Celebrating 30 Years Of Caring
Wednesday - September 23, 2009 Share
By Kenneth L. Zeri,
President and Chief Professional Officer
At 10 years old, “Mele” had just experienced the death of her father and was reaching out for support. Her mother enrolled her in Hospice Hawaii’s annual Family Bereavement Camp, where she and her family were provided the opportunity to be in a welcoming setting, encouraged to express their emotions and make life-long relationships with others who were faced with the same struggle.As the years passed, Mele continued to attend the camp and progress in her grief process. Ten years later, she is now a volunteer helping others make sense of their loss and sort out their emotions.
For 30 years, Hospice Hawaii has served our island community by providing care and support to terminally ill patients and their families. Our comprehensive program is designed to support the choices of our patients as well as preserve their dignity, and allows them the opportunity to live the remainder of their lives as fully as possible.
As Hawaii’s first stand-alone hospice program, we are honored to have helped more than 10,000 local patients and their families as well as raise the standard of care for our community. Our team of seasoned professionals takes a holistic approach to care, working together to create a comprehensive plan that addresses the unique needs of our patients. Hospice Hawaii’s services go beyond traditional care for the patient and extend heavily to the family members who, understandably, face difficulty.
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People often have a preconceived notion that hospice is just for people who are bedridden and dying. But we know that patients do better when hospice is engaged earlier, which allows us to better serve the family. Should family members desire, we encourage, support and train them to care for their loved ones.
In addition to our quality care services for patients, Hospice Hawaii also supports those who may be experiencing grief or depression by providing bereavement services for one year after the death of a loved one. We understand the grief that comes with losing a loved one, and through bereavement counseling and camps, support groups and educational mailings, we provide outreach to survivors.
After three decades, we remain dedicated in the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to experience a meaningful ending of life, an enhanced sense of belonging, and a sense of purpose and hope. For more information about Hospice Hawaii, call us at 924-9255 or visit www.hospicehawaii.org.
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