 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Hendrick Hospice Care
In 1982, a group of citizens in the Abilene area gathered to discuss the unmet needs of those living with life-threatening illnesses in our community. A primary goal was to restore dignity and to add value to the last months of the patient’s life. The unmet needs of the patient’s family members were also a major concern. This cross-section of community citizens soon realized that developing a hospice program was the best solution to offering, help, hope, and comfort to those facing life-threatening illnesses. They worked to develop a charter, create by-laws and solicit start-up funds. This initial founders group formed the first official Board of Trustees, under the name Hospice of Abilene and served the first patient in 1983.
The organization received its Medicare Certification in 1990. Medicare Certification established a consistent revenue stream which continues to provide seventy percent of the agency’s total revenue. The success of the agency was evidenced by its growth beyond the boundaries of Abilene. In 1993, Hospice of Abilene affiliated with Hendrick Health System. To best reflect the growth of the agency and the addition of a Hospice Inpatient Unit, located in Hendrick Medical Center, the name was changed to Hendrick Hospice Care in 1997.
Hospice care is not limited to any specific disease. While patients commonly have a diagnosis of cancer, people with chronic lung disease, chronic heart disease, Alzheimer disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, congenital birth defects, renal failure, old age, or AIDS are also candidates for hospice care. No one is denied services based on disease, age, race, gender, religion, or ability to pay.
Our hospice today remains true to its original mission of offering help, hope, and comfort. Hendrick Hospice Care provides the help of a well trained professional team of physicians, nurses, social workers, home health aides, chaplains, and volunteers. The hospice hope is to maintain the highest possible level of independence within familiar surroundings supported by family and friends. The comfort of hospice care provides pain relief and symptom control to the patients, and encouragement and continued support to the family through active bereavement counseling.
