Providing for hospice care

As a healthcare professional and owner of Integrated Care in Sisters, Maureen Bidasolo, R.N., is well-acquainted with the vital services provided to her clients by local hospices and the Partners In Care Hospice House.

According to Bidasolo, her 10-person team of caregivers “help seniors stay in their homes, wherever that may be.” They start out being companions to their clients, providing housekeeping, meal preparation, and medication management, for which they are specially trained.

As clients’ health issues become more serious, Bidasolo often works in conjunction with hospice nurses, social workers, and chaplains for patients who remain at home. As the end draws near, clients or their families often choose for them to spend their last days receiving the specialized care provided at Hospice House in Bend. For example, intractable pain is managed with medications not possible for home use.

When family caregivers need a break from intensive care requirements, patients can experience up to five days of respite care at Hospice House before returning home.

Some of Bidasolo’s clients aren’t able to remain at home to the end of life.

“Some families just can’t watch their loved ones die in their home. Having a choice in the community like Hospice House is very important for many families,” said Bidasolo.

When it comes to the end of life, Bidasolo said that hospice is wonderful to work with and is available day and night every day of the year.

She indicated that space in the current six-bed Hospice House is often at capacity and she welcomes the idea of a new 12-bed facility which will be partially financed by a $100,000 Sisters Challenge Campaign, which is now underway.

To make a donation to the Sisters Challenge in support of the new Hospice House, send a check to Partners In Care, 2075 NE Wyatt Ct., Bend, OR 97701, clearly marked for the Sisters Challenge. Visit http://www.partnersbend.org for more information and to donate online, or call 541-706-1335 to discuss your gift.