Giving families the final word

BY MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE For Sauk Valley Media

The mission of Rock River Hospice & Home is to be “By your side — our family caring for your family,” a statement echoed by those who work, volunteer and raise funds for the nonprofit that provides end-of-life care for patients and their families.

The organization started more than 40 years ago with a group of volunteers, and since then has evolved through the years, changing names a few times along the way — but the foundation of the hospice mission remains, said Executive Director Emily Taylor.

“We started as a grass-roots movement and it has helped us grow into who we are today,” she said. “It’s about living. We’re here to help in the final days”

Utilizing a team approach, the patient, family, nurses and social service staff collaborate to provide individualized care programs tailored to meet the patient’s needs and requests. There is in-home care as well as in-patient care at the six-bed facility that opened in 2017.

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HOSPICE

20 needs to support groups. Taylor said sometimes caregivers can feel overwhelmed or perhaps not realize that they need a break.

“We form a good care plan for the patient,” Taylor said.

Rock River Hospice & Home provides care for those of all ages, from pediatric to adults, throughout a fivecounty area.

Additionally, a core group of volunteers assist in a variety of ways, from sitting with a patient for companionship to providing meals for a family to helping a patient record stories or a life history.

“Our volunteers are a vital part of our organization,” Taylor said.

More info

Rock River Home & Hospice | 2706 Ave. E, Sterling » 815-625-6152

“It’s been great to have our facility and another opportunity for our patients to have the care they need,” Taylor said, adding that the facility is specifically designed to allow patients and families to feel comfortable with private spaces as well as space for a family to congregate.

In the We Honor Veterans program, active-duty veterans volunteer their time to meet with patients who are veterans, sharing the common bond of service along with stories and an understanding.

“The patients are able to talk about their service, talk about their experiences,” Taylor said. “It’s just another way we can help someone to feel honored in their life.”

Hospice care is as much for the patient’s needs as it is for the patient’s family and team of caregivers. That can be in the form of respite from the 24-hour care a patient

The staff at Rock River Hospice & Care understands that bereavement affects each person differently, which is why it opens its doors to the community for its monthly support groups in addition to providing families of patients with counseling services and 13-month post death follow-ups to help the family through their first year of memories and milestones without their loved one.

Rock River Hospice & Home also provides care for patients regardless of their financial abilities. Taylor said no patient is turned away. This is due in part to generous donations as well as volunteers who give their time for fundraising.

Several fundraising opportunities are available to help support Rock River Hospice & Home; find more details at hospicerockriver.org and in the news in the next few months. Among the events …

Join the fun at the annual golf outing at Deer Valley Golf Club on June 23.

Support Rock River Hospice & Home during a charity motorcycle ride sponsored by the Midwest Mulisha SC of Sterling on Aug. 5.

The Country Store opens Nov. 9 — and save the date for the Festival of Trees Nov. 12-19.

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