FY23 Peace Harbor Hospice & Palliative Care Impact Report

Thank You for Supporting Hospice & Palliative Care

Thanks to generous donors like you, PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center Foundation has distributed $236,706 in the past two years to support a full spectrum of care for seriously, chronically, and terminally ill patients in our community. Philanthropic support of our Hospice and Palliative Care programs enables patients to find relief from the symptoms and stress of serious illness, improving the quality of life for both the patient and their circle of loved ones.

Our multi-disciplinary Palliative Care team helps with symptom management, provides emotional support, and facilitates conversations around future healthcare needs. Most often, palliative care is delivered alongside curative treatment. As curative options are exhausted, patients receive earlier hospice referrals so they can fully benefit from the services that our Peace Harbor Hospice care team offers.

Palliative Care has already made a tremendous difference in our community and we are preparing for future growth. Our 65-and-over population is growing, which means that more neighbors and loved ones are at risk for serious and complex illnesses. PeaceHealth is investing significant time and resources to ensure that our Palliative Care programs in Lane County and beyond can continue to grow and improve as we provide compassionate care to those in need.

Thank you for believing in our vision of empowering seriously and terminally ill patients to live as well as possible, for as long as possible. We are so grateful!

How Palliative Care is Making a Difference

At age 83, Helen had just undergone a very large, complicated surgery to address a long-term, chronic health condition. Our palliative care nurse met with Helen and her daughter to explain the path to recovery and the level of participation that full rehabilitation would require. She was able to help them refine their heathcare goals and articulate what quality of life meant to them. When Helen took a turn for the worse a few months later, she and her daughter agreed that another major surgery was not the best option. Instead, Helen chose comfort care and is now living her final days to the fullest with the help of our in-home hospice team.

Research tells us that chronic diseases account for nearly 75% of aggregate healthcare spending in the USA. To ensure that patients understand their options for medical interventions, our Palliative Care team facilitates conversations around future healthcare needs and wishes. Their expert symptom management relieves pain and discomfort, helping to reduce emergency room visits and repeat hospitalizations.

Palliative Care is so helpful to patients that 93% of people who have received it are likely to recommend it to others. Your support is truly making a difference in our community. Thank you!

Recent Fund Distributions

made possible by your gifts

 $224,723 for Palliative Care Program Support

 $4,840 for Palliative Care After Hours Staffing

 $4,722 for Pet Care Peace of Mind Program

 $2,421 for Hospice Education and Misc. Support

Because of You

PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center Foundation launched a campaign to fund the Peace Harbor Palliative Care program in 2017. The fledgling program started with one physician, a social worker, and a nurse. Today there are over 200 patients in the program, served by 13 staff and a small but mighty volunteer team.

Your gifts enable our hospice and palliative care teams to bring comfort, control, dignity and peace to patients and families when they need it the most. Assistance from a skilled team can reduce symptom distress by up to 66%, leading to much improved quality of life. The education and practical assistance our teams provide help patients and their loved ones to feel less fearful and more in control to shape the life that is most meaningful to them.

200 current palliative care patients

200 hospice patients and families served in 2022

66% reduction in symptom distress among palliative care recipients

$236,706 distributed to support Hospice and Palliative Care in FY21 & FY22

The Power of Your Giving

You Bring Peace and Comfort to Hospice Families

PeaceHealth Peace Harbor cared for 200 patients and their families in 2022. This included 6 patients served at the hospital. Hospice families receive significant benefits from having our skilled, multi-disciplinary care team available to help them through the patient’s final journey.

Philanthropic support covers the following costs:

 Patient needs including firewood, clothing, food and transportation

 Staff acquisition, education, and recognition

 Volunteer program support including training, recognition, supplies and materials

 Bereavement support including events, books and materials for grieving loved ones

materials for our poignant “pinning ceremonies”to honor the service of veterans receiving hospice care

 Pet Peace of Mind program to care for pets whose owners have passed away

 Integrative Therapies like massage, acupuncture, and art therapy to help ease pain, troubling symptoms and anxiety

With your support, our team offers a warm presence, compassionate medical care, and spiritual support to terminally ill patients and their families who live in and around Florence, regardless of their ability to pay. This is a precious gift to our Oregon Coast community.