To Make a Meaningful Mark

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.

We all have bucket-list wishes. Sometimes the thing you want to do seems simple, like getting a tattoo, but is really about much more–claiming and honoring someone you love, for instance.

As our Hospice Care Plus home care team worked with and cared for Deloris, it became clear that one of her daughters was on her mind. Deloris had tattoos representing each of her children. But this daughter was adopted later in life, so she wasn’t included in the tattoo. As our care team learned more about her, they could see that this was important and meaningful. They did what they always do – tried to find a way to make it happen.

Chasity Smallwood-Coleman, our director of development, heard about Deloris’s special wish on her day off work. She was familiar with a local tattoo business–Lucky Lady Tattoos in Richmond–and reached out to ask its artist, Will, for help. Will agreed to donate his services.

Then, as we often do, we turned to our heroes at Madison County EMS about safely transporting Deloris to Lucky Lady Tattoos. They also let her be tattooed on the stretcher, which was more comfortable for her.

By the end of the day, Deloris had what she needed: resolution, peace, and a mark that claimed and embraced all of her children.

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.

Leave a Comment





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:

Give a Heart for Hospice in February

Hearts for Hospice displayed at Community Trust Bank in 2024 During the month of February, several local banks and businesses...

Celebrating Teresa Turner’s Retirement

On January 31, Teresa Turner, APRN, will retire from Hospice Care Plus after more than 24 years of service. An...

Journaling Through Grief: A New Grief Support Series

Hospice Care Plus is offering a new grief support series called Journaling Through Grief, starting Jan. 14 and ending June...

Grief and Loss During Holidays and Milestones

Holidays can be a uniquely difficult time for those grieving the loss of a loved one. You may find that...

News & Events

Mr. Eversole unboxing cropped

The Best Biscuit Breakfast

Harold Eversole is cared for by our home hospice program. He enjoys entertaining our team with interesting stories about his life.
One humorous story was about the long-running debate between him and his brother over which restaurant made the best biscuits and gravy.

The Hospice Care Plus Berea office building, shown with cars in the lot and the Hospice Care Plus sign in front.

Central Office to Relocate to Richmond

There are exciting changes ahead for Hospice Care Plus. When the COVID pandemic began, many organizations, including Hospice Care Plus, had to make changes to adapt to new circumstances.  Hospice found that many employees in the central office in Berea could work hybrid-remote or fully remote. This dramatically downsized the office space needed to run…

Santa and Anthony 8

Anthony’s Christmas with Santa

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.”

Lois Harrison on far right

To Preserve & Share a Song

All her life, Lois Harrison used the gift of her voice to express and share her faith. Singing was very important to her. But, now in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease, Lois could no longer speak.