Hospice of the Western Reserve

Pura Vida Serves Hospice Patients and Families a Meal to Remember

ncarlone — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:17:50 +0000

Cleveland, OH — February 1, 2012 — Pura Vida translates to “pure life,” and that is exactly what Chef Brandt Evans and his talented culinary staff will be bringing to hospice patients, their families and caregivers as they prepare and serve a fabulous gourmet dinner on Monday, Feb. 6. The meal is a part of Hospice of the Western Reserve’s A Meal to Remember program, which brings top gourmet chefs to David Simpson Hospice House each month.

“Although Hospice of the Western Reserve cares for people when they have a terminal illness, our mission is about helping them live life to the fullest, and allowing patients and their loved ones experience moments that can be remembered forever,” explained Bill Finn, Chief Executive Officer, Hospice of the Western Reserve. We’re so appreciative of Pura Vida’s generous commitment of time and talent to create this meaningful fine dining experience. Since our patients can no longer dine out, this meal brings one of Cleveland’s finest restaurants to them. For many families and their loved ones receiving care, it will be the first time they have enjoyed a meal together for months.”

What’s on the menu? Patients and their families will dine on several of Pura Vida’s signature dishes, starting with greens of young lettuce tossed with spiced nuts, local goat cheese and apple chips dressed with apple cider vinaigrette. The entrée — coriander-crusted salmon with an Asian ginger glaze – will be served with rosemary and garlic-roasted fingerling potatoes, herbed spaghetti squash and bread and butter. Assorted cheesecakes will be offered for dessert.

In addition to the gourmet meal prepared by Chef Evans and his team, a photographer will be on hand to shoot and distribute family portraits. This meal supports Hospice of the Western Reserve’s mission of fostering quality time for patients and families, and making David Simpson Hospice House a “home away from home.”

About Hospice of the Western Reserve

Hospice of the Western Reserve is a community-based, non-profit agency providing comfort and emotional support to patients and their families. The agency cares for people in a variety of settings including the home, hospital, long-term care facility and at David Simpson Hospice House overlooking Lake Erie. Opening soon will be the Ames Family Hospice House in Westlake. For more information, visit hospicewr.org or call 800.707.8922.

About Pura Vida

Pura Vida translates to PURE LIFE…live for today! Located at 170 Euclid Ave. on Cleveland’s Public Square, the restaurant is all about celebrating today and cherishing family and friends while experiencing wholesome cuisine, craft cocktails and exceptional service in the one-of-a-kind atmosphere Cleveland has to offer. Owned by award-winning Chef Brandt Evans, Pura Vida is a long-time vision coming to reality and celebrating the revitalization of downtown.

Intellectual Disabilities and Grief

dscowan — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:19:19 +0000

On the evening news recently, there was a feature story about a five-year-old boy with Down’s syndrome. He is a clothing model for Nordstrom’s and other high-end fashion stores. In addition to being completely adorable, his parents commented on how completely “normal” he is. Children and adults with intellectual disabilities are indeed normal and share all the feelings, wishes, and desires as do people without disabilities. This includes grief and loss. Click here to read more.

To read more about hospice, grief and this population, here is a link to a recent article Finding Their Voice: Helping the Person with Intellectual Disabilities Grieve that I co-authored with Rex Allen, MA, Grief Support Services Manager, Providence Hospice of Seattle in National Hospice and Palliative Care’s NewsLine Magazine (December 2011).