Hospice of Montezuma is a community nonprofit that specializes in providing dignity and quality of life at the end of life. It enables a person to remain at home among loved ones, alert and pain-free as possible while providing support to the patient’s family.

Things to know:

Hospice can provide care within an assisted-living facility, nursing home or hospital.Trained professionals (nurses, counselors, clergy, therapists, social workers and volunteers) provide services under the supervision of the patient’s primary care doctor.Common question: Who can be admitted and by whom?Most often patients are referred by their doctor, however family, friends, clergy or other health care professionals may do so.It starts with a phone call to Hospice of Montezuma.Next is admission. Hospice needs a doctor’s documentation certifying a Medicare-approved diagnosis for admission and our medical directors’ certification.I was a caregiver for my father, and now a care-consultant for Hospice. I feel Hospice is under-utilized. It is therefore possible that some are suffering unnecessarily.I respect that it is a family matter when it comes to end of life, but please understand that earlier care may equal quality of life for the patient as well as their caregivers.Our Hospice has free community-based support programs, in-person consults and phone bereavement and caregiver support.If you or a loved one needs end-of-life consulting, please contact us as soon as possible. We really are here to help.Thank you for your consideration,

Richard M. FeitCortez