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.
Honoring those who have served our country is one of our greatest joys. Not everyone understands how important it can be for a veteran to be formally recognized for their service, especially as the end of life nears. For some, these bedside ceremonies are the first time they’ve experienced that kind of recognition. For Jack, a Korean War veteran, being honored for his service meant more than we could have imagined.
Jack’s family shared with us that the Korean War was often referred to as “The Forgotten War,” and veterans who served in this war sometimes feel overlooked. Jack’s hospice team got to work on planning a recognition for his service. They reached out to Honor Flight Bluegrass, out of Louisville, and plans were underway to get Jack on the next flight to Washington, D.C. Although Jack appreciated the offer, he ultimately decided that a ceremony at home would be best, so we brought the honor flight to him.
On a chilly October evening, members from the local American Legion, along with a representative from Honor Flight Bluegrass, helped us recognize Jack for his dedicated service as a Korean War veteran. There were a few tears, but mostly big smiles and a lot of stories from Jack’s days in the Korean War. His sister said he’d long been waiting for this day – a day to be formally thanked.
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:
Journaling Through Grief Series Hosted in Irvine
News & Events
Grief & Bereavement in the Age of COVID-19
The Kentucky Hospice Network (KHN) is proud to host this virtual inservice on Thursday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EST. Registration is available online. Joelle Osterhaus, LCSW, LICSW, ACHP-SW, and Karen Monts will lead an important and timely discussion on how the COVID-19 pandemic affects grief and bereavement and how organizations can…
National Healthcare Decisions Day
National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) is April 16. This is the thirteenth year the country has observed NHDD, but the pandemic has made it more relevant than ever. Hospice Care Plus is honoring the day by offering free resources to help individuals make and document their healthcare decisions. Lisa Knicely, the Director of Outreach Programs…
Give a “Heart for Hospice” in February
For the entire month of February, several local banks are hosting the annual “Hearts for Hospice” fundraising event. When you visit a participating bank in the lobby or at the drive-through, you will have the opportunity to request a memorial heart for a donation of at least one dollar. Donors write their name or the…
Remembrance Tree Ceremony Dec. 6
One of our community’s most beloved, holiday traditions is the annual Remembrance Tree Ceremony, with hundreds participating each year for more than 25 years. The 2020 ceremony will be hosted live and virtually on Sunday, December 6, at 2 p.m. The event will be live-streamed on our Remembrance Tree 2020 Facebook event page. To participate,…