Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County opens new hospice care center

"Our neighbors in Snohomish County have recognized the need for an inpatient hospice care center for quite some time and we are thrilled that dream is coming to fruition," said Mark Johnson, Foundation director for Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County. "The care center will be completely funded by donations; we're in the home stretch of raising all the money needed for this new facility."

Expert care in a tranquil, homelike setting

The care center is located on the 8th floor of Providence Regional Medical Center Everett's Colby campus and it's the first hospice care center in Washington to be located inside a hospital.

The care center is very different from a typical hospital environment and was specially-designed to look and feel like home. It includes comfortable furniture, a soothing neutral color scheme and warm details like wood flooring and natural lighting in every patient room.

"Most patients are treated at home, but sometimes as a terminal illness progresses it can lead to pain and complicated symptoms that need to be managed in an inpatient setting," explained Lori Hermansen, RN, director of hospice. "The care center is a calm, soothing place where our specially-trained hospice caregivers can bring the patient's symptoms under control and make them comfortable so they can return home."

An interdisciplinary team of hospice nurses, social workers, chaplains and volunteers will provide relief and emotional support to patients and their families. The care center will start treating pediatric patients later this year.

"We are the only hospice agency in Snohomish County that treats infants and children so we created a special room to meet their needs," added Hermansen. "It has a beautiful crib for the patient and a gliding rocking chair where parents can spend extra time cuddling with their child."

Quality time with loved ones

The care center is designed to encourage families to spend quality time together for as long as they wish. Each private room has a comfortable chair that pulls out into a bed so loved ones can spend the night. In addition, there is a cozy living room, a large dining room and a full kitchen where family members and guests can prepare the patient's favorite foods.

"Two of the most popular foods people ask for at the end of life are bacon and ice cream," said Hermansen. "We encourage loved ones to use the kitchen to cook bacon, bake fresh cookies or prepare a special meal that will make the patient happy and bring them joy."

The care center features:

• 16 private rooms, each with scenic views of Everett, the Olympic Mountains or Puget Sound
• Full kitchen
• Large dining room
• Living room with fireplace
• Spa room with a large soaking tub
• Children's playroom
• Reflection room for moments of solitude or prayer

If you would like to support the new hospice care center, please donate online or call 425-261-4822.

About Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County
Founded in 1978, Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County is a recognized leader in the community for providing skilled nursing and rehabilitation care to homebound adults recovering from an injury or illness, and compassionate end-of-life care for adults and children living with life-limiting illness throughout Snohomish County and Camano Island. Services are provided wherever the patient resides. More information is available at http://www.providence.org/phhc.

Video - https://youtu.be/_4q1BKHjfZ0
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SOURCE Providence Health & Services

Related Links

http://www.providence.org