To Have Coffee with an Old Friend

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.

When we ask our patients what’s most important to them or what’s on their minds, what we are trying to do is learn. We can’t meet a need that we haven’t learned about. Many needs are relatively obvious and easy to meet: a walker for support, a new medication to treat a new symptom, for instance. Other needs take time to reveal themselves, but they are no less important.

One of Fred’s needs was about home, routines, and the special companionship we often find in our four-legged friends.

Fred wanted to go home again and have a cup of coffee in his favorite spot on the couch with his dog, Sam.

We’ve cared for Fred at home for several months. Recently, though, his pain worsened and his symptoms changed. He chose to come to our Compassionate Care Center, where we’d work to get his symptoms under control.

He missed home, though. He missed his beloved dog, Sam. And he missed that comfortable spot on the couch where, every day, he would enjoy a cup of coffee.

So, as we have done many times, we partnered with the generous team at Madison County EMS. They worked with us to get Fred home safely. His Hospice Care Plus nurse, Jodi, arrived before Fred so she could make a pot of coffee. Madison County EMS stayed at home with Fred while he sat on his couch, had coffee, and reunited with Sam. They gave him all the space he needed to savor that time at home. Then, they took him back to the Center, where we continue to manage his pain and symptoms.

We’re so grateful to Fred for letting us do this with and for him and for reminding us that hospice care is about living each day to the fullest and making every moment matter.

Special thanks to Madison County EMS for being such good partners for those in our care, to Cheryl for facilitating Fred’s homecoming, to Jodi Neal for making a fantastic cup of coffee, and to all our staff in Berea and at our Center for pulling this together so quickly.

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

WWAG's Dangerous Dan will co-host Radio Day on Dec. 1.

WWAG Hospice Radio Day Dec. 1

For the second time in two years, Hospice Care Plus is partnering with WWAG-FM for a special Hospice Radio Day program on December 1 from noon until 4 p.m. The WWAG-Hospice Radio Day will feature several special guests, including entertainment by Phillip Akemon, Jerry Sparks and wife Carmen Leah, and “Granny,” whose performance of “Beautiful…

hospice_remembrance-tree_invite-cropped

Get Remembrance Tree Ornaments Now

Hospice Care Plus’s annual Remembrance Tree ceremony is set for Sunday, December 4, 2:00 p.m., at a new location: EKU’s Center for the Arts. The event is a long-standing tradition for Hospice Care Plus and the community, bringing hundreds together for more than 20 years. The Remembrance Tree ceremony gives the community a chance to remember loved…

A soon-to-be-named puppy is the new therapy pet in-training for the Hospice Care Plus Compassionate Care Center.

Meet our “Joy”

We’re happy to introduce you to the newest member of the Hospice Care Plus family: Joy, a golden retriever, was born on Tuesday, September 6, to proud parents Zach and Tillie (also golden retrievers). Zach and Tillie’s human is a Madison County resident who trains therapy pets. She has donated her services to train both therapy pets that…

know-your-options-square-banner

Nat’l Hospice Month-Know Your Options

The theme of National Hospice Month 2016 is Know Your Options. According to the Conversation Project, 80% of people say, if they had a serious illness, they would want to talk to their doctor about end-of-life care options. Only 7% actually have that conversation with their doctor. In honor of National Hospice Month 2016: Know…