A Closer Look at the Hospice of Humboldt

The Hospice of Humboldt has served the community for 44 years, helping families with their loved ones’ end-of-life journey.

“When a patient enrolls in hospice, we have just a whole team that comes out and provides support for both the patient and their families,” Diane Keating, C.E.O. of Hospice of Humboldt said. “Our team consists of physicians, nurse practitioners, case managing nurses, social workers, spiritual caregivers, volunteers, home health aides. just a whole team that really helps patients and families go through this challenging end of life journey.”

One unique part of this rural hospice is their hospice house, something made possible by community donations.  

“It’s a great benefit for patients that have challenges that can’t be managed at home.those challenges may be pain control issues that can’t be managed […] maybe there’s families that are just so exhausted from taking care of family patients and end of lives that they just really need a break,” Keating said. “Words really can’t describe it, I mean, the memories that we’re making for families are not only on the home care side and the palliative care side, but when patients come  into the house, it really lets, you know, wives be wives, husbands be husbands, daughters be daughters–instead of caregivers.” 

For families who aren’t quite ready for hospice or don’t qualify yet and need additional support in their household, the Hospice of Humboldt launched a palliative care program. 

“Palliative care, we think of  an extra layer on top of everything else that’s going on, a layer of support, “Karen Ayers, the Clinical Director of Palliative Care, said.  “You name it, we can do it […] we try to help out in a very holistic fashion, so some of the medical kinds of things that might be going on, understanding treatments and getting to treatments and and making decisions about whether to undergo particular treatments.”

The community based non-profit thrives on teamwork in their facility and are always looking for volunteers to join and help families live comfortably during tough times.