Pathways Hospice, Community Care for Northern Colorado
Pathways Hospice - Involved in Our Community
Without the generosity of our
community, it would be much more
difficult for Pathways Hospice to
provide such extensive services.
From volunteers to donors, we are
supported by a community that values
giving time and dollars to ensure that
care is available to those who need it.
We have an amazing volunteer Board
of Directors, incredible volunteers,
and many individuals and businesses
who generously support us through
donations of all kinds.
Knowing first hand how important it
is to be supported by our community,
Pathways Hospice makes it a priority
to be engaged in community
activities. We provide sponsorship,
outreach and education to help
others, many of whom offer invaluable
services of their own.
Pathways Hospice provides
sponsorship for other organizations
serving our community, including the
Alzheimer’s Association, local hospital
Remembering a Cowboy
by Amy Graver-Beers, Social Worker, Pathways Hospice
Don, a cowboy at heart.
With a love for open land and animals,
horses in particular, Donald Stoner
lived to share his experience with
many of us at Pathways Hospice.
Don was one who wore his cowboy
boots at all times, even as his health
declined. Over the years he felt most
comfortable in his boots and the
angle it provided in his gait. Growing
up, he was the proud owner of Trigger,
his horse, whom he loved and adored.
He found solace in escaping to the
fields at night on Trigger to watch the
stars glow in the open country.
During his visits with hospice staff, he
reminisced about Trigger and the joy
6
she brought him. He also expressed
a deep desire to pet a horse one last
time before departing from this life.
With help from a friend, family was
able to bring a mini Satin Doll horse
into his home at his bedside the day
before he died. His beloved daughter,
Holly, remembers that even though
he wasn’t able to engage with others
he found the strength to reach out
his hand and pet the horse. This
experience brought tears to his eyes.
Knowing that being in his boots was
his place of comfort, Holly asked the
hospice team to help Don put them on
as he grew weaker. Family told him it
was “time to go dance with Mom”.
With “cowboy” listed as his
occupation on his death certificate,
he was able to die at home with his
boots on. Holly shared, “He enjoyed
the reminiscing, companionship, and
socialization that were available to
him in his home over the last few
months of his life.” And, “He never
felt like a patient; he felt like a
friend.”
foundations and community centers.
We are involved with Senior Law Day
and the Rocky Mountain Conference
on Aging. To honor our military
veterans, we have sponsored a tree
at the Veterans Plaza of Northern
Colorado in Fort Collins. Recently,
Pathways Hospice committed to
Adopt-A-Highway in the Windsor area
and we look forward to doing our
part to maintain the beauty of Weld
County roadways. We are involved
in the business community and are
active m embers in area Chambers
of Commerce and Be Local Northern
Colorado.
Pathways Hospice offers free
educational opportunities on a
wide range of topics to a variety of
audiences. We provide information
about end-of-life care and
bereavement services at events such
as 9 Health Fair and the City and
County Employee Health Fair. Grief
education and support is available
for schools and businesses to help
in times of distress following a loss.
We offer no-cost education to staff
at Skilled Nursing Facilities and
Assisted Living Residences and are
actively educating about end-of-life
concerns, such as advance directives
and hospice care, to congregations,
employee groups, clubs and service
organizations. Our “Living Well” and
Summer Grief Education series are
available to any interested individual.
We continue to show our great
appreciation and share a commitment
to contributing to the well-being of
our community members.