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Home Health & Hospice
Cheryl Keniston, RN, Executive Director
415 N. Fairview
Burns, OR 97720
Phone: 541-573-8360
FAX: 541-573-8389
Email: cherylk1@centurytel.net
Hello from all of us at Harney County Home Health
& Hospice!
The hospice philosophy
acknowledges that dying is a part of the normal process of living. It focuses
upon filling the person’s last days with as much physical, psychological and
spiritual comfort as possible. The hospice philosophy embodies the belief that
quality of life and dignity are important human rights---throughout a person’s
entire lifetime.” National Hospice Association
Harney
County Hospice came into existence in December 1992, after a year of hard work
organizing and certifying the program. Strong support from the entire community
is the reason we were able to start this service, and that support allows us to
continue this program for Harney County. Being the smallest hospice in the
nation brings unique challenges. The entire community has been generous with
donations. The businesses have been willing to cooperate in any way they can.
The medical community –all of them from the Doctors, nurses, hospital and clinic
staff, their office personnel, volunteers, pharmacies, and medical equipment
companies have all embraced hospice, and assisted in many ways, which makes our
hospice successful. Their support makes our work highly valued, and coupled with
the support of the community our job is much easier to do. The hospice staff is
on call 24 hours a day-- seven days a week for hospice patients and their
families; to answer questions, or for a nurse’s visit to deal with the problems
that may arise. Hospice is a personal and rewarding experience for all involved,
and we often become friends of both patient and family members. What a great
gift patients and their families give when they allow us to assist them with
their care, and to be there in their home at the time of their death. The grief
that surrounds the death of each patient affects our hospice members personally.
The continued support of the community makes our job much easier, and helps us
walk through our grief. There is no way to truly express how much your support
is appreciated, except to say that your ongoing participation and acceptance is
welcomed, valued and respected.
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