"So blessed"—Hospice of Humboldt has provided patient-centered care since 1979
- Mar 8, 2023
- 3 min read
The Carter Center recently announced that former President Jimmy Carter is in home hospice care. This news raises questions for many Americans: What is hospice care? How does it differ from palliative care? Why do people choose hospice or palliative care? How do people access these types of care? The staff at Hospice of Humboldt answers these questions and more here:
“Hospice of Humboldt was created in 1979 with the philosophy that every person deserves to live out their life with respect and dignity, alert and free of pain, and in an environment that promotes quality of life,” said Tia Baratelle, director of development, Hospice of Humboldt. “There is a focus on the patient’s goals and wishes at all times. Whether they choose to live out their life in restful solitude or surrounded by loved ones at home — sometimes that ‘home’ may be a residential care facility, skilled nursing facility or at the Ida Emmerson Hospice House — the care provided by HoH is always patient-centered.”
Hospice care provides compassionate medical care, eases communication and offers support to families, Baratelle explained. The hospice care team includes hospice professionals and volunteers with deeply caring hearts and a listening ear.
Hospice of Humboldt also offers a separate home-based palliative care program, she said. “Palliative care gives relief from the symptoms and stress that arise when someone is coping with a serious illness,” Baratelle said. “This supportive care program is available even if a person is still receiving curative treatment, it offers an extra layer of in-home support to individuals and families, which allows people to live their life to the fullest extent possible.”
Baratelle and the folks at Hospice of Humboldt also shared this letter from Dianne Bitte, who recently sent the letter to Hospice of Humboldt:
Bitte’s letter said, “My husband, Larry Bitte, resided in the Ida Emmerson Hospice House for many months in 2022. His care was beyond words due to their divine professionalism and anticipation of his physical, spiritual and mental needs.
“Visiting him every day was a joy and a privilege. The Hospice House sits on 12 iconic redwood acres and it is welcoming in many ways of beautiful proportions with patios outside patient rooms and sumptuous views, close to the nurses’ station, however, the crème de la crème is the devotion and excellence of each staff member. Their teamwork is without parallel. They carry an unsurpassed dignity for the patients and their families in the midst of dying. Every day they never failed to both anticipate and fulfill every need. Additionally, there are spiritual caregivers and grief support counselors available for balance and grieving: Their services are available for a full year.
“We are so blessed to live in a community that literately stepped up and donated so many comfortable furnishings, even an outside playground for little visitors. No corner was left undone. A dining and living room are available for family and friends. Larry had visitors from Oregon, Washington and Alaska. All were blown away by the Hospice House and his level of care.
“Volunteers, often with four legged friends, visit on a regular basis and, at the ending of our involuntary isolation, we had live musicians and choirs that sung to us.
“After visiting every day for months, we miss each of them dearly: They became our surrogate family as Larry faded away. Their hearts and spirits were so constant, a source of comfort and support. We all felt so blessed and want to give back after our mourning has ebbed.
— Gratefully yours, Dianne (wife) and Lisa (daughter) Bitte
Baratelle says that Hospice of Humboldt is grateful for the continued community support.
“Donations help provide essential care that is needed in our community,” said Baratelle.
Donations can be made via www.hospiceofhumboldt.org, or by calling 707-445-8443 or mailing a donation to 3327 Timber Fall Court, Eureka, CA, 95503.
Hospice of Humboldt has been serving families locally since 1979, has a staff of over 100 employees and works with nearly 80 volunteers.
This story originally appeared on the Times-Standard.com.
