Hospice of Houston County Opens Serenity Gate
A dream became a reality as Hospice of Houston County opened the doors to Serenity Gate, an inpatient Hospice and palliative care unit located at Perry Hospital. For the past several years, Hospice of Houston County researched the need within the community for services which would be provided through an inpatient Hospice and palliative care unit. Their research concluded the fact that there is definitely a great need for this type of service.
Serenity Gate is a warm, home-like setting, that provides24-hour nursing care during the last stages of life. It is designed to help individuals and family members needing end-of-life care when the level of assistance is not available at home.
Designed as a peaceful facility, Serenity Gate features six beautifully decorated patient suites with private bath facilities, meal service, a 24-hour family kitchen, a family area equipped with TV, internet access, and children’s play area. Family members may spend the night if they choose. Pets are welcome at designated times. A peaceful chapel welcomes all faiths for gentle reflection and prayer.
Services offered will include symptom management such as pain control, acute or chronic symptom management which cannot be feasibly provided in other settings; transition assistance to help families needing a gradual discharge from inpatient hospital care to long-term or assisted living care; caregiver assistance by offering short-term care for families who are suffering from burnout due to excessive or intensive patient care needs; and respite care giving limited periods of rest to Hospice families needing a break from care giving responsibilities.
Located outside Serenity Gate is the Walk of Life, a unique garden dedicated to celebrating the memory of loved ones. The Walk offers an opportunity to remember the life of someone by creating a permanent legacy. The brick walk contains the names of friends, family and inspirational messages, engraved on granite and clay bricks. Opportunities to purchase bricks begin at $250.
Hospice of Houston County, a non-profit, United Way agency, has been the leader in end-of-life care since 1984, serving over 3000 patients. Serenity Gate is just one of the additions to Hospice of Houston County’s already long list of patient services. From grief support to support for caregivers, the organization serves the needs of many. In November 2001, Hospice of Houston County sponsored the firs “Camp Wings,” a bereavement camp for children, ages six through 16, who have lost a loved one. The camp, held annually at Camp Martha Johnston in Lizella, helps children learn to deal with their grief through various activities and group counseling. Camp Wings2004 will be held November 5, 6, and 7. Monthly grief support groups are available and are open to the community free of charge.
For more information about Serenity Gate, please contact (478) 988-1788 or for more information about Hospice of Houston County, please contact (478) 953-5161.