Who We Are

Community Hospice is a nonprofit organization that has served residents in the Greater San Joaquin Valley since 1979. Community Hospice offers dignified and compassionate medical, spiritual, psychological and emotional care. Programs include, community-based palliative care, hospice, grief support services, school-based grief support, crisis response, Camp Erin of the Central Valley, mental health support program and more. Utilizing an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, volunteers, and others, Community Hospice is committed to providing compassionate and quality care to patients and their families.

Our Mission

The mission of Community Hospice is to embrace individuals and families facing life-changing journeys, enhancing quality of life for all.

Key Facts

• Community Hospice served 1,563 palliative care and hospice patients and their families in 2021.
• Over 1,016 community members received much-needed bereavement and grief support by Community Hospice bereavement staff in 2021. Support is offered both in-person as well as through virtual platforms to meet the needs of our community.
• Our Crisis Response Team responded to seven community crisis calls providing support to 175 children and 68 adults.
• Community Hospice launched a community grief and mental health program called Hope Counseling in 2021. To learn more about counseling services visit hospiceheart.org/hope-counseling/.
• Camp Erin of the Central Valley, a grief camp for children and teens ages 6-17, provides a unique opportunity for youth to increase hope, enhance self-esteem and especially learn they are not alone. The fun environment of camp is combined with grief activities that give campers a chance to bond with peers, build friendships with others who share similar situations, express their feelings, and honor their loved ones. To learn more visit, camperincentralvalley.org.
• Community Hospice’s Durable Medical Equipment division delivers medical equipment such as beds, commodes and wheelchairs to patients.
• Community Hospice employs over 280 staff, including physicians, nurses, home health aides, social workers, chaplains, dietitians and bereavement specialists as well as many administrative staff.
• Community Hospice is supported by more than 400 active volunteers that give of their time and talent as patient/family visitors, Hope Chest Thrift Store workers, marketing and public relations, finance, fundraising, Board leadership and general office duties support.
• Community Hospice operates seven Hope Chest Thrift Stores across the Central Valley, with 100% of proceeds supporting patient care. For more information about the Hope Chest Thrift Stores, visit hopechestthrift.org.
• The Community Hospice Automotive Division accepts vehicles for donation, with 100% of proceeds supporting patient care.
• Fundraising support for Community Hospice is necessary to meet the cost of patient care. Donations come from several sources, including community donations made through the Community Hospice Foundation. For additional information about the Community Hospice Foundation or to make a donation, visit give.hospiceheart.org.
• The Friends of Community Hospice, an auxiliary special events fundraising group, has supported Community Hospice since 1982.

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Facts and Figures, 2021 Edition.

• 1.61 million Medicare beneficiaries who died were enrolled in hospice care for one day or more in 2019. This is a 3.9 percent increase from 2018.
• 63% of Medicare decedents ages 85 years and older utilized the Medicare hospice benefit.
• Utilization of the hospice benefit remains slightly higher among individuals enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans than among traditional Medicare users, while the trendline for hospice usage continues to increase in both groups. MA enrollees who utilized the hospice benefit rose from 51.1 percent in 2015 to 53.2 percent in 2019. During the same period, traditional Medicare beneficiaries utilizing the hospice benefit rose from 47.6 percent of Medicare decedents in 2015 to 50.7 percent in 2019.
• Of all Medicare decedents in 2019, 51.6 percent received one day or more of hospice care and were enrolled in
  hospice at the time of death.
• In 2019 there was continued growth in the number of Medicare hospice patients with non-cancer diagnoses, including a principal diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, dementia, or Parkinson’s, which represented more than four times the number of patients who had cancer.
• Routine Home Care accounted for 98.3 percent of days of care provided. This includes care provided in the patient’s own home, an assisted living facility, nursing home, or other congregate living facility.
• The average length-of-stay for Medicare hospice patients nationally is 92.6 days.
• The median length-of-stay for Medicare hospice patients nationally is 18 days.

*Source: National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Facts and Figures 2021 Edition

Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House

Dedicated in June 2004, the 20,000-square-foot Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House provides an option for our patients. Located in Hughson, CA, the Hospice House includes 16 private patient rooms with adjoining patios for home-like comfort, a chapel, family kitchen and kids’ activity room and laundry. The grounds include meandering paths that lead past serene water features, a rose promenade and meditation areas.

The Alexander Cohen Hospice House cared for its first patient in March 2005. Truly a community-wide effort, the Hospice House was built to accommodate patients whose pain and symptoms cannot be managed at home. The facility provides a home-like setting for hospice patients, allowing them and their caregivers comfort and peace-of-mind while maintaining round-the-clock nursing care.

The Hospice House capital campaign began when John and June Rogers offered the land and a $3 million challenge grant to help build a much-needed hospice facility in the greater Central Valley. The campaign was launched March 2001 and $4.1 million was raised thanks to the generosity of Community Hospice board members, amazing and committed volunteers, caring staff, and numerous individuals who made donations. The campaign culminated December 2001 with a $1.1 million donation by Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Cohen.

Innovative and Unique Programs

Community Hospice Pediatric Care Program was formalized in 2009 to provide compassionate care and support for children facing a serious illness. At the heart of the program is a family-centered supportive healthcare for neonatal infants, babies, toddlers, children and teens. The program provides comfort and support not only to the child but to the family as well, focusing on physical comfort, psycho-social issues and bereavement.

Community Connections, Your Bridge to Resources

Community Connections is a free virtual webinar series created to provide resources and support for aging loved ones. This monthly workshop focuses on topics such as Online Safe Practice and Security, Medicare Open Enrollment, and more. Free caregiver toolkits with safety assessments and local resources are also available. Recordings of all webinars are available on the Community Hospice YouTube Channel. To learn more visit, hospiceheart.org/education/community-connections/.

Media Contact
Kristin Mostowski, Director of Public Relations
kristin.mostowski@hospiceheart.org
(209) 578-6301