OC Business Member Hospice of the Valley's Dementia Program Supports Patients and Families

As more and more families struggle with dementia, the demand for excellent end-of-life dementia care continues to grow.
Hospice of the Valley has a comprehensive program to serve persons with dementia and their families. The agency’s team emphasizes community education and focuses on non-invasive, non-pharmacological ways to maximize quality of life for patients.

The team teaches caregivers how to make meaningful connections with persons with dementia when words no longer work. Comforting touches, soothing scents, enjoyable tastes and the sounds of music are centerpieces of that work. Singing, for example, can trigger memories of melodies and lyrics in patients who otherwise cannot speak.

The team supports patients, families and caregivers wherever they live, including group homes, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities.

For patients who are not yet eligible for hospice services, the agency offers the H.O.M.E. (Helping Our Memory-impaired Elders) program to assist families dealing with challenging dementia patients.

In May, Maribeth Gallagher, the agency’s dementia program director, received the Program Manager of the Year award by the Visiting Nurse Associations of America. In March, Gallagher and the team were awarded first place in the “non-cancer” category by the International Journal of Palliative Nursing in London.

Spanish-speaking dementia patients and their families are served through the agency’s Hispanic outreach program. The agency offers dementia care services, volunteers to lend support for patients and free bereavement support groups.

For more information, please call 602.530.6900 or visit hov.org