At Agrace, the focus is on helping those with terminal illness die in comfort and with dignity.
Kacey Davidson and Marcia Whittington of Agrace spoke to the Waunakee Rotary Club July 26 about the hospice and palliative care that organization provides to residents within a 16-county area.
Founded in 1978, the nonprofit is community supported and serves more than 900 patients per day from four offices and within two inpatient units – one in Janesville and the other in Fitchburg, Kacey said.
Kacey, the outreach liaison in Waunakee, added that the Fitchburg location has 50 beds and works with UW Health and Unity Point Meriter. Most patients are served in their home and receive medical services, along with emotional and spiritual care.
The patients have life-limiting illness or a life expectancy of six months or less. The goal is to provide comfort, not a cure.
“A lot of folks are scared of passing with pain. We want them to feel comfortable and dignified,” Kacey said.
Agrace health care workers and volunteers come to patients wherever they are – in homes, shelters or hotels. In one case, the patient’s address turned out to be a church, and the homeless man lived in the garage. Because he preferred to remain there, they brought him medication and care.
Inpatient care is available to those who would like to stay at Agrace, but the cost is about the same as a nursing home, around $300 per day. As in nursing homes, the cost is paid mostly by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. Sometimes, the care is short term, and then the patient can return home. All other expenses for medication related to the illness are covered.
But in many cases, families don’t have access to Medicare or Medicaid. Marcia Whittington, a Waunakee resident, is Agrace’s foundation director.
She talked about one family who had spent down all of their savings when the young wife and mother became ill. She was too young to receive Medicare, and the family did not want to lose their home. The patient also did not want to die in their home with their young children. So, they turned to Agrace.
“Some fall through the cracks,” Marcia said.
A Care for All fund was set up to provide services to those without resources, but costs mounted quickly, going from $50,000 the first year to $600,000. Agrace has now set up an endowment, hoping to generate $15 million; now, through donations, $13,000 has been set up.
“So anyone who needs quality of life care has it,” Marcia said.
Guests: Jim Tubbs, guest of George Ohlendorf; Dennis Hampton, guest of Bob Sachtjen.
Visiting Rotarians: None.
Birthdays: Aug. 3, Drew Lawrence; Aug. 4, Jon Townley.
Anniversaries: Aug. 4, Rich and Carolyn Harris; Aug. 5, Jim and Kathy Ableidinger.
Greeters: Aug. 2, Linda Olson and Cindy Patzner; Aug. 9, Danny Ken Pesik and James Pingel.
