 In June 2006, Boone County Hospital officially opened the Family and Friends Patient Comfort Rooms—two new hospice rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floor of the hospital.
“The addition of the two hospice rooms is exciting for the hospital and the Boone community,” says Sara Behn, Boone County Hospital Foundation Director. “Prior to the opening of the rooms, patients had to travel to Ames or Des Moines to use a similar facility. Now patients can stay close to home. Family members can be as close as possible to their loved ones.”
When the goal of medical care changes from active treatment to comfort care, hospice services meet the needs of the patient and the family. Hospice is a philosophy of care that supports a broad spectrum of services. The staff at Boone County Hospital believe that when caring for the physical, emotional, spiritual, social and financial needs of a dying person and his/her family, the final days of life can be lived with compassion, dignity and respect.
The beautiful Patient Comfort Rooms were designed with the patient and family in mind. Not only is there state-of-the-art equipment and comfortable living space for the patient, but there is room for family and friends as well. Each room includes a sitting area with a sleeper sofa, recliner/lift chair, a meal/preparation area, a dining and game table, and a desk equipped with phone and internet services.
Planning for the rooms began in early 2005; the completion of the rennovation was in June 2006. Boone County Hospital, the Boone County Hospital Foundation and Hospice of Central Iowa partnered together to raise $225,000. “The community saw the need for state-of-the-art hospice rooms and responded open-heartedly,” says Sara. “The funds raised will be used for nursing education, end-of-life training and room upkeep.”
“Because of the new rooms, Boone County Hospital can now provide a comfortable environment for families and friends to remain close, allowing patients to live their remaining time to the fullest with as many happy memories as possible,” says Sara. When the rooms are not in use for hospice patients, they will meet a great need for a variety of other patients and their families needing additional accommodations.
To become eligible for hospice care, an individual must be diagnosed with a life-limiting illness by his or her physician. A life-limiting illness is one in which the individual's life expectancy is more likely to be months or weeks rather than years.
If you would like to learn more about the Family and Friends Patient Comfort Rooms or would like to make a donation to the Boone County Hospital Foundation, please contact Sara Behn at (515) 433-8470.
Pictured: Boone County Hospital Foundation Director Sara Behn in on of the Hospice Rooms.
|