Scotts Valley – Hospice of Santa Cruz County (HSCC) plans to open a Center for End-of-Life Care in Watsonville in early March 2013. Along with the organization’s headquarters in Scotts Valley, the additional location will increase their capacity to serve the growing need for end-of-life care in our community.
The opening of the additional location coincides with the organization’s 35th year of service. “We have been honored to serve patients and their families for 35 years,” said Michael Milward, chief executive officer, Hospice of Santa Cruz County. “Because our community has trusted us to care for their loved ones at this profound time of life, we have seen a dramatic increase in our daily patient census. The opening of our new Center for End-of-Life Care an important step in ensuring that all members of our community have access to the highest quality end-of-life care,” Milward added.
In the last four years, HSCC has seen a 61% increase in daily patient census as well as a 55% increase in staffing to meet the demand for hospice care. Thirty-two percent of the patients served by HSCC live in the southern part of our county.
HSCC’s new Center for End of Life Care will serve as a home base for a team of nurses, physicians, social workers, hospice aides, chaplains, clinical team leaders and volunteers who provide expert, culturally sensitive care to patients and their families. This team will provide in-home and facility-based care for those living in Aptos, La Selva Beach, Watsonville, Pajaro Valley and the surrounding area. The center will also provide on-site grief support services for adults, teens and children, transitional care for those not ready or yet eligible for hospice care, trainings for volunteers, and ongoing educational events for the community.
“Opening HSCC’s Center for End-of-Life Care is a natural progression of our growing services. It’s provides the opportunity to be more visibly present in our community and to really be neighbors with those we serve,” said Milward.
Donna Ramos was one of the founding nurses who formed The Caring Project in 1978. Having been a member of the Pajaro Valley community for 35 years and having spent most of her healthcare career in Watsonville, Donna is very excited about the opening of HSCC’s second location in Watsonville. She sees the opening of the new HSCC Center for End-of-Life Care in Watsonville as emblematic of the same grassroots qualities that drew her to hospice decades ago.
“I just love the Watsonville community – the family values, the sense of diversity, the warmth of the people. Because there is such a community spirit there, really being present in Watsonville makes all the difference,” says Donna. “ Hospice of Santa Cruz County is such a hands-on organization. I’m so glad that all the wonderful services and programs will be right there for people to benefit from in an even more direct way.”
Hospice of Santa Cruz County (HSCC) is the oldest and only non-profit hospice serving Santa Cruz and northern Monterey counties. Since 1978, HSCC has cared for more than 14,000 individuals facing serious illness as well as their families. The care that HSCC provides helps patients live more fully at the end of life by providing pain and symptom management, and support for both the patient and family, enhancing dignity and quality of life.
HSCC is seeking funding to help offset the costs of the center. As a non-profit, HSCC often relies on the generous support of the communities they serve. The cost to build out the center is $600,000. Though some funds have already been raised, fundraising efforts continue and naming opportunities within the new facility are available. For more information on donating, visit www.hospicesantacruz.org or call Kathleen Hughes, Director of Development at 430.3033.
The HSCC Patient Care Team. From left to right:
Rose Arellano, Tree Dunbar, Areliss Cruz, Dr. Lisa Segnitz, Laurie Beardon, Emily Myrow, Patti Perez, Tom Sanguino, Kathryn Paez, Lupita Mock, Cynthia Elliott, Jori Leslie, Nina Garcia