Hospice of Kitsap County Celebrates Opening of New 15- Room Inpatient Hospice Care Center:  Increasing Access to Quality End-of-Life Care

"A Peaceful, Home-like Feeling"

The Hospice Care Center is not a hospital, nursing home, assisted living community, or rehabilitation facility.  It is a warm, home-like setting where patients are able to live their last days, weeks or months fully, cherishing each day and saying good-bye to their loved ones with peace and dignity.  At the same time, expert medical resources ensure the highest possible level of care.

The building has been designed to create a peaceful, home-like feeling. Each private patient room features a kitchenette with a refrigerator, sink, microwave, toaster and coffee maker.  The rooms are large enough for friends or family members to stay overnight if they choose.  A flat screen TV, DVD, and a radio with an Ipod docking station are available as sources of entertainment.  There is a memory board in each room, giving our patients a special place to display personal photographs and cards.  The Care Center also features a chapel/meditation room, beautiful outdoor areas and a private family counseling area.

At the care center you and your family will feel right at home.  Have a meal in the family dining room, or have it in the privacy of your own room.  Sit and watch the day go by from the courtyard.  Play a game of cribbage in the living room.  Sit, contemplate, meditate or pray in the chapel/meditation room   Children can play in a room designed especially for them, where they can watch TV, play a card or board game or read a book.

"It's part of our mission to make quality hospice care available to all who need it. This is one more way of doing that," said Hospice of Kitsap County Executive Director, Jim Pledger.  "It's important as a society that we embrace the dying population and provide helpful services such as hospice care. Hospice of Kitsap County is on a mission to provide the best possible hospice service. "

While providing care in the home always has been, and will continue to be the main focus of Hospice of Kitsap County, we are excited to be able to fulfill such a large need in our community with its first Hospice Care Center. Before now, those who needed end-of-life care outside the home setting had limited options. These individuals have intensive needs for emotional and spiritual support, as well as for medical and nursing care; the Hospice Care Center is specifically designed for these purposes. 

Visiting Hours

Family, friends, children and pets are welcome anytime.

Meals

Patient meals are provided 3 times a day and any time requested.  Family may bring in meals and favorite food items for patients at any time.  Guests can always find a beverage or snack available in the dining room.

Personal Items

Hospice of Kitsap County cannot assume responsibility for valuables of any kind (i.e., money, credit cards, checkbook, jewelry), so it is suggested these items be left at home.  We encourage patients to bring their own comfortable clothing, and special items such as pictures, favorite books, DVD's, CD's, and comfort items.

Hospice Care Center Team

Our team approach to care includes nurses, home health aides, chaplains, social workers, volunteers and physicians.  Nursing care is provided 24 hours a day by RN's and home health aides.  Patient and family support and counseling is provided by our chaplains and social workers and volunteers receive specialized training to assist with the "extra added touch" for our patients and families.  All of our staff has received training and education in the management of end of life issues such as pain management and grief and loss issues.  And the door is always open for your personal physician to care for you at the Care Center.  

Admission to the Care Center

Since we began caring for our first client in 1979, Hospice of Kitsap County has worked hard to keep each individual in whatever setting they call home, be that a house, an apartment, a nursing home or somewhere else.  We do this because we know home is where most people want to spend their final days.  Unfortunately, staying at home isn't always an option.  Perhaps managing your pain and symptoms at home is too difficult or impractical for your caregiver.  Maybe you don't have someone to help care for you, or you are a widow with grown children scattered across the country.  If finances are an issue, it may be impossible for your spouse to quit their job to be your full-time caregiver. 

All patients must be eligible for the Hospice benefit.  Eligibility is determined by the patient's physician and the Hospice Interdisciplinary Team.  Generally, a Hospice Nurse will evaluate the patient's individual needs and situation to help determine which services provided by Hospice are necessary and in the best interest of the patient and family.  Contact us at 360-698-4611 for a referral.   We will work to get you the care you need, in the setting that is right for you, so you can have the comfort, dignity, and peace of mind you deserve.

There are three "levels of care" provided at the Hospice Care Center with varying degrees of insurance coverage.  While  most costs are paid for by Medicare, Medicaid and other providers, there may be a Room and Board cost that is the responsibility of the patient and family.  Benefit coverage is reviewed with the patient and family upon consideration for admission into the Hospice Program and the Care Center.  Financial counseling is available for insurance questions and concerns.  Hospice of Kitsap County is our area's only not-for-profit hospice organization.  Thanks to donations from individuals and businesses, we are able to care for anyone who needs hospice care, not just those who can afford it.  Thanks to the generosity of our community, this Care Center will have an impact on our community's families for generations to come.

Centrally Located

Located at 570 Lebo Boulevard in Bremerton, your family and friends will have near-by access to the freeway, and will find hotels and restaurants in the neighborhood.  Click here for driving directions from mapquest.

Volunteering

Currently we are seeking volunteers to support the Hospice Care Center staff with reception, data entry, and light office duties.  Phone and computer experience are helpful, but not necessary.  We are also looking for volunteers to assist with housekeeping, gardening, and the cookie brigade.

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, or have a special talent to share with the patients and families at the Care Center, please call Christy Cathcart at (360) 698-4611.

Find Out More

Hospice of Kitsap County's Care Center is a new and important option for dying individuals who cannot be cared for at home, providing a level of care that is so important during the last days, weeks, or months of life.  At this time when illness is most acute, the Care Center setting allows staff to assist individuals around the clock, controlling pain and other symptoms, while also attending to loved ones' needs for support and information.

To learn more about the Hospice of Kitsap County Care Center, contact Valerie Youngren, Deputy Executive Director at 360-698-4611.

Commemorative Naming Opportunities

Care Center (available). .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,000,000.00

Patient rooms (15 available). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . $50,000.00

Living Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rotary Club of Silverdale

Dining Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C. Keith Birkenfeld Memorial Trust

Family Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C. Keith Birkenfeld Memorial Trust

Meditation Room/Chapel . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ben B. Cheney Foundation, Tacoma WA in memory of Loren Hoffman

Kitchen. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Frances C. Sutton

Family/Staff Meeting Room. . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Ajax Foundation, in honor of Linda Golden

Nurses station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . .The Jeu Family in memory of Chuck Jeu

Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. & Mrs. DuPen in memory of James B. & Anna M. Thomas

Generator .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .Bainbridge Island Rotary Club

Staff Break Room. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . In memory of Michael Brandewie

Entry Circle .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James Short in memory of Sue Short

Vestibule .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larson Casteel Company Landscape Architecture in memory of Larry Larson

Furnishings for five patient rooms were provided by Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound

In-Kind Donations

Hospice of Kitsap County also gratefully acknowledges the kind support and generosity of the following local businesses and individuals whose generous gifts in-kind made the Hospice Care Center a reality for our community:

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