I
HOSPICE CARES FOR MORE THAN THE PATIENT
magine being a nurse, and having those
under your care never get better, no
matter what you do.
It sounds like the hardest job in the world.
Yet the staff at Richmond County Hospice,
who provide care to about 60 terminally-ill
patients on any given day, don’t see their jobs
as something negative, rather they see it as a
calling.
“We care for a lot more than just the patient,”
explained Executive Director and CEO
Kristina Leyden. “Often, the patient is stable.
They’ve accepted their reality. It’s the family
members that are in need of support.”
So that’s exactly what Leyden and her staff
does: It cares for everyone affected by a
terminal illness, be it a daughter in preschool,
or a senior spouse. “The whole family is our
patient,” said Leydon.
And where other hospice organizations
do what is minimally required by the
government for Medicaid eligibility, the
Richmond County Hospice team takes the
opposite tack. “We take it above and beyond
normal care,” explained Jessica Mims,
Director of Family Services at the hospice.
“We do everything we can to help the patient
have the highest possible quality of life.”
And sometimes that takes some creative
thinking, such as one program that
gives family caregivers a break from the
demanding daily duties involved with caring
for a terminal patient.
“We have a Respite Care Program that allows
the patient to come here for up to five nights,”
said Mims. “It allows those at home a break,
maybe just to go out and see a movie or enjoy
a meal at a restaurant.”
Of course, one of the main purposes of
hospice continues to be helping the patient be
where he or she is most comfortable - in their
home. And home doesn’t necessarily have to
be in a house. The hospice cares for patients
in nursing homes, assisted care facilities or
wherever a patient calls home.
Another program created by Richmond
County Hospice is a Children’s Bereavement
Camp where 5 to 12-year-old kids can talk
about and understand the grief they are going
through due to the loss of a parent or loved
one.
One of the most popular services is the
hospice’s version of Make a Wish, where staff
makes arrangements for patients to enjoy one
special event of their choosing, which can be
anything from a day at the casino to a family
dinner at a favorite restaurant.
“Our community support is fantastic,” said
Leyden, adding that over 750 people attended
last year’s Dancing with The Stars, which is
held every September.
Other fundraisers include bicycling races and
rides and the Cool Cars for a Cause Car Show
which will happen on March 28.
For more information on Richmond County
Hospice, contact Leyden or Mims at 910-817-
2741 or stop by their facilities located at 119
US Highway 1 North in Rockingham.
www.richmondcountyhospice.com
Serving people in Richmond, Anson,
Montgomery, Moore, and Scotland counties.
Excellence is our
standard
• Only non-profit hospice located in
Richmond County
• Hospice Haven General Inpatient Center
• Home Visits by our Hospice Physician
• After Hour calls answered and home visits by
our hospice nurses
• Leading provider of hospice services in
Richmond County
• Hospice Honors Award recipient for the
past four years
February-March 2020 • 69