BLUE RIDGE HOSPICE INC

BLUE RIDGE HOSPICE, INC. BEGAN OPERATIONS IN NOVEMBER 1979, THROUGH THE VISION AND DETERMINATION OF TWO INDIVIDUALS. BLUE RIDGE HOSPICE IS A MEDICARE AND MEDICAID-CERTIFIED HOSPICE NOT-FOR-PROFIT 501(C )(3) ORGANIZATION PROVIDING PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND SPIRITUAL CARE FOR THE TERMINALLY ILL AND THEIR FAMILIES. BLUE RIDGE HOSPICE HAS ALSO EARNED THE JOINT COMMISSION'S GOLD SEAL OF APPROVAL. AT ITS INCEPTION, BLUE RIDGE HOSPICE SERVED ONLY A FEW PATIENTS EACH DAY IN THE WINCHESTER AREA. NOW THEY SERVE APPROXIMATELY 2,100 PATIENTS A YEAR AND ARE REGARDED AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE HEALTH SERVICES SYSTEM IN THE NORTHERN SHENANDOAH VALLEY AND SURROUNDING AREA INCLUDING THE CITY OF WINCHESTER AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES (FREDERICK, CLARKE, WARREN, SHENANDOAH, PAGE, FAUQUIER, AND LOUDOUN) OFFERING A VARIETY OF CARE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, MUSIC THERAPY, BEREAVEMENT, AND CHAPLAIN SERVICES. THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AND ITS GROWTH, BLUE RIDGE HOSPICE'S HAS REMAINED CONSTANT. THE HOSPICE STRIVES TO MAKE QUALITY END-OF-LIFE CARE AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FACING SERIOUS ILLNESS AND TO SUPPORT ANYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY AFFECTED BY DEATH, DYING, AND LOSS. SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE HOSPICE ARE UNDER PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL SUPERVISION AND PROVIDED TO ALLOW THE DYING PERSON TO LIVE AS PAIN-FREE AND COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE PHYSICIAN CARE, NURSING CARE, SOCIAL WORK, CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS, SPIRITUAL SUPPORT, BEREAVEMENT COUNSELING, MUSIC THERAPY, AND VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE. NEARLY 180 VOLUNTEERS OFFER GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF TIME, TALENT, AND COMPASSION TO THE PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. PATIENTS ARE SERVED REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY FOR THE HOSPICE SERVICES AND PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY $104,000 IN CHARITY CARE DURING 2024. THE COSTS OF THIS CARE, AS WELL AS THE COST OF PROVIDING UNREIMBURSED SERVICES, IS SUPPLEMENTED BY THE OPERATION OF BLUE RIDGE HOSPICE'S VARIOUS THRIFT SHOPS. THESE THRIFT SHOPS PROMOTE THE HOSPICE MISSION AND AWARENESS AS WELL AS SUPPORT THE SERVICES PROVIDED TO PATIENTS AND FAMILIES THAT ARE WELL BEYOND MEDICARE AND OTHER INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT. THE EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE OPERATION OF THE THRIFT SHOPS ARE INCLUDED IN FUNDRAISING EXPENSES.