Helen Keller once said, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.”

Southern Maine Health Care Auxiliary President Jennifer Page recently called a meeting of the Auxiliary’s Board of Directors to discuss potential programs for funding. It is always a pleasure to get together to discuss the opportunities and challenges we face.

The board includes dedicated individuals who bring a wealth of wisdom to SMHC. The members believe that there is much value in helping people through their journey of life. They take pride in the fact that they are being accepting, kind, just and helpful. With unity and careful planning the Auxiliary makes a big difference in our community.

Sue Hadiaris and Karen Chasse of SMHC discussed several programs for funding at the meeting, including the softly evolving Palliative Care Program, also known as the Comfort Care Program. In many cases, it is not technology or drugs, but humanity, that gives comfort and meaning to day-to-day life.

Palliative Care is listening with the ears of the heart. First and foremost is caring about the patient and being concerned about the residents’ well-being. Palliative care is a specialized approach to medicine for patients with serious illnesses. It focuses on providing patients with relief from their symptoms, such as pain and mental stress. Palliative medicine has been a board certified sub-specialty of internal medicine in the U.S. since 2006.

Because people have a full range of needs, it is important that we see each person as an individual human being with unique needs and desires. SMHC hired a palliative care nurse coordinator to certify nurses and nurse practitioners in promoting awareness through staff education.

There is still a need to establish a “Patient Care Fund.” The following areas have been identified as possible funding options:

”¢ Training to certify more nurses and nurse practitioners in palliative care; there is a textbook titled “Core Curriculum for the Advanced Practice Hospice and Palliative Registered Nurse,” written by the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association.

”¢ Gift cards, gas cards or café certificates for palliative care patients and their families who are in need. (Oncology currently provides gas cards for needy patients.)

Ӣ Funds to assist patients and their families via a legal consultant.

For all of the serious issues we must discuss, we must also find room to have some fun. So let’s stand outside the flow of hurried time, and in our busy lives perhaps we can sandwich in a new, surprising destination for mid-winter.

Fausto and Reubin of Blue Elephant Events and Catering are hosting The Biddeford and Saco Chamber After Hours at the new and exclusive location of Village by the Sea on Thursday, Feb. 5, from 5-7:30 p.m. If you’d like to go, remember to allow travel time to Village By the Sea, at 1373 Post Road in Wells.

Village by the Sea is a beautiful, 11-acre, year-round resort with all the amenities.

— Zaffie Hadiaris of Saco is the host of “Zaffie,” a weekly television talk show on Channel 3 Biddeford public access. It can also be seen at biddefordmaine.org. Contact Hadiaris at zhadiaris@hotmail.com.