Our Services
Hospice
Hospice offers comprehensive end-of-life support to terminally ill patients and their families. In addition to providing pain and symptom management for the patient, Hospice provides comfort and reassurance to families during this uncertain life transition.
Most important, Hospice provides comfort care and brings quality of life during these final days and weeks, by supporting the patient and their family through this difficult time. This includes having trained volunteers able to assist families before the death of their loved one and during a one-year bereavement period.
This special care for families and friends continues long after the passing of a loved one through special services that in many ways say, “You are not alone."
Consider Hospice care when:
- There is a diagnosis of an illness which will result in a limited life expectancy (usually six months or less).
- Curative measures are not being sought, although a patient or their family may change their mind at any time to pursue active treatment.
- There is concern about managing care in the future, and the family wants to explore long-term options.
- There is a need for comfort care, pain and symptom management.
A Hospice diagnosis may include:
- AIDS.
- Alzheimer's disease.
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
- Cancer.
- Cardiac disease.
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
- Diabetes.
- Dementia.
- Lupis.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Muscular dystrophy.
- Parkinson's disease.
- Renal disease.
- Stroke.
Medical coverage:
- Medicare.
- Medicaid.
- Private insurance.
- Private pay.
Hospice Services are available:
- In a home environment.
- In nursing homes, adult family homes, retirement homes.
- At Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and other selected area hospitals.
Hospice Services include:
- Pain and symptom management by skilled nurses.
- Counseling, including spiritual, nutritional and bereavement.
- Education on the disease process, coping skills and care planning.
- Assistance with personal care by hospice aide.
- Trained volunteer support.
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy as needed.
- Availability of staff on call 24 hours a day for emergencies.
- Availability of durable medical equipment, oxygen, medical supplies and related medications.
Hospice volunteer opportunities
Volunteering in hospice care can be very rewarding. Many families later refer to the hospice volunteers who helped them as “angels.” Those interested in volunteering or assisting with our hospice program are encouraged to visit our volunteer page for an application to join our team.
Make a donation to Hospice Services
Many of the services provided by Hospice would not be possible in the same way or to as many families without the generous financial support of local families and businesses. To support this most worthwhile of programs please visit The Memorial Foundation to make a donation.
