Call 800.554.9550 for
Caring for the Community
Uncommon Support for Dying with Dignity
It may seem odd, but some of the most important care that St. Anthony’s
Hospice Program provides comes after a person’s death, says Marsha Van
Nest, Director of Hospice/Home Care. “The family members who are left
behind need to know that grieving is a very normal process – and that
they’re not alone in what they’re going through,” she says.
Addressing this need – through a broad range of bereavement programs and services – is an essential part of hospice care at St. Anthony’s.
- 900+ pieces of mail distributed monthly
- 875 families served by six Bereavement Coordinators in FY07
- Four regularly-scheduled Grief Support groups meeting on campus bi-weekly or monthly
“What sets us apart from many hospice programs,” Van Nest notes, “is that we are committed to looking at the patient and the family as a whole, and we dedicate many people to this work – including six employees who are focused exclusively on bereavement care.”
St. Anthony’s commitment represents a true community benefit, Van Nest says, because most of the grief support programs are open to the public – whether or not the deceased family member was served by the Fern & Russell F. de Greeff Hospice House or the hospice home care program. “We receive no reimbursement for these services, but it’s an important way for us to help the community become more supported as a whole,” she notes.
Outreach efforts are also a key part of the hospital’s work. “Our
nurse practitioner conducts regular in-service workshops with nursing homes
in the community – helping their staffs develop skills for providing
compassionate end-of-life care,” Van Nest says. “In addition, we make presentations
available to local organizations and community fairs – to spread the
word about the services we offer.”
Ultimately, hospice care and grief support represent key parts of St. Anthony’s mission, Van Nest believes. “We work hard to give patients and their families the support they need to make this final journey as meaningful as possible.”
For information or a physician referral, please call 800.554.9550 or visit our online physician referral.
At St. Anthony's, our vision is to be the area's premier health care organization — and your first choice for health care services.