Hospice offers end-of-life care

Most people have heard about Hospice, but unless a family member has a terminal disease most in Sisters know little else.

Hospice of Redmond-Sisters is available to offer end-of-life care for terminally ill patients and their families.

The Sisters branch office has been operating locally for a little over a year. Its area of service includes Sisters, Black Butte Ranch and Camp Sherman. The Hospice team brings services to the dying patient and support for family members. These services include caring for the patient as an individual.

Hospice helps people to live with dignity and comfort at the end of life. Besides caring for adults, there is also pediatric Hospice care for the special needs of children.

Hospice volunteers form a backbone of direct contact with patients. Offering comfort by sitting and visiting with a dying person can be most rewarding for both the patient and the caregiver. Reading may also be a useful interaction.

Presently, there are eight hospice volunteers working in the Sisters area. Monthly lunches provide friendly interaction between volunteers.

"The volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization," said Diane Kellstrom, bereavement coordinator. "They go where they are needed and patient care is our priority."

Claudia Williams is the spiritual care assistant from Sisters.

Hospice neither hastens nor postpones a person's death. It regards dying as a normal process that all of us will face.

"We try to take care of the person's physical, emotional and spiritual needs," said development coordinator Barbara Grogan. "Ours is a philosophy of care."

Hospice also offers family members periods of rest, running family errands, and comfort by talking with the family. After death, the Hospice work is not done. Volunteers will offer emotional and grief support and be bereavement companions to family members for up to 13 months.

For younger children who have lost a family member, Hospice offers Camp Sunrise, a free weekend camping experience at Suttle Lake for children age 7-14. Active participation by the children brings about changes and a better feeling.

Nobody is refused care for lack of money. Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance and charitable contributions help to meet Hospice costs.

Other local organizations helping the Hospice program include Kiwanis, Sisters FAN and SOAR.

For more information contact Diane Kellstrom at 549-6558 or 548-7483. The Sisters office is located at the Sisters Art Works building, 204 W. Adams Ave. The office is open Wednesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.