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The Importance of Caregiver Support
Dwight Wilson, Executive Director
Over the past several months, individuals receiving hospice care are waiting longer and are closer to the end of their lives when they come to Celia’s House. We have seen a significant increase in our residents' needs, as many require feeding and more help with personal needs. In March, we lost 16 beloved residents, the highest number in one month since we opened.
Caring for and losing someone on hospice has profound cumulative effects on caregivers, whether they are a family member, a loved one, or a caregiver at Celia’s House. All too often, the needs of caregivers are considered secondary to those we care for, even at the expense of their health. It is essential that we acknowledge the challenges of caregiving and prioritize self-care.
At our organization, we believe that caring for our caregivers is equally important as caring for those who are dying. At Celia’s House, we provide up to 10 hours a month of in-house therapy to our staff in addition to an Employee Assistance Program. We also have a vibrant spiritual care support team available to residents, families, and staff on an ongoing basis.
As we focus on organizational health, we are midway through our spring appeal and halfway to reaching our $250,000 goal. Your support allows us to properly care for our dying residents and their families, as well as our caregivers, staff, and volunteers. These are challenging times, and your generosity ensures that we can continue our vital service to our community.
I will end by encouraging everyone to take care of themselves.
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