The notion of hospice as a place of rest and comfort goes back to the Middle Ages when the term described a temporary resting place for weary pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land. The modern day hospice movement started with the founding of St. Christopher's Hospice in London, England in 1967 Currently in the United States, there are well over 3000 hospices serving people in private homes and skilled nursing facilities. As healthcare becomes more economically directed, people are seeking a humane approach to end-of-life care that is focused on client preferences and needs. Today, hospice care is universally recognized as the specialized kind of care that offers people what they are seeking when they have a life-threatening diagnosis.
HOW DOES HOSPICE CARE DIFFER FROM OTHER FORMS OF HEALTH CARE
Hospice care places special emphasis on a patient's dignity and right to personal choice. By honoring the spiritual and emotional aspects of care, as well as the physical, hospice treats the "whole person." Hospice care neither hastens nor postpones death; it affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. Hospice care focuses on quality of life and makes comfort a priority. Because of hospice's expertise in the area of pain and symptom control, patients can have the opportunity to live as fully and comfortably as possible. Hospice care makes it feasible for people to remain in the sanctuary of their homes, in familiar surroundings, with friends and family participating in their care.
WHAT IS UNUSUAL ABOUT HEART OF THE REDWOODS COMMUNITY HOSPICE?
Since its founding in 1993, HRCH has emphasized three unique aspects of service:
(1) There is no time limit governing when HRCH services can begin. HRCH provides early services in addition to traditional end-of-life hospice care.
(2) HRCH is able to serve patients who wish to pursue curative treatments as well as patients who wish only palliative or comfort care.
(3) There is no charge for services
HRCH believes that a person deserves access to specialized support and comprehensive care from the moment a life-threatening condition is diagnosed. At such a time, an intense wave of fear, grief, and confusion often hits the entire family. HRCH is available to help patients and their families sort through the bewildering maze of information, decisions, and emotions they suddenly must face. Rather than waiting until the last phases of illness, people are encouraged to call HRCH with their earliest questions and concerns. Early contact allows for a relationship of trust to develop over time and for increased levels of service to be provided as needs arise. Amidst the turbulent and limited state of today's healthcare system, HRCH endeavors to provide a compassionate alternative for patients and their loved ones. Our decision to operate as an independent, nonprofit, volunteer hospice reflects our desire to have the patient's needs and wishes come first, uncompromised by regulations.
WHO DOES HEART OF THE REDWOOD5 COMMUNITY SERVE?
(1) Patients seeking resources and support early in their diagnosis
(2) Patients choosing aggressive/curative medical treatment
(3) Patients opting solely for comfort care
(4) Patients wishing to reserve their prerogative to change their course of treatment
(5) Anyone at any stage in their grief or bereavement experience
WHAT DIRECT ASSISTANCE DOES HEART OF THE REDWOODS COMMUNITY PROVIDE FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY?
Case Management:
Informs the patient and family about practical, medical, psychological, spiritual, financial, and legal services available in the community
Helps the patient and family obtain and review relevant information about both conventional and alternative treatments in order to make treatment decisions
Works in close cooperation with other local agencies to help facilitate all aspects of patient and family care
Provides patient advocacy, helping assure that the patient's and family's rights, as well as their needs, are met
Talks with the patient and/or family about concerns that arise
Direct Patient Care & Support
Education
Offers a patient-care training class for those interested in caring for hospice patients, family members, or friends. The class is also available to those interested in exploring the subjects of death, dying, and grief
Offers a peer support class for training previously bereaved community members to companion others through their grief process
Maintains a community lending library of various materials on death, dying, and grief, as well as disease treatments, nutrition, and self improvement
Provides children's support groups in schools, offering both emotional support and education on death and dying issues
Writes a weekly newspaper column and hosts a monthly radio call-in talk show exploring a variety of hospice-related topics
Bereavement Support Services
Helps with funeral and clerical arrangements
Continues one-on-one visits with loved ones up to a year after the death to provide grief support
Offers on-going support groups
Provides a library of printed, audio, and video materials on grief and loss
Provides grief crisis support to schools, local businesses, and the community in general
Provides trained peer support volunteers to any community member experiencing a death loss
Special Needs Support
Offers a support group for caregivers Provides a cancer support group
HOW IS HEART OF THE REDWOODS COMMUNITY HOSPICE FUNDED?
HRCH is funded primarily by the proceeds from fundraising events and the contributions and Planned Giving support of the growing community of friends who believe in our work. HRCH also receives some funding from foundations. Being non-licensed, HRCH cannot accept Medicare, HMO, or private insurance reimbursement for services.
HOW CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THE ONGOING WORK OF HEART OF THE REDWOODS COMMUNITY HOSPICE?
Although HRCH offers services free of charge, that does not mean HRCH operates without incurring expenses. On-going operational costs include salaries for patient care and support staff, patient supplies, and utilities. HRCH is able to raise approximately 40% of its annual budget through fundraising events and the sale of raffle tickets. The remainder of the yearly budget must be secured through the generosity of community members who value compassionate work.
People are invited to consider the following:
Respond to the Annual Appeal or make an on going pledge in support of operational expense:
Make donations and gifts.
Send in memorial contributions
Underwrite a specific monthly operation expense
Adopt the expense of a program, staff member, or special project in memory of a loved one
Donate to the HRCH Endowment Fund
Remember HRCH in your will
Participate in some form of planned giving
HRCH invites you to contact Friends of Hospice at 707-923-7276 for details about any of these programs and other ways you may participate in the financial stewardship of Heart of the Redwoods Community Hospice.