For individuals whose circumstances don’t meet the requirements for hospice care, Hope Hospice’s palliative care program offers vital support by relieving symptoms and improving quality of life.

“Our palliative team visits patients in their homes. They provide symptom management, disease process education, advance care planning, caregiver training, connecting patients with community resources available and improving our patient’s quality of life,” said Andrea Sheridan, RN, BSN, CHPN Director of Palliative Care.

What is palliative care

Hope Hospice’s palliative care program is designed for individuals experiencing a life-limiting illness who are still pursuing curative or aggressive treatments. Unlike hospice care, palliative care works alongside a patient’s existing care providers, allowing them to continue visits with primary care physicians and specialists. Patients can continue to receive aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation while on palliative care services.

Each patient is paired with a nurse practitioner who visits them at home to manage symptoms, provide education about their condition, and to perform caregiver training. The program also includes psychosocial support. A social worker is available for emotional support, identifying community resources available, and assists with advanced care planning such as advanced directives. Chaplains provide spiritual support as needed. The palliative team will collaborate with the patient's other physicians to ensure seamless, coordinated care.

Sheridan said individuals often put off seeking hospice or palliative care, due to the misconception that it means giving up. However, receiving palliative care early can actually improve quality of life for those experiencing a life limiting illness.

“We're big on being proactive rather than reactive,” she said. “We strive to provide education and prepare patients and families so that they are informed and have the support they need while receiving treatment for their illness.”

Quality medical care for everyone

Hope Hospice clinicians meet patients wherever they are—whether that’s providing palliative care in a private home or assisted living facility, and/or hospice care which extends to nursing homes and hospitals. Through partnerships with our local hospitals, the hospice team can begin care during a hospital stay, when needed for acute symptom management and continue supporting patients as they transition to other care settings in the community.

Hospice care can provide skilled nursing, social workers, chaplains, and certified nursing assistants. Medications and durable medical equipment is provided with hospice services.

The nonprofit is able to provide these essential services regardless of the ability to pay or the patient's insurance status. This is a result of the community support received.

Meeting community needs

Hope Hospice was founded in 1984 by a group of community members and today offers hospice and palliative care for individuals living with a chronic illness as well as grief support groups, grief counseling and end-of-life care for veterans.

What makes the organization unique is its commitment to providing quality medical care to everyone in the community, regardless of their financial status.

“In the past few years, Hope Hospice has provided over $1.2 million annually in otherwise unfunded services directly to the community through end-of-life care and grief support,” Director of Development Heather Harrison said.

Since 2017, usage of the community assistance program has increased by more than 350%, reflecting a shift in who needs hospice care. In 2024, the organization served 122 of community members who are not yet eligible for the hospice benefits at age 65 provided by Medicare.

“I know that most people don’t want to think about this, but we aren’t always in control of our end-of-life timeline,” Harrison said. “Every year, we have several hospice patients in their 20s and 30s and more in their 40s and 50s, with the average age of community assistance program participants currently at 57, which is well below the age for Medicare eligibility.”

Join Hope Hospice’s mission

Hope Hospice continues to meet growing needs thanks to donations, fundraising events and the Hope Hospice Thrift Shop.

“We have been so blessed to be able to meet the community's needs every year,” Harrison said.

To support Hope Hospice’s mission through donations, volunteering, or to learn more about palliative care services, visit www.hopehospice.net.

The above story was produced by Multi-platform Journalist Mary Katherine Shapiro with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.