For 20 years, Rocky Mountain Hospice has been providing care to patients in Carbon and Emery counties earning this non-profit the designation of the longest-operating hospice in our area.
Rocky Mountain Hospice brings medical care to wherever you call home, for those with a qualifying illness who may be within the last six months or so of life. However, hospice care does not have to mean the end of the line. According to Rocky Mountain Regional Director Ryan Levingston, many patients get this increased care in home care and their symptoms managed to where they have a new lease on life and “graduate” from hospice.
“Usually, people improve on hospice because of the level of care,” Levingston said. “You can transition from hospice and many patients do.”
“Hospice is a service that we can provide in any setting,” said Angie Fausett, Clinical Director. “It’s not the same for everybody because hospice means something different to each patient. Its customized for the needs of each patient and it is all inclusive.”
Rocky Mountain tailors their services to each individual to ensure they meet their wants and needs, as well as the wants and needs of family members and caretakers and provide the best hospice care possible. Over 20 employees make up the team, including their physician Dr Paul Thayn, clinical director Angie Fausett, skilled nurses Errin Rauhala, Savannah Cottam, Melanie Fausett, Chrystal Misner, and Audrey Dalton, chaplain support from David Alvarez, volunteer visits from Amber Christiansen, Vickie Thomas, Kathy D’Ambrosio and Lanie Richarz, office manager Angie Johnson and, of course, certified nursing assistants Kelli Jo Juggert, Teri Stevenson, Debbie Madrigal, Michael Ellington, Selene Molinar, Kaylee Leautaud, Desirae Lantz, and Dezeray Stewart, as well as their medical social worker, Alison Marrelli. They have staff that has been serving in the field for over 20 years and have a lifetime of combined experience.
“It adds more depth to the care when the staff’s entire job is focused on hospice,” Fausett said.
Once care is in place, patients can access medical support 24/7. This includes, but is not limited to, nurse visits, physician visits, medication management, necessary medical equipment, assistance with daily life needs, spiritual support, and more. Their social worker is involved with every patient to provide clinical therapy, support, community resourcing, and guidance through the grief process for patients, family, caretakers and friends.
“Our whole goal is to make somebody as comfortable as possible and have their quality of life be what they want it to be,” Fausett said. “We all want comfort and dignity at the end of life.”
This life-changing service comes at no cost to the patient or their families in most cases. Rocky Mountain Hospice is a benefit covered by insurance including Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance.
“It’s our privilege to care for our neighbors,” Fausett said. “It’s not a job to us. It’s something we love doing and it’s our passion.”
This dedication to serving local residents has earned Rocky Mountain Hospice the Best in Class designation based on independent customer satisfaction surveys. Rocky Mountain received this rating in multiple categories, ranking it above the national average.
For more information about Rocky Mountain Hospice, please visit their office located at 60 East 100 North in Price. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. interested parties can also call (435) 637-8070 or visit www.rmcare.com for more information.