For more than 40 years, Hospice of Western Kentucky has helped patients and families navigate serious illness and loss, providing care and support that extend beyond medical needs.
Hospice of Western Kentucky traces its roots to volunteers at Trinity Episcopal Church who came together with the goal of bringing hospice care to Owensboro. The organization served its first patient in 1982 and became Medicare certified in 1994.
Since then, the nonprofit has expanded beyond Daviess County to serve Hancock, Hopkins, and Muhlenberg counties, continuing to develop its services as community needs have grown.
Hannah Cecil, director of marketing for Hospice of Western Kentucky, said the organization takes pride in providing support that extends beyond patients’ medical needs.
“We support the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our patients while also supporting their families,” Cecil said.
One of the organization’s most significant milestones came in October 2013 with the opening of the Heartford House, the first freestanding inpatient hospice facility in western Kentucky. This month, the facility is celebrating 13 years of providing care to patients and their families.
The Heartford House offers 24-hour nursing care in a home-like environment for patients who need additional symptom management or respite care. Each patient has a private room with a covered patio, while shared gathering spaces allow families to spend time together.
Over the years, the facility has also hosted weddings, baptisms, family gatherings, and other meaningful moments for patients and their loved ones.
Hospice of Western Kentucky continues to invest in the Heartford House as the needs of the community grow. Several improvements have already been completed, including new flooring, paint, and furniture throughout patient rooms and shared spaces.
The lake on the property has also been repaired and expanded, and plans are underway to add patient rooms and parking.
Beyond the Heartford House, Hospice of Western Kentucky provides care wherever patients call home. Hospice patients receive support from a team that includes a nurse, nurse aide, social worker, and spiritual counselor.
Medications, medical supplies, equipment, and oxygen related to the hospice diagnosis are provided at no charge to families. The organization also offers palliative care to help people manage symptoms associated with chronic illnesses.
Grief services are available to the entire community, including individuals whose loved ones did not receive hospice care. Those services include individual support, grief groups, children’s resources, and Camp Erin, a free overnight grief camp for children and teens.
Cecil said another important part of the organization’s mission is helping families understand that hospice care does not have to be limited to a person’s final days.
“One of the biggest things we want people to know is that you do not have to wait until the last few days to consider hospice care,” she said. “The earlier someone is referred, the more time our team has to manage symptoms and help patients/families make the most of the time they have.”
Anyone can make a referral, and families are encouraged to reach out with questions even if they are unsure whether hospice care is the right next step.
Cecil said the support of the Owensboro community has also played an important role in the organization’s ability to serve local families.
“For more than 40 years, Owensboro and the communities we serve have supported us in so many ways,” Cecil said. “Local businesses sponsor events and support our programs, volunteers give their time, and community partners help us do even more for our patients and families.”
To learn more about Hospice of Western Kentucky, visit hpcwky.org or call 270-926-7565. The organization also shares information about its services, community events, and resources on social media.
The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Chamber has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for more than a century.
Today, with nearly 1,000 members, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives and serves as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region.
To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Kitty Jones, director of membership, at 270-926-1860 or kjones@owensboro.com.
By Morgan Urbanski The Owensboro Times