Hospice is a word that through the centuries has meant a resting-place for travelers. In modern times the word hospice is used to describe a special concept of care for people who are facing a life-limiting illness.

Today, hospice programs across the United States provide care for individuals who choose to remain at home during these illnesses. Hospice accepts death as a natural part of the life cycle and services and programs include physical, emotional and spiritual comfort for both patients and loved ones

Skagit Hospice Services, LLC is a community-based, non-profit organization that has provided hospice services to individuals and their families in our community since 1984. The hospice program provides comprehensive family oriented care through a special team of nurses, social workers, hospice care aides, clergy and specially trained volunteers. The hospice staff works closely with physicians to help control symptoms, relieve pain, and assist patients and their families achieve the goals that they find most important. Services are provided in the home, as well as in assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and adult family homes.

Skagit Hospice Goals

·To promote the quality of life of persons with life-limiting illnesses and their families and friends. The person with the illness defines quality of life.

·To assist persons with life-limiting illnesses and those supporting them as they cope with grief, dying and bereavement.

·To provide comprehensive hospice services aimed at comfort during the final phase of illness.

·To provide uninterrupted and undiminished hospice care to all regardless of the individual's ability to pay.

The Hospice Team
At hospice, the staff works together as an interdisciplinary team with the physician to manage and control patient symptoms for care and comfort. Various team members visit the patient's home regularly to provide care and information. The following is a brief description of the roles of the hospice team members.

Nurses
The hospice nurses have extensive experience in caring for patients with life-limiting illnesses. They coordinate the hospice care team, have special training in the areas of pain control and symptom management and are able to assist the patient and the family in coping with serious illness.

Social Workers
Hospice social workers focus on the non-medical needs that patients and their families face in the midst of life-limiting illness. They are skilled in individual and family counseling as well as helping patients and families access necessary community services.

Chaplains
The hospice team believes that what is happening in your mind and spirit is as important as what is happening with your body. The chaplain can visit on a one-time basis or as mutually agreed.

Care Aides
Hospice Care Aides are skilled at providing personal care. Aides visit 2-5 times a week, depending on the situation. Some of the services they provide include: changing the bed sheets, shampooing, grooming and shaving, trimming fingernails and toenails, skin care, assist with toileting, or assisting with a bath or shower.

Volunteers
Trained hospice volunteers are an essential and important part of the care team. Their personal contributions and caring can be a great help to the entire family. Volunteers can visit up to 4 hours per week. Following are some of the tasks volunteers can perform: respite care, meal preparation, light household and yard chores or errands, some types of personal care tasks, reading, writing letters, playing music and games such as cards, and emotional support and companionship.

Other Support
The hospice team continually evaluates the physical condition and individual/family needs to determine what other support services would be helpful to achieve the goals of care. These services may include physical, occupational and speech therapists as well as dietitian support. For more information about Skagit Hospice services call (360) 814-5550. The Skagit Hospice Foundation is proud to support programs and services provided by Skagit Hospice services.