Above all, the Hospice staff is extremely mission driven and dedicated to their work.
“I once heard a nurse describe her work like this: ‘It’s 2 a.m. in the middle of winter and you’re resting peacefully in your nice warm bed. The pager goes off and you know it’s cold out and the snow is blowing. You really don’t want to get out of bed, but you know that in that moment someone really needs you. You get up and you go.’ I think that really says it all. Each and every staff member approaches their ‘job’ with that level of care, concern and professionalism. It is an honor and privilege to walk this journey with a family when they need you the most,” Kellie said.
Although Hospice offers one of a kind services, it is not the only program available to help local cancer patients.
It is an honor and privilege to walk this journey with a family when they need you the most.
“There are a variety of programs available to the community to assist cancer patients in whatever phase of their journey they are experiencing,” Kellie said.
A branch of service offered by the organization called Advanced Illness Management, or AIM, provides services similar to Hospice care. Although it is not Hospice, the AIM Program similarly focuses on comfort, quality of life, and symptom management.
“This approach of care is intended as an extra level of support with a close collaboration between staff and the patient’s physician. The staff of the AIM Program make house calls and can focus on the pain and symptoms associated with cancer and the treatments the patient is seeking,” Kellie said. “Each family, illness, case, and situation is different and should be treated as such. Sometimes the smallest things make all the difference.”
For more information about Hospice or other programs and services contact Kellie at KHitchman@hospiceslv.org, call (315) 265-3105, or visit www.hospiceslv.org. The center is located at 6805 US Hwy 11, Potsdam, NY 13676.
"Hospice matters. The end of life deserves as much beauty, care, and respect as the beginning." - Anonymous