Alive Hospice, Inc.

Alive Hospice entered the Middle Tennessee landscape in November 1975, only one year after the founding of the first hospice program in the United States. At the time, and through grassroots movements, other hospices also began appearing across the country. Like the group of individuals gathered together by Alive Hospice’s founders, Dr. David Barton and Dr. John Flexner, what unified those movements were compassionate people committed to helping patients live in comfort until death occurred and families to grieve with support.

Our Mission

We provide loving care to people with life-threatening illnesses, support to their families, and service to the community in a spirit of enriching lives.

Our Vision

To be recognized as expert providers of hospice care, palliative care, management of advanced disease and grief support and to be the agency of choice for the provision of these services.

To be recognized as innovators and leaders in all aspects of end of life resources.

To influence the perceptions within the community and among medical professionals so that the end of life is accepted as a meaningful component of the human experience.

Our Values

• We believe death to be a natural part of life’s journey.
• We believe in honesty and integrity in all we say and do.
• We believe in compassion to those we serve and to each other.
• We believe in respect and dignity for all.
• We value competent knowledgeable staff motivated to achieve personal and professional growth.
• We believe in accountability to society, our community and each other.
• We believe in responsible stewardship of the resources to which we have been entrusted.
• We believe in the continuous pursuit of organizational excellence.
• We believe in teamwork to achieve our vision, mission and to support our values.

Home Care Services

The majority of Alive Hospice’s patients are served in their homes. Home hospice care services are designed to ease pain, alleviate symptoms and provide support to the patients and their caregivers. In addition to these services provided by our skilled team, we provide medical equipment and supplies, medications and caregiver training.

The Alive Hospice home care team includes:

• The team medical director (a physician) provides pain and symptom management expertise. The physician will visit patients in their home. Patients are encouraged to visit their primary physician as well. The team medical director collaborates with the patient’s physician.
• The registered nurse provides pain and symptom management and nursing care. A nurse is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the event of emergency or urgent need.
• The hospice aide/care partner assists with patients’ personal care.
• The social worker provides emotional support, counseling and assists if the family has financial needs by helping the family access community services.
• The chaplain offers spiritual support, assistance with memorial and funeral arrangements.
• The volunteer provides companionship, helps in the home and/or with errands.

Inpatient Hospice Care

The inpatient facilities allow care to be provided for patients who are unable to be cared for at home or may be experiencing a medical crisis.

Alive Monarchs

Sometimes what we can all use is a hug. And what child doesn’t have a security blanket or a comfort object? The diagnosis of a life-threatening illness is a frightening prospect at any age, not least of all for children, adolescents and their loved ones. That’s where Alive Monarchs, the pediatric care program of Alive Hospice, comes in: To be your family’s security blanket. To be present as a source of comfort and reassurance during a difficult time. Like a hug.

Alive Hospice has a long tradition of serving patients of all ages who face life-threatening illnesses. Alive Monarchs is one of the few palliative and hospice care provider for perinatal and pediatric patients in the nation. The beautiful monarch butterfly inspired the name of Alive Hospice’s pediatric program. Butterflies, which are closely associated with hospice care, signify hope, the beauty of life and the celebration of those we love.

Different levels of service:

• Perinatal care
• Pediatric palliative care
• Pediatric hospice care

Our team includes:

• Clinical director
• Team medical directors
• Nurses
• Social workers
• Chaplain
• Grief counselor
• Case manager
• Intake specialist

Palliative Care

Alive Hospice offers its Alive Palliative Care services for those who are not in need of hospice care, but who do have incurable and progressive diseases. Palliative care addresses the symptoms of a disease regardless of life expectancy, while hospice care addresses those symptoms when the patient’s life expectancy can be thought of in months rather than years. Palliative care:

• focuses on relieving suffering
• improves the quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses
• includes psychological and spiritual care
• offers support services to the patient’s family
• is appropriate for patients of any age and at any stage of advanced illness
• is covered by insurance just as any other specialty physician visit

While pain and symptom management constitute the cornerstone of palliative care, curative treatments may be provided along with palliative treatments. Some people refer to palliative care as “comfort care” because of its attention to improving quality of life and controlling symptoms. Alive Palliative Care strives to give individuals the opportunity to live their lives as actively as possible.

Volunteer

Volunteers are a vital part of the Alive Hospice team. They bring caring concern, comfort and compassion to patients and families. Volunteers can become sensitive to patients’ unique needs and are able to communicate those needs to Alive Hospice’s staff.

A variety of volunteer opportunities are available, whether you have limited time to give or have a more flexible schedule. And, if you prefer, volunteer opportunities are available beyond working with patients and families. All volunteers help support the work and purpose of Alive Hospice, regardless of their specific duties.

Alive Hospice volunteers may give of their time and talents in a variety of ways, including:

Patient Care and Support

Patient care volunteers provide companionship and emotional support to the patient and family, helping in the home and offering respite to the caregiver. Volunteers also can offer support to grieving families through telephone calls, notes or personal visits, shopping, cooking and cleaning.

Administrative/Office Support

Volunteers assist in the office by providing help with special projects, mailings and clerical support.

Special Services

Volunteers with expertise in language interpretation, music or other areas may share their specialties with patients and families. Those who are licensed professionals in massage therapy and hair styling, and specialize in pet therapy and music therapy can also give of their talents at Alive Hospice.

Speakers’ Bureau

Alive Hospice representatives are often invited to speak to worship communities, civic groups and other gatherings. Experienced volunteers assist with community education and public speaking.

Special Events

Volunteers help with memorial services, fundraising events, conferences, seminars and other special events.