About Hospice Programs – Hospice of the Valley

Article submitted by Hospice of the Valley.
For more information, they can be reached at 602-530-6900.

Hospice programs have been at the forefront of efforts in America since the 1970's to involve and include families in providing quality end-of-life care. Each year, approximately 700,000 terminally ill patients and their families rely on the invaluable end-of-life care provided by the 3,100 hospice programs located in the United States. Hospice care allows a terminally ill individual to receive professional medical services, pain management therapy, and emotional and spiritual support, without having to enter a hospital. This focus on the patient's quality of life during his or her last months can make the best of the most challenging of situations.

Hospices create a compassionate atmosphere in which patients are able to die with dignity, preferably in their home environment, surrounded and supported by loved ones, familiar friends, and committed caregivers. Professional and compassionate hospice staff, including physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, clergy and volunteers, provide comprehensive care and attend to the particular needs and wishes of each patient. Family members and friends also receive counseling and bereavement care that help them cope with the impending loss of their loved one.

During the past 26 years, Hospice of the Valley has worked to position itself as one of the most highly respected hospices in the country and is devoted to providing quality, compassionate care to meet the special needs of adults, children and their families facing terminal illness. Providing the highest level of quality, compassionate care to those facing a terminal illness has been Hospice of the Valley's foundation since 1977. The team focuses on comfort, dignity and pain control, helping the patients and their families live each day to the fullest.

Through a care giving team working together of physicians, nurses, social workers, home health aids, pastoral counselors and volunteers, hospices provide services to terminally ill patients and their families in the comfort of their own homes or in an in-patient setting. When deciding on hospice care, it is important to know that there is a choice.

Based on patient/family needs, Hospice of the Valley provides many additional services not provided by others. Included is an Outreach program, day and night respite, a children's program and massage, music and art therapies to meet the special needs of patients and families. Hospice of the Valley also offers the most extensive bereavement program in the valley. Services are available for 13 months after the death of a loved one and include routine phone calls, adult and children's programs and various support groups throughout the valley.

While more than 90% of Hospice of the Valley's patients are served in their own homes, our Palliative Care Units or In Patient Units are for patients whose needs, or the needs of their family, can be better met in an inpatient setting. Hospice of the Valley's Palliative Care Units are located throughout the valley in a community near you.

We are committed to providing the highest quality care at the end-of-life. For more information about hospice care, please call Hospice of the Valley at (602) 530-6900.