Ginny Green, Director of Nursing at Quiet Oaks, helped present research studies and results on Healing Touch at the Minnesota Network of Hospice and Palliative Care in April. This conference brings together Hospice and Palliative care providers from Minnesota and 14 other states. As Ginny pointed out, “Minnesota is a front runner in the hospice and palliative care industry. There is legislative support here and a wide variety of hospice facilities in Minnesota. This conference brings together both for-profit and non-profit hospice houses to help provide education and support. Information is shared which can ultimately help residents and families.”
She, along with Debra Day Laxon (Certified Healing Touch Practioner and volunteer at Quiet Oaks) and Bridget Klein (Registered Nurse at the St. Cloud Hospital, within the CentraCare Heart and Vascular Center), spoke about Healing Touch, as a non-pharmacological modality for pain management in hospital and hospice settings. Ginny said, “Healing Touch works to help reduce pain levels, and work in conjunction with pain medicine.” Healing Touch specifically is “a nursing intervention that is a heart-centered energy therapy using gentle touch.”
Healing Touch has been a treatment option for residents at Quiet Oaks for about 4 years, to help pain medicine work more efficiently and reduce anxiety for both residents and family members.
Quiet Oaks offers peace during a difficult time
KARE 11’s beautiful story about Quiet Oaks
Hospice care is often viewed as a last resort for the dying, which many people avoid until the very end, but the journey through hospice is often transformative for both the patient and their family as featured in this beautiful story about Quiet Oaks.
Pat and Family
I just had to take the time to tell you I can’t stop thinking about Quiet Oaks!
I knew you two had devoted a lot of time to the place but you really put your HEART and SOUL into it didn’t you…and it shows!!
In the beginning, I was thinking “well what a great business venture” but now I understand…. it’s PERSONAL.
Danny’s photo and your testimonial on the wall kind of sealed the deal for me. What a fantastic job you did with your dream!
I’ve seen death over the years in the hospital and the nursing home and it was never pretty (nor was it meant to be) but the PEACE the ACCEPTANCE and the TRANQUILITY that you just feel when you experience Quiet Oaks is unbelievable (and we were only there a couple of hours). Thanks for finding (making) dad a “better home” to die in then his apartment!
We were so happy the girls got up to see Grandpa yesterday. Those “Quiet Oak” memories will be the last they have of seeing their Grandpa alive and for that I am truly thankful. And that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it! Where else can a family smell and eat fresh baked cookies, sit in comfortable leather loungers and rock in rocking chairs, watch the wildlife in the beautiful natural woods setting…all easing the pain of having to saying goodbye to someone you love. It was perfect.
Then there is “the patient” himself! When the nurse came in and introduced herself and told dad, ” you are the KING here and we are your servants” and then bowed down to dad….oh my gawd!! It was perfect for a man like Dad. He couldn’t have been any happier!! They were right there too with his morphine and isosorbide when he called so it was reassuring to know his comfort was being taken care of.
Anyway, I could go on and on about the feelings I have after being at Quiet Oaks but I know you two are busy….but I just wanted to let you know HOW WONDERFUL YOU ARE!! and A BIG THANK YOU from this family.
Love You Guys
Pat and family
2/25/10