If you knew you had just a few months left to laugh, love and live, how would you choose to spend your final days or weeks? For some faced with a terminal illness, the choice is clear—comfortably and surrounded by loved ones, which means accepting hospice care.
What services does Hospice provide?
When that decision is made—to transfer from curative care to comfort care—and Hospice of the Red River Valley becomes involved, the meaningful work of supporting that person’s end-of-life wishes takes form. A detailed, patient-specific plan of care is designed by a team of hospice care specialists, including a registered nurse (RN), licensed social worker, chaplain and volunteer coordinator. All services, equipment and medication related to the individual’s terminal diagnosis become a part of the compassionate, end-of-life care the person deserves.
In addition to caring for each patient, Hospice supports the patient’s family members through caregiver education—teaching caregivers how to provide direct care for their loved ones—and grief support services for up to 13 months after a death. Grief support is provided based on each person’s individual comfort level and may include one-on-one visits, phone calls and educational materials. Hospice of the Red River Valley also offers support groups open to the communities we serve.
Interesting Facts from 2017:
- 1,733 patients served
- 282 patients served daily, on average
- More than half of our patients live in a long-term care facility
- More than half of our patients have a diagnosis other than cancer
Why does it matter?
We need you. While some of our services are reimbursed through Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance, Hospice of the Red River Valley cares for anyone who meets the medical guidelines for care, regardless of insurance coverage, ability to pay or distance from a major city. As a not-for-profit organization serving more than 30 counties in North Dakota and Minnesota, patients are cared for in the setting of their choice—wherever they call home, including private residences, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and hospitals.
In 2017, we cared for an average of 282 patients each day—many of whom resided in rural areas. Donations and community support make our work possible—ensuring everyone who qualifies for hospice has access to care that can lead to a more comfortable life and more moments with loved ones. Deliberate acts of generosity also provide much needed support for families during their most difficult times.
Every gift, your gift—no matter its size or form—provides immeasurable support for the care and aid of patients and their families throughout our service region, helping each person live the last months and weeks to the fullest surrounded by those who matter most.
How can I help?
Contributions to Hospice of the Red River Valley come in many forms, and all gifts to Hospice of the Red River Valley are tax deductible, as determined by the law.
There are so many types of gifts you can give:
- Memorial or tribute gifts
- One-time gift or monthly gifts
- Designate Hospice of the Red River Valley as a beneficiary of your will, IRA or other retirement account
- Take advantage of the North Dakota tax credit, which allows for a direct credit against taxes for individual and corporate gifts made to our qualified endowment
- Complex gifts like donation of land
- Charitable gift annuities and charitable trusts
We are often reminded of how the care provided during difficult times has touched the lives of those involved. Recently, we received this note from a family member whose mother was served by Hospice of the Red River Valley. “Thank you so much for the gentle and compassionate care given to our mother. Words cannot describe the depth of our gratitude. You were always there when we needed you.”
For more information on opportunities to support Hospice of the Red River Valley, please call (800) 237-4629, email or visit our website.
About Hospice of the Red River Valley
In 1981, Hospice of the Red River Valley was founded on the belief that everyone deserves access to high-quality end-of-life care. We fulfill our nonprofit mission by providing medical, emotional, personal and spiritual care, as well as grief support to our patients, their families and caregivers during a tender time in life. Our staff helps those we serve experience more meaningful moments through exceptional hospice care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, wherever a patient calls home. The organization serves more than 40,000 square miles in North Dakota and Minnesota, including in and around Bismarck, Detroit Lakes, Devils Lake, Fargo, Fergus Falls, Grand Forks, Lisbon, Thief River Falls, Valley City and many more communities. Hospice of the Red River Valley offers round-the-clock availability via phone, prompt response times and same-day admissions, including evenings, weekends and holidays. Contact us anytime at 800-237-4629 or hrrv.org.
