Community Hospice team, the family
does not have to face this time on
their own. An interdisciplinary team
of caregivers work with the patient
and family to offer as much support
as needed for whatever physical,
emotional, social, and/or spiritual
needs the patient and family may
encounter.
“Services provided by Community
Hospice are available to anyone who
has a progressive terminal or advanced
illness and is facing the final six months
of life,” said Jason. “But some patients
live a lot longer than six months and
remain under hospice services, if
eligible.”
Home care is overseen by the
patient’s own attending physician
and the hospice medical director and
includes visits with Registered Nurses
to “provide symptom control, pain
management, and provide education on
disease progression.” Nursing services
are available 24 hours a day and serve
as a liaison between doctor and patient.
Certified Nursing Assistants are also
available to assist with activities of
daily living that include bathing, eating,
shaving, and mouth & nail care as
well as assisting caregivers with light
housekeeping.”
Community Hospice also provides
visits with social workers to assist
with counseling, financial resources,
and future planning. These educated
professionals are available 24 hours
per day to provide assistance with the
psychosocial, financial, and emotional
needs of patients and families and
provide links to community resources
and grief counseling services.
Chaplains are available 24 hours
a day to assist patients with spiritual
counseling no matter the denomination
or affiliation. Community volunteers
are also a vital part of Community
Hospice. “We have amazing volunteers
who run errands, read books, build
ramps and spend time with our
patients,” said Jason.
Respite Care is another invaluable
service provided for families when the
primary caregivers need to be outof
town, have a medical procedure,
or simply take a much needed break.
Community Hospice can keep the
patient at the Hospice House for five
consecutive nights for each respite care
stay.
S.O.A.P.S. (Sweet Onion Animal
Protection Society), a non-profit
organization in Vidalia, has created a
collaboration with Community Hospice
“to ensure that all pets owned by
hospice patients and families, continue
to receive the attention and dedication
they deserve. The SOAPS collaborative
provides medical assistance, food
assistance, and the assistance of pet
adoption.”
Community Hospice is not only
there for end-of-life care, but also for
the days that follow. GriefShare, which
is sponsored, in part, by Community
Hospice, is the “Grief Recovery and
Bereavement Support Group.” The
13-week course began meeting in
2012. The program is held several
times throughout the year and offers a
“unique, three-part approach to coping
with loss and grief.”
Community Hospice serves a
fourteen-county area. “We’ve never
billed anyone,” said Jason. “We are
a 501c3 and accept any patient that
meets hospice qualification guidelines
regardless of their ability to pay. We
don’t turn anyone away. Hospice care
is covered by Medicaid and Medicare
and some insurance policies, but we’ve
been fortunate. The community is
our greatest supporter. We receive
donations through community events,
fundraisers, sponsorships, support
from community businesses, and as
memorial gifts in lieu of flowers.”
Community Hospice does what
they can to help with any “last wishes”
of a patient. “We love helping families
make these wishes come true,” said
Jason. “For one gentleman, that meant
34 TOOMBS COUNTY MAGAZINE
Jason has always had a desire to see Toombs
County thrive. Under his watch, Community Hospice
has contributed to the community's success through
support and participation.