Charity

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CHARITY

FEATURED CHARITY OF THE MONTH:

HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY

Some four decades ago, a small group of local volunteers envisioned a more compassionate way of caring for people nearing the end of their lives. They were deeply moved by a concept called “hospice” that was prevalent in England and longed to bring it to Arizona. The mission was simple: Help patients spend their last moments in their own beds, surrounded by their loved ones. It’s no coincidence the word hospice is a derivative of “hospitality” — making people feel comfortable in their own homes. HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY'S DR. SHELLY MYERS WITH HER PATIENT GINNY. This core group, which included the Rev. Gerald Roseberry and nurses Mary Audrey Mellow and Blanche Hopkins, began changing how that final myriad of ways. Hospice of the Valley offers free journey would look and feel. In 1977, they formed grief support to anyone mourning a death, including not-for-profit Valley of the Sun Hospice — later kids, through our New Song Center for Grieving changed to Hospice of the Valley — and began Children. carrying out a mission of “comfort and dignity.” They cared for patients’ physical, emotional, social Expectant couples who are told their baby will not and spiritual needs; visiting the terminally ill at survive long after birth are supported at no cost with home to manage their pain and offer peace and a compassionate perinatal program that starts with comfort. They also provided support to family pregnancy, continues after the death of their child members as they struggled to cope with impending and into a subsequent pregnancy. loss. Until Medicare created a hospice benefit in 1982, by pet teams who visit at the bedside to chase away the care given during those initial five years was loneliness. seldom reimbursed. The early “friends of hospice” raised money to cover costs, because the goal was to HOV also assists people confused about the array “ It’s still in our DNA to care for all who come to us, and not worry about whether there’s coverage,” Executive Director Debbie Shumway says. “It’s never been a question of options when it comes time to find supervised living arrangements for parents who can no longer manage on their own. This senior placement service is completely free, unlike other for us. Last year, our charity care totaled about $10.5 placement agencies that always provide the care, regardless of ability to pay. That philosophy still exists today. In 42 years, work on commission. Hospice of the Valley also provides free Living Will and Medical Power of Attorney forms to help you complete your Advance Directives well before there ”million in community services and programs. Hospice of the Valley has never turned anyone away is a medical emergency. Putting your wishes in for lack of insurance or financial means. writing gives everyone peace of mind.

“It’s still in our DNA to care for all who come to us, and not worry about whether there’s coverage,” Executive Director Debbie Shumway says. “It’s never been a question for us. Last year, our charity care totaled about $10.5 million in community services and programs.”

That reinvestment in the community happens in a Patients are soothed with music therapy and cheered What began as an agency devoted to caring for a handful of patients has grown immensely — HOV was privileged to care for more than 18,000 patients and their families last year.

For information on hospice, palliative or dementia care, or to become a volunteer, call (602) 530-6900 or visit hov.org.