Death is a natural part of life. We neither hasten nor postpone death. Hospice was created to support the patient and their families as they seek care during the end of life experience. Hospice also creates an environment conducive to a higher quality of life by aggressively managing the pain and symptoms associated with this process.

Hospice is holistic. Pain and suffering may be felt in the physical, spiritual or emotional domain by the patient or any member of the family. As we render hospice care, we acknowledge the link between each family member and the patient.

Carol Citte and Shirley Haslam are the owners and co-founders of Zion’s Way Hospice. Shirley has a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing with nearly 30 years of experience in the nursing field. She also has 14 years experience in management. Carol has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Public Relations. She also has over 15 years experience as a health and fitness instructor, teaching yoga and meditation.

After working three years for a national hospice company, Carol and Shirley decided to provide higher levels of specialized, medical care along with complementary treatments to better serve patients and their caregivers. In August 2005, they established Zion’s Way Hospice with the intent to increase comfort, hope and quality of care by offering the best in both traditional and complementary care. This became their vision for Zion’s Way Hospice which now offers such complementary treatments as massage therapy, relaxation techniques, music and pet therapy, art expression, and poetic play along with other select therapies.

Hospice care is palliative, not curative. Palliative care treats the symptoms of a patients diagnosis, alleviating pain and symptoms without eliminating the cause. Hospice also soothes anxieties and intense emotions relating to those pains and symptoms. Zion's Way Hospice provides and believes in holistic care with an emphasis on quality of life.

The central focus of hospice and palliative care is the concept that each of us has the right to die with dignity, free from pain. Hospice also specializes in support for the family and caregivers which allows the patient to have more quality time with their loved ones and friends. Our patients, their families and loved ones, work together with Zion’s Way Hospice as a team to develop an individualized care plan designed to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of all involved in the process. With a focus aimed at symptom control and quality of life, all care is provided by our interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, certified nursing assistants, social workers, spiritual counselors and volunteers.

Hospice care is provided seven days a week with on-call assistance 24 hours a day. Hospice is fully funded through the Medicare Part A benefit, for those with a six month or less life expectancy. The hospice benefit is also covered by Medicaid and most private insurance companies. Hospice admission is based on need, not on the ability to pay. For answers to questions regarding Hospice, or to simply receive additional information regarding this benefit please call Zion's Way Home Health & Hospice at 435-688-0648.