About Us
About HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley
Our mission is to provide compassionate and dignified palliative and end-of-life care to patients and their families.
We are a non-profit organization, governed by a Board of Directors who live and work in communities throughout our service area. As leaders, employees, and volunteers, we strive to apply our values of dignity, comfort, trust, peace, hope, and stewardship in all that we do.
HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley was founded in 2008 with very humble beginnings. Two nurses and a chaplain worked tirelessly to start this organization as there were no hospice services available in the Roaring Fork Valley, and these services were desperately needed. Our goal at Home Care & Hospice of the Valley is to enable our patients and their families to live well in the comfort of their homes while dealing with difficult health conditions. We hope that our care and actions can enhance everyone’s time spent together as a family.
We believe that every life is sacred and that every individual in the last stage of life should die with dignity.
We believe everyone deserves to know and understand available options for end-of-life care.
We believe people of all ages deserve to have their grief honored and their lives celebrated.
We believe no one should live in pain.
We believe no one should die feeling alone.
Hospice Questions
We know this is a very difficult topic. Below, we provide some frequently asked questions to help guide you, but please contact us for further assistance.
When and How Should I Consider Hospice?
Sarah’s Story May Help You Decide How to Consider Hospice for Yourself or a Loved One.
Moment 1: The Quiet Realization
Sarah had been living with her illness for a while, and over the past few months, she began to notice that things were changing. She was growing more tired, her breath a little more shallow, her energy fading quicker than it had before. It wasn’t just the physical symptoms; it was the sense of knowing that the future she once imagined had started to feel a little less certain.
One evening, sitting in her favorite armchair by the window, Sarah looked out at the setting sun. Her daughter, Emily, had just left after a visit, and Sarah had felt the ache in her chest as she saw how deeply Emily wanted to help her. She had started thinking about what would happen if things continued this way. The illness was taking a toll on her body, and she didn’t want to burden Emily or the rest of her family.
That was the first moment she truly wondered about hospice care. The idea wasn’t unfamiliar to her, but it had always seemed like something distant. She had heard stories of families facing tough decisions, but it was something she hadn’t imagined for herself.
Moment 2: A Heart-to-Heart with Her Doctor
The next time Sarah saw her doctor, she brought up the topic. She’d been struggling with the idea for weeks, unsure of whether it was time to consider a service that focused more on comfort than cure. But her doctor was kind and understanding, walking her through the options in a way that helped her see that hospice wasn’t about giving up, but that it was about living her days with as much comfort and peace as possible.
“Many people find that hospice care provides more support than they expected,” the doctor said. “It’s not about the end—it’s about honoring the time you have left and making sure you’re surrounded by care that focuses on your well-being.”
Sarah felt a sense of relief. She realized it was a decision she could make not just for herself, but for her family. Hospice would allow her to remain at home, in a place of familiarity and warmth, rather than enduring hospital visits and emergency procedures.
Moment 3: Talking to Emily
Later that week, Sarah decided it was time to talk to Emily about what she was thinking. It was a conversation she knew would be difficult, but she also knew it was necessary. Emily had always been there for her, and Sarah didn’t want to wait until things became too overwhelming.
Sitting together on the couch, Sarah took a deep breath and started. “Sweetheart, I’ve been thinking a lot about what comes next… and I think it might be time to start hospice care.”
Emily paused, her eyes searching Sarah’s face for some sign of hope. “What do you mean, Mom?”
“I mean… I think I’m ready to focus on comfort rather than fighting for more time. I want to be at home with you, with the people I love. And I want to be sure that, no matter what, I’m not causing anyone unnecessary stress.”
Tears welled up in Emily’s eyes, but she nodded. “I understand, Mom. I want you to have whatever peace you need.”
In that moment, Sarah realized that even though the conversation was hard, it was also a gift. They could face the future with clarity, knowing that they were making decisions together, as a family.
Moment 4: Finding Comfort in Hospice Care
When hospice care began, Sarah found a sense of calm that she hadn’t known in months. The team of nurses, social workers, and chaplains provided not just medical support but emotional and spiritual care as well. They helped Sarah stay comfortable in her own home, offering guidance and easing her family’s concerns.
The best part, Sarah thought, was that her family no longer had to worry about the unknown. They knew exactly what to expect, and Sarah felt more at peace knowing she wasn’t just relying on her loved ones to take care of her, they had a support system in place, too.
She had a sense of gratitude for the time she had left, as she could now focus on what mattered most: the love and connection she shared with those closest to her.
Moment 5: A Peaceful Goodbye
As Sarah’s journey continued, she and Emily often sat together in the quiet moments, reflecting on their memories. They didn’t talk about the future in terms of worry anymore. Instead, they shared stories, laughed, and held each other. Sarah felt grateful that she had made the decision to begin hospice care—it allowed her to let go of the burden of constant treatment and embrace the time she had left with grace.
In the end, hospice was not the end—it was a new chapter. A chapter where Sarah could focus on what brought her joy, surrounded by the people she loved and who loved her back.
Who can receive hospice?
Care is for anyone who has a life expectancy of six months or less based on a physician’s best judgment. This includes, but is not limited to, Alzheimer’s, heart and liver diseases, cancer, COPD, ALS, Parkinson’s and other conditions related to end-of-life.
If I start hospice, will I still be able to make decisions about my care?
Yes, you and your family are in charge of the decisions made about your care. Your care is specific to your choices and needs. Every effort will be made to:
- Respect you as a whole person
- Ease your pain and discomfort
- Provide emotional and spiritual support
- Partner with your Doctors to provide care planned specifically for you
- Assist you in achieving your personal goals
- Honor your choices
What does the 6-month hospice requirement mean?
Some people misinterpret their doctor’s suggestion to consider hospice thinking that it means death is very near.
That’s not always the case. At times, people don’t begin hospice care soon enough to take full advantage of the benefit and support. If you are enrolled in Medicare, you have worked a lifetime for these benefits, and they can be so helpful much sooner in life than people realize.
People enrolled in Medicare can receive hospice care if their healthcare provider thinks they have less than 6 months to live should the disease take its usual progression. Often, it is difficult for physicians to predict how long an older, sick person will live. In some cases health can decline more slowly than anticipated by the best healthcare professionals.
What happens if someone being cared for on hospice lives longer than 6 months?
Medicare will continue to pay for hospice services if a person’s doctor continues to certify that that person is still close to dying and shows signs of doing so. It is also possible to leave hospice care for a while and then later return if the healthcare provider still believes that the patient has less than 6 months to live.
How does hospice care improve quality of life for me and my family?
As triathlete and nurse practitioner, Jonathan Pascaul stated: “Living well and dying well are deeply connected.”
We come to you, providing what you need to be comfortable. This allows you to focus on valuable time with your loved ones.
Hospice care may also improve quality of life by:
- Helping you live – your way.
- Providing excellent clinical care
- Having an excellent team of nurses, chaplains, social workers, aides to support you physically and emotionally.
Having a Hospice nurse available any time day or night
Does HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley provide 24-hour care?
You have access to our skilled, knowledgeable hospice staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our team is available to respond to your needs whenever you call.
Does HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley provide care in hospitals, assisted living and nursing facilities?
Yes, we work in partnership with all hospitals and assisted living and nursing facilities in our service area.
Does HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley make funeral arrangements?
We do not make funeral arrangements, but your care team can assist you in locating the information you need to make such decisions and will support you in the choices that feel right to you.
What kind of grief support does HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley offer?
Hospice care continues for surviving family members, friends and caregivers as they adjust to life after the death of a loved one. The kinds of grief support provided and the length of time we remain involved will depend on what feels most comfortable to you. Team members and volunteers will check in with you periodically to offer information and support. You will also receive information about support groups that can help you cope with the change that come with grieving.