Family caregivers often feel alone and unsupported in their role. One hospice organization is spreading a wide safety-net of virtual and hands-on hospice care options available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, but its most unique feature focuses on the 128 evening, night, and weekend hours each week.

At a Northwest Arkansas Hospital, Mom and Dad delivered a beautiful baby amid the chaos of COVID19. Nothing out of the ordinary, ten fingers and ten toes were counted, perfect in every way. Strict new rules are in place to keep everyone safe. Dad was the only one allowed with Mom during labor and delivery.

We plan for trips, holidays and birthdays, but often ignore a plan for one of the most impactful stages of our lives. Because every life will end, one of the most important conversations we can have is about our plans for the care we want to receive on our end of life journey. Often this conversation is with a healthcare provider and close family.

Hospice Chaplains are a rare breed of clergy, specially trained to work in the clinical setting, caring for the spiritual and emotional needs of hospice and palliative patients, and their families. Their role is so important that Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires all hospice organizations which receive federal reimbursements employ a Hospice Chaplain.