SID PETERSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

PETERSON HOSPICE IS A DEPARTMENT OF PRMC AND IS LOCATED OFF CAMPUS. IT OPERATES AS ONE OF THE HOSPITAL'S MANY OUTREACHES FOR THE HILL COUNTRY COMMUNITIES IT SERVES. PETERSON HOSPICE IS THE ONLY NON-PROFIT HOSPICE IN THE HILL COUNTRY WITH A MISSION THAT NO ONE WILL BE DENIED HOSPICE CARE BECAUSE OF AN INABILITY TO PAY. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING HOSPICE CARE, PETERSON HOSPICE ALSO PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING UNFUNDED COMMUNITY SERVICES: 1. NAVIGATING THE WATERS OF GRIEF A SIX WEEK GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP FOR ADULTS. THIS PROGRAM IS FACILITATED TWICE A YEAR BY A GRIEF EXPERT WHO IS A LICENSED MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER (MSW). NAVIGATING THE WATERS OF GRIEF WORKS CLOSELY WITH HILL COUNTRY CLERGY AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO SERVE HOSPICE FAMILIES AS WELL AS OTHERS FACING THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE OR FRIEND. 2. BRIDGING THE GAP A SIX WEEK GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP FOR CHILDREN AGES KINDER THROUGH 12TH GRADE. THIS PROGRAM GIVES THEM THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO WORK THROUGH THE GRIEVING PROCESS. THE PARENTS ATTEND AS WELL TO OPEN COMMUNICATION AND FEELINGS TO HELP THE CHILD DEAL WITH GRIEF AT THEIR AGE APPROPRIATE LEVEL. BTG WORKS WITH ALL HILL COUNTRY SCHOOLS AND THEIR COUNSELORS. THE LOCAL COMMUNITY SERVES AS FACILITATORS AND VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS EXCELLENT PROGRAM. 3. CAMP RAYS OF HOPE IS A STATEWIDE PROGRAM WHICH IS A WEEKEND RETREAT FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN THAT INCORPORATES THE PARENTS AS WELL. THE CHILDREN LEARN NEW WAYS TO COPE WITH THEIR LOSS, AND TO MEET OTHERS WITH SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES TO REMEMBER SPECIAL TIMES, TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS, AND TO HAVE FUN. 4. FLORAL PROGRAM IS A VOLUNTEER DRIVEN PROGRAM THAT DELIVERS FLOWERS TO OUR PATIENTS. THE LOCAL FLORISTS IN THE AREA DONATE THE FLOWERS AND VOLUNTEERS ARRANGE AND DELIVER THEM. VOLUNTEERS ALSO SUPPORT FAMILIES AND PATIENTS WITH THEIR VISITS. 5. PATHWAYS THIS VOLUNTEER OUTREACH OFFERS HOME BASED SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO CLIENTS WITH AN ILLNESS THAT HAS A LIMITED LIFE EXPECTANCY BUT IS NOT YET HOSPICE APPROPRIATE. VOLUNTEERS HELP REDUCE THE ISOLATION AND VULNERABILITY THAT CLIENTS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCE DURING A DIFFICULT TIME. EDUCATION IS AVAILABLE THROUGH PRMC RESOURCES REGARDING DISEASE PROCESSES, COPING STRATEGIES, ADVANCE DIRECTIVES, AND PRACTICAL AND SPIRITUAL ISSUES. THIS SUPPORT HELPS CLIENTS DEFINE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. 6. COMMUNITY SERVE PROGRAM OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CITIZENS TO FULFILL COURT OBLIGATIONS IN A BENEFICIAL MANNER. 367 ADMISSIONS ACCOUNTED FOR 38,423 PATIENT DAYS.