Bonnie Schreck, a dedicated wife, mother and community volunteer, passed away in February 1999 and in loving memory, her husband established a fund to keep her memory alive.
The Bonnie Schreck Memorial Complementary Therapies Program, was created in 1999 in response to the high levels of emotional stress and anxiety patients associated with end-of-life issues. Patients and their loved ones request various therapies and techniques, such as healing touch, reflexology, aromatherapy, and pet therapy to help ease emotional discomfort by providing a calming and soothing environment.
The name Complementary Therapies came from the physicians and nurses believing that the services were a perfect complement to traditional medical treatments. Once physicians and nurses relieved the patient’s physical pain, more focus could be placed on resolving the overwhelming emotional feelings of sadness, fear and anxiety. Recent studies have documented that Complementary Therapies reduce stress and anxiety, decrease depression, and increase oxygen absorption, helping patients feel more comfortable and relaxed; all the more reason to make use of this wonderful program offered at Nathan Adelson Hospice.
Complementary Therapies offered at Nathan Adelson Hospice include:
Aromatherapy – Essential oils are distilled from selected plant materials and they influence the body in many ways. This therapy is used to benefit the patient and family physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Pet Therapy – These gentle visitors bring great joy to our patients. Spending time with a friendly dog can lift depression, lower blood pressure and respiratory rates and bring comfort. NAH has certified therapy dogs that bring comfort not only to our patients, but to the families and staff.
Reflexology – Improving circulation. There are over 7,000 nerve endings in the feet. Reflexology uses a series of specific techniques to work on the reflexes to the nerves that travel throughout the body, improving circulation to organs and glands, often relieving discomfort of acute symptoms.
Massage Therapy – Massage is a therapeutic art that relieves stress, headaches, backaches, fatigue and restlessness. At NAH, we apply specific techniques sensitive to the medical needs of our patients.
Reiki - Reiki is an energy practice based on the principle that the practioner cahnnels the universal life energy into the recipient to promote a state of deep relaxation.
Art Therapy- Art Therapy is used to help address unresolved emotional issues. The patient does not need to have any artistic ability at all in order to participate.
