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 empowers those we serve to enjoy the highest quality of life, respecting their values, beliefs, needs, and goals through specialized care, education, resources, and grief support.
Our Service Area:
Our Home Hospice and Home Palliative Care programs serve 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:
News & Events
Your Place to be on Derby Eve
Berea, Ky., 15 April 2014 It’s hard to believe, but Friday, May 2, will be the 11th time our community has gathered for our very own Derby Eve party. Reservations are now open for the Gala on Derby Eve and can be made by calling 859-986-1500 or emailing hospice@hospicecp.org. Tickets are $100 and reservations should…
May Memorial Service on May 20
Berea, Ky., 13 May 2014 On Tuesday, May 20, Hospice Care Plus will join with families of hospice patients to remember and honor loved ones. The annual Hospice Care Plus May Memorial Service is at 6:00 p.m. on May 20 at Eastside Community Church in Richmond. A reception will follow, with refreshments provided by hospice…
New Hospice Volunteer Training Scheduled
Berea, Ky., 2 June 2014 We will host a training for new hospice volunteers on Saturday, June 21, from 9am to 4pm at our Compassionate Care Center in Richmond. Our volunteers do a variety of tasks to help support patients, families, and our non-profit organization. From sitting with a patient so a caregiver can have…
To be There for His 1st Day of School
Nancy and her husband Skip had nearly 40 years of history together when she learned she had lung cancer in June 2009. By Christmas, she knew curative treatments were no longer helping. Her focus became quality of life, and we were honored to be asked to care for her at home. Nancy and Skip were…