On July 1, 1985, the existing hospice program at Parkview Episcopal Medical Center was phased out and the freestanding, not-for-profit Sangre de Cristo Hospice began operations. On March 15, 1995, St. Thomas Moore Hospice in Florence merged with Sangre de Cristo Hospice as a satellite, operating as Sangre de Cristo Hospice West. In March of 2004, the organizations in-patient facility, Hospice House, located in Pueblo, began operations. In the summer of 2007, the service area expanded to service Trinidad and Walsenburg. In the spring of 2008, Sangre opened doors to a new in-patient facility. We have since grown to the East with an office and staff that provide hospice services to locations that reach far beyond La Junta.On July 9, 2018, SDCCC purchased a home health agency to better serve the patients of Southern Colorado, starting out small, but quickly expanded that single branch office to serve the Trinidad and Walsenburg areas that December 2018.While the mission remains the same, a new name and location signaled the start of a new era for Sangre de Cristo Hospice and Palliative Care in November 2019.The rebranding as Sangre de Cristo Community Care (hospice, palliative, home health) corresponds to the upcoming relocation of the administration offices currently occupying separate South Side buildings to a 16,000-square-foot, two-story building at 1920 Valley Drive.In 2020, SDCCC expanded coverage west and applied to serve the additional counties going west to match the Hospice footprint. SDCCC started servicing those counties in August 2020 out of the La Junta parent office while awaiting approval of the branch license in Caon City. On October 19, 2022, SDCCC was finally approved to have a brand office in Caon City, which allows it to better advertise and serve all the areas for home health.With hospice support in these communities, Sangre de Cristo Community Care has established offices and staff who continue to provide quality of life and dignity to those who we extend compassionate care during the difficulties that results with end of life.Sangre de Cristo Community Care is not aligned with not a part of any other organization. It was established to serve all terminally ill patients and their families without regard to age, race, religion, color, sex, marital status, national origin, handicap, sexual orientation, veteran status, and regardless of the patients place of residence in the service area.The primary focus of the program is to allow the patient to remain in his or her own home among family and in familiar surroundings. However, when this is not possible, the hospice staff will provide their entire range of services in a hospital, extended care facility or at our in-patient facility, Joni Fair Hospice House.

Growing up in Southern Colorado, every summer my grandparents would pick up me and my siblings for a trip to their cabin in Creede. My grandfather is a World War II veteran whose birthday just happens to fall on July 6, so wed celebrate the country he loves and his birthday all in the same week. This year, my grandfather turned 97 years old. He says his years at the cabin are over, although hed like to make one more trip and catch one more trout.Recently while at work, I received a text message from a neighbor, saying my grandfather had been taken to the emergency room in an ambulance. He had felt dizzy for many days, but that day was worse than ever and as my aunt went over to visit, she decided to call 911. After a day full of tests and no new diagnosis, my grandfather was sent home with a follow-up appointment with his cardiologist. If you knew my grandfather, youd know that his one goal for the last years of life is to stay at home. Thats probably why he chose his oldest granddaughter, who works in hospice, to be his medical durable power of attorney. As grandpas MDPOA, my goals are the same as his - to keep him in the home he loves as long as it is safe for him to be there.While my grandfather, even at 97, is not sick enough to qualify for hospice care, he benefits from our palliative care team, which visits him at home. Being a disabled veteran, my grandfather qualifies for Veterans Administration benefits that include payment for palliative care services. Each week, his nurse visits him and checks his vitals, fills his medication planner and answers any health questions he has.The palliative care program has truly helped keep my grandfather independent. At some point, my grandfather will be within the last six months of his life and he can be enrolled in hospice care. At that time, he will have an even larger team of clinicians coming into his home and meeting his needs.\ I am hoping that my grandfather gets his wish and gets to pass away in the home he loves surrounded by his large family who loves him. If he has to be moved to a facility, I am comfortable knowing the same great hospice care he receives at home can follow him to the facility. Knowing what I do about the end of life, I am very aware that my grandfather is close to needing hospice services. I am familiar with the exceptional level of care he will receive and how much easier things will be for my 95-year-old grandmother, who is his primary caregiver. More than that, I know he will be treated with the dignity at the end of his life which is so important to him.After seeing firsthand how crucial hospice and palliative care services can be for a person, I encourage everyone to become more familiar with the hospice Medicare benefit. Hospice care is available to anyone who has Medicare part A with zero deductibles or out of pocket expenses, meaning it can benefit everybody, regardless of the ability to pay.While a trip to the cabin did not happen this July, grandpas birthday was celebrated on my parents back porch with our whole family along to take part in the celebration. As I watched my grandfather celebrate the milestone of his 97th birthday, I saw a boy heading off to war and coming back disabled. I saw a Southeastern Colorado farmer who worked so hard his entire life. I saw a grandpa who taught his grandchildren to fish and so much more.I also saw an elderly veteran whose options, health, and control are slipping away from him. While there is uncertainty in the end, I am so thankful for the care he is guaranteed through the hospice Medicare benefit.I will always want the best end-of-life care for my grandpa, and you should settle for nothing less for yours.  Editors Note: Editors Note: This article was submitted by Tarrah Lowry. Tarrah is the President and CEO of Sangre de Cristo Hospice & Palliative Care and may be reached at 719-542-0032 or by email at Tarrah.lowry@socohospice.org

Few people know service and sacrifice quite like veterans, and we are committed to caring for them with specialized care, honor, and support.When veterans are living with an illness and approaching the end of life, we are here to serve them with expert care, understanding, and compassion. Our teams support veterans personal goals and needs, including any type of suffering from their time in the military or service-connected conditions. The focus is to achieve comfort and resolution for veterans so they can live and pass on peacefully. Families of veterans also receive support, guidance with health care decision making, and connection to beneficial resources.We Honor VeteransWe have achieved Level Four Partner of the We Honor Veterans program. We Honor Veterans is a National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization initiative in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We are committed to the mission of respectful inquiry, compassionate listening, and grateful acknowledgment of the veterans we serve. Working with the VA, veteran service organizations, and other community partners, we are able to provide many specialized programs and services that honor and support veterans. For more information, please call 719-542-0032.

Sangre de Cristo Hospice & Palliative Care bills directly to Medicare, Medicaid, and/or private insurance. Your insurance usually covers 100 percent of all aspects of hospice care including medications, care visits, supplies, and equipment related to the illness.Medicare Hospice Care Part A will pay for Services Related to the Diagnosed Illness:Doctor and nursing careDrugs for pain managementCounseling services for patient and family13-months of grief care for familyMedical Supplies Related to the Diagnosed Illness:Hospital beds and routine mattress changesCanes, crutches, and walkersLiftsShower/bath chairsBedside commodesCatheters, syringes, dressings, and latex glovesIncontinence suppliesSangre de Cristo Hospice & Palliative care is a non-profit organization committed to serving the needs of the community. If a patient does not have health insurance coverage, we will provide services based on need, regardless of ones ability to pay.

Volunteers are the heart and inspiration of our mission. As a Sangre volunteer, you help support many people and their families in our communities live to the fullest with comfort and healing.Whether you want to support those we care for and their loved ones, assist in our offices, or lend a hand in another essential role, we know you will find a rewarding experience with our volunteer family. Many opportunities are available for adults, high school teens ages 14-18, and community groups at many times and locations. Join us today.Volunteer OpportunitiesDirect Patient Care  Provides a range of companionship and support to patients and caregivers at the bedside.Veterans Serving Veterans  No one understands the unique needs of our veterans better than active or retired military personnel.Administrative/Office Support  Supports the important office operations of the program.Spiritual Support  Engages patients in familiar activities that provide spiritual comfort.Memory Bears  Create a personalized stuffed bear from a loved ones clothing for the family to cherish.Complementary Therapies  Part of a program that provides comfort and care to patients and caregivers, including music companion.Bereavement Companion  Assists our bereavement team in connecting patients/family members with appropriate resources.To become a volunteer, you must be available to participate in initial Sangre volunteer training as well as basic orientation. Additional volunteer trainings are available if needed. Volunteer selection begins with an application and interview in which potential volunteers may express their personal goals, availability, interests, and talents. Of course, our volunteers are carefully screened through a criminal background check, motor vehicle report, and personal references. Call today for more information 719-542-0032.