 Many believe that hospice is where you turn when there is “nothing else to be done” for a terminally ill patient; in reality, hospice is the “something more” that can be done for the patient and the family. Grand County Hospice, started in 1998, provides comfort-oriented care and quality end-of-life to patients where end-of-life is expected within approximately six months. In addition to patient comfort, the goals of Grand County Hospice are to allow an individual to preserve their dignity, maintain their right of self-determination and allow the individual to remain in their home through the remainder of their life.
Dealing with a terminal illness and facing end-of-life challenges can be a very confusing time for the patient and their family and friends. Many patients and families wait until the very end to seek hospice services. This can lead to pain and unnecessary stress for the patients and family. Connecting with the services provided by Grand County Hospice early into a terminal diagnosis can help avoid crisis for both the patient and family. Grand County Hospice consists of a team of specially trained individuals who work together to provide medical care and services, as well as helpful medical equipment, which promotes optimum quality of life and a sense of contentment for the patient and their families. The team of nurses, social workers, home health aides, chaplains, and bereavement counselors visit the patient as often as needed, and are available 24 hours a day/7 days a week for support and care.
 Volunteers are the heart of Grand County Hospice. For many people, end-of-life can be an isolating experience, and Grand County Hospice volunteers address this by bringing the community to the person’s home. They provide home visits to comfort the patients and the family. There are over seventy volunteers that make Grand County Hospice possible, and a medical background is not necessary. Volunteers at Grand County Hospice find it personally gratifying, intellectually stimulating, and emotionally meaningful to assist those in need at a critical point in their lives. If you are interested in getting involved with Grand County Hospice, the next volunteer training will be in May. Contact Grand County Hospice at 435-719-3772 for more information and be sure to mention you read about it in Moab Happenings.
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