65 years died at the facility on April 18, 2008.

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As reported by 23 WIFR newsroom

Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care is looking for volunteers to work across the stateline.Agrace is a nonprofit community hospice that works with patients and families in northern Illinois.

The agency needs volunteers who are 18 or older to read aloud to patients, play games or help with a hobby, help with light housekeeping, run errands, make a light snack or meal or provide patients with company.

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As Reported by Christina Lorey of Channel 3000

The new tax plan approved by Congress at the end of 2017 nearly doubles the standard deduction for individuals and families. While that simplifies the filing process for millions of Americans, it will likely complicate the process for many who have made a habit of deducting their charitable contributions.

Under the new tax bill, the standard deduction will rise to $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for married couples. That means many taxpayers who used to itemize deductions may find it’s no longer beneficial for them to do so because they won’t add up to as much as the new standard amount. People close to the cut-off may stop giving altogether, warn tax experts, which could hurt Madison donation centers like Agrace Hospice’s thrift stores.

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The Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation has appointed Tracy Buglass of Lyndon Station to lead its newest Baraboo office, located within the Baraboo Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center at 600 Chestnut Street.

Buglass has worked for Agrace since 2013 and will now serve as the main point of contact for the community to request educational presentations related to the issues of serious illness, death, dying and grief. Buglass coordinates with workplaces, civic clubs, faith groups and senior living communities who are interested in learning more about hospice and the ways Agrace can provide care and support through any stage of serious illness. To request a presentation, contact Buglass at (608) 327-7209.

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In April, Agrace will begin “Journey Through Grief,” a six-week grief support group series for adults who are grieving a death. Any adult in the community who is grieving a death can join, even if the person who died did not have hospice care.

The group meets weekly at Tivoli Skilled Nursing Facility, 2805 Hunter Trail, Portage, on Thursdays, April 19 through May 24, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

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In April, Agrace will begin “Journey Through Grief,” a six-week grief support group series for adults who are grieving a death. Any adult in the community who is grieving a death can join, even if the person who died did not have hospice care.

The group meets weekly at Schmitt Woodland Hills Community Room, 1400 W. Seminary Street, Richland Center, on Thursdays, April 26 through May 31, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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