Our stories about meaningful experiences are written as they unfold. Therefore, most stories are in the present tense. Some of the patients in these stories are no longer with us. They, and their families, gave us permission to share their experience with you. For those who have since passed, we share these in their memories with deep appreciation for what they have taught us about life and living.
Anthony is a young man under our care. His home-hospice team worked to manage pain and symptoms and to support him and his family. As they got to know him, they were reminded that, even in the midst of crisis, children want to feel “normal.”
All he wanted, he told his family, was a Super Mario game. It was October, and our team immediately set out to make sure he got the game he wanted. We asked the local Walmart to partner with us. They did, donating the game along with dozens of Mario-branded toys, clothes, and bedding.
With a cartload of wonderful gifts, we had an idea: would Anthony’s family be interested in making this an early Christmas? Yes, they told us. Anthony still believed wholeheartedly in Santa, and he loved Christmas.
A local Santa agreed to help. On Halloween day, he and Anthony’s Hospice Care Plus team drove to Anthony’s home in a car filled with Christmas gifts wrapped by our volunteers. One team member remembers that, when Anthony first spotted Santa, he could think of nothing to say about this unexpected, magical moment except, “Santa. I love you.” For the next hour or so, Anthony and his parents—we made sure they had gifts, too—shared a small family celebration of Christmas on Halloween afternoon.
Magical moments like these are possible because our community of donors, businesses, and volunteers understands that, in hospice and palliative care, every moment matters. We believe that making these moments possible is every bit as essential to quality of life as the medical management of pain and symptoms.
How can you honor life during National Hospice & Palliative Care Month? Visit the #WeHonorLife campaign page to learn about all the ways you can help, from volunteering and shopping to helping us increase access to specialized care for the seriously ill and their families. Questions? Contact us at hospice@hospicecp.org or 859-986-1500 or visit our website.
Hospice Care Plus provides exceptional, compassionate care for individuals with serious and advanced illness; while honoring dignity, ensuring comfort, and celebrating life.
Compassion. Hope. Dignity. Integrity. Accountability. Our mission reflects the values we hold dear, and our commitment to these values shows in the care we provide.
These values have led us to promise to honor your journey with dignity, compassion, and respect.
Our Service Area:
Our hospice home program serves you, wherever you call home, in the Kentucky counties of Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle.
Our inpatient care facility, the Compassionate Care Center, and administrative offices are located in Richmond, Kentucky.
Recent News:
Kathy Bryant Retires After 21 Years of Compassionate Service
A New Name, The Same Compassionate Mission
News & Events
Selfie-Tag for Hospice Going on Now!
If you’ve seen a slew of selfies lately on Facebook or other social media, some of them may well be part of the first-ever #unselfieforhospicecareplus campaign. The campaign, which begins the week of November 2, encourages users to engage in selfie-tag in support of hospice care. To play, users take a selfie with someone who…
How to Celebrate Nat’l Hospice Month
November is National Hospice Month, and our community is pulling together to celebrate, support, and raise awareness of hospice care. From eating out to dressing down, and selfie-tag to penny wars, there’s a way for everyone to get involved. Questions? Call us at 859-986-1500. COMMUNITY Sat., Nov. 7, 9am-4pm, Compassionate Care Center, New Volunteer Training:…
“Evening of Music” in Beattyville Nov. 7
Beattyville Christian Church is hosting a special event—An Evening of Music—on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 6pm, to raise funds for Hospice Care Plus. Featured music includes bluegrass, jazz, classical, country, gospel, folk and more. Local musicians will be highlighted. The organizers suggest a donation of at least $5.00 to attend. All proceeds benefit Hospice Care…
Holiday Grief Workshops Nov. 10 and 12
For people who’ve recently lost a loved one, the holiday season can present numerous challenges. The Holiday Grief Workshop, created and hosted by Hospice Care Plus, will discuss those challenges and give participants tips and tools to help them navigate the holiday season. The workshops will be held on November 10 and 12 at Hospice’s…