Hospice Southeastern Connecticut has provided quality end-of-life care to over 9,000 patients and support to their families since 1985.
In 1986, the agency served 37 patients with one person on staff and in 2011 they served 637 patients with 66 people on staff.
“We grow where we are planted”, explains Carol Mahier, executive director, “as New London County’s nonprofit community based hospice of choice, our team of hospice physicians, nurses, counseling staff, chaplains, hospice aides, volunteers and support staff are devoted to providing quality care for people with life-limiting illnesses and to support their loved ones in their role as caregivers. With the community’s continued support, we look forward to expanding our services to meet the growing need for end of life care and bereavement services in New London County.”
Hospice Southeastern Connecticut provides each patient and their family with their own team of experts who focus on enhancing quality of life and promoting well-being.
Nurses provide expert symptom management to patients and help caregivers feel confident in providing care for their loved ones. The counseling staff of social workers, bereavement counselors, chaplains and an art therapist assist patients and families to identify their psychosocial needs and to find appropriate support as needed.
Social workers provide additional support by ensuring that the patient's end of life wishes are documented and known; contacting local agencies and community resources that may be of help to patients and families; assisting with insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid paperwork and bridging family gaps to bring loved ones together whenever possible. Hospice aides diligently and compassionately provide personal care to patients as needed.
Hospice Southeastern Connecticut is fortunate to have over 140 trained volunteers who give their time and efforts in support of this agency. Patients and families benefit from volunteers who provide companionship to the patients and respite to caregivers.
For patients who enjoy the companionship of our four-legged friends, the pet therapy volunteers and 14 certified therapy dogs are there to visit with patients and their families. Licensed complementary therapists who can provide massage, reiki, reflexology and healing touch therapies are available as needed in conjunction with the care provided by their nurse.
Volunteers also assist with delivering medical supplies to patients and transporting patients to and from appointments when their loved ones are unable to do so.
Hospice Southeastern Connecticut is committed to ensuring that everyone in New London County has access to quality end of life care and bereavement support. The agency provides hospice services to anyone regardless of age, illness or inability to pay for services.
Additionally, they provide bereavement services free of charge to anyone at any age regardless of whether their loved one received hospice care. Hospice Southeastern Connecticut has been able to care for over 9,000 patients because of the continued support of our community.
