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:
2024 Remembrance Tree Ceremony
HCP Launches New Website
News & Events
National Healthcare Decisions Day
National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) is April 16. Hospice Care Plus is honoring the day by offering free resources to residents of our six-county service area to help individuals make and document their healthcare decisions. Lisa Knicely, the Director of Outreach Programs at Hospice Care Plus and the organization’s lead social worker, says NHDD reinforces…
Bourbon, Boots & BBQ May 5
UPDATE: We are officially SOLD OUT of reservations for the Bourbon, Boots & BBQ Derby Eve Party. Madison County’s longest-running Derby Eve party has reached its 20th year, and reservations are available now through April 28. The Bourbon, Boots & BBQ Derby Eve Benefit will take place Friday, May 5, at 6 p.m., at Churchill’s,…
A Night of Comedy for Hospice Care Plus
We’re excited to announce the first annual A Night of Comedy for Hospice Care Plus, featuring nationally known stand-up comedian and Kentucky native That Guy Joe Deuce. Joe has been named Funniest Comedian of Lexington and featured in his own stand-up special on Dry Bar Comedy, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. Join us on Friday, March…
We Are Now Centrally Located in Richmond
Yesterday was move-in day as we consolidated our Berea office with our Compassionate Care Center in Richmond. Now our home hospice program, home palliative program, bereavement care, and administrative staff are all located on the Center’s campus. “We made this decision as part of our strategic plan. It makes us more efficient, financially stronger, and…