Give Where You Live

It’s the little things that bring dignity

Matthew’s world spiraled out of control when his 11-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver as she walked home from school. Deep grief affected him profoundly and his life was difficult. Stricken with terminal cancer in his 60s, he came to the hospice care center when there was nowhere else for him to go. He had no visitors and staff became his family. They gave him scraps of wood and spare tools with which he made bird houses. Then he gave the houses to families who were visiting their loved ones in the care center.

Matthew told staff he never imagined he would be cared for with such dignity, or in his words, “treated like a real person.” The day he died, every staff member returned to the care center that evening to participate in a memorial service for him.

Matthew didn’t have insurance. Fortunately, charity care funds were available to cover his stay. Extraordinary care comes at an extraordinary cost. Last year our agency spent more than $900,000 on charity care and community benefit services. Community benefit services include hospice respite care, bereavement programs, We Honor Veterans, Pet Peace of Mind, and other services for which we don’t receive payment.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been challenging to provide the level of charity care needed by patients like Matthew. That’s because we’re spending more money buying masks, gloves and gowns to protect staff who are caring for sick patients.

Also, our home health revenues are down 25% because elective procedures, such as joint replacements, were halted during COVID-19. Throughout the pandemic, we have not laid off any of our heroic healthcare staff.

A way to help

This month we’re launching the Give Where You Live campaign to raise funds for charity care and community benefit services. Your gift to the campaign will help vulnerable neighbors who need compassionate care under the most difficult and poignant situations. It will help young children grieve the loss of a parent, dying veterans receive recognition for their military service, hospice patients get pet care assistance, and more.

Please consider making a gift today because you’re part of a community that cares. And because you’ll want the same care when the time comes for you or your loved one.

Your gift brings peace of mind. Thank you!
 

Questions? 360.597.0717 or give@chhh.org. Community Home Health & Hospice maintains strong electronic privacy, and pledges not to release your personal data without your consent. Federal Tax ID 91-1399370