Southwest Valley Citizen Reporter
Hospice bridge to peaceful realm of comfort care
Beverly Medlyn, director of communications for Hospice of the Valley, submitted this article written by Deborah Good.
When life nears its end, most people want to be at home, surrounded by family and friends. But the reality is most of us will die in a hospital.
Hospice care provides the bridge from the high-intensity, fix-it focus of the hospital to the peaceful realm of comfort care.
Hospice of the Valley serves people where they live - more than 90 percent in their own homes, and the rest in assisted living, nursing homes and inpatient hospice homes.
If patients need intensive round-the-clock nursing care, they can stay at one of Hospice of the Valley's 15 inpatient palliative care units, which have a home-like environment.
Southwest Valley residents are served by the Palm Valley PCU, 13575 W. McDowell Road, Goodyear.
All hospice patients are served by a team of professionals - a doctor, nurse, social worker, nurse's aide and chaplain, if requested. The team supports the patient and family caregiver. Volunteers visit patients weekly, giving family caregivers a break.
Hospice of the Valley is one of the nation's largest and oldest not-for-profit hospices, founded in 1977. The agency serves nearly 3,000 patients a day throughout Maricopa County.
A holistic approach addresses emotional and spiritual needs as well as medical issues. Massage, music and pet therapy are available, as well as special programs for specific diseases and conditions, such as dementia and lung disease.
Hospice services are covered by Medicare and insurance plans. For those without insurance, Hospice of the Valley provides care regardless of ability to pay. It is one of two not-for-profits in Maricopa County out of more than 30 hospices.
Deborah Good is a community liaison for Hospice of the Valley, working with physicians' offices in the West Valley, including the Southwest Valley communities of Buckeye and Estrella. To reach her, call 602-530-6900 or e-mail dgood@hov.org. Also visit www.hospiceofthevalley.org.
