WHAT WE DO

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Hospice is a service that cares for terminally ill patients and their families during the last few months of the patient’s life. Based on the knowledge that most people, given a choice, prefer to pass with dignity, surrounded by those they love and Memorial Hospice brings comfort to those who choose this.

Hospice staff and volunteers help patients and their family and friends to focus on what is most important to them: allowing people to spend time together, share memories, say good-byes, find peace and care for one another.

Services we are able to provide for hospice care include:

• Skilled nursing visits intermittently in the home as needed to coordinate the patient’s care.
• Social worker assistance to identify and make referrals to community resources.
• Spiritual counseling through the pastoral ministry to assist the family as requested.
• Volunteer supportive services for the patient and family.
• Crisis on-call service to patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Emotional support to grieving family members for one year after the patient’s death.
• Patient/family decision making in the plan of care.
• Inpatient care, prescription drugs, equipment, supplies, respite care, and ancillary personnel.

Any patient, regardless of age, who has received a diagnosis of a terminal illness and a limited life expectancy is eligible for hospice care. Patients and families should understand that hospice care is designed to lessen pain and discomfort, not cure diseases.

Care is provided in the home, although some patients may have short stays in the hospital or nursing home to manage a medical crisis.

In most cases, the patient must have a family member or close friend who will be the primary caregiver. This assures the patient’s comfort and safety while living at home.

Because of the generosity of the community, and with the aid of grants and donations, Memorial Hospice provides care to all who need the service, regardless of ability to pay.

Memorial Hospice brings comfort and compassion to a large number of people because of the generosity of the community. Its major fund raiser during the year is the lighting of the Tree of Life during the Christmas season.

This major fund raiser provides part of the funding for Memorial Hospice. Donations are also accepted all year long in honor of, or as memorials to, loved ones. Each donation is greatly appreciated and will be acknowledged. All gifts to Memorial Hospice are tax deductible.