As you hear on the news Healthcare is being stretched beyond its capabilities and Hospice is not exempt.   Even though we are not taking active Coronavirus patients, often times many of the disease state illnesses we manage have the same symptoms.  What makes this even more complex, oftentimes those affected by the Coronavirus are asymptomatic so we really never know for sure.

As Hospice workers we dutiful care for the dying to ensure no one dies in pain or alone.  As hospitals become overwhelmed with this expected surge, Hospice is preparing for the same.

As a Facility Manager, I oversee the Environment of Care.  With this current pandemic, we have considerable additional responsibilities to keep the facilities clean and disinfected.  I have two facilities that I manage, David Simpson Hospice House and a connected building we call Lakeshore.  As you know David Simpson is one of three IPU's that we utilize to take care of our sickest patients in a Homelike environment.   Our Lakeshore building houses two Homecare teams in addition to our Referral staff and other offices.  To keep patients and staff healthy at both facilities,  I have enacted additional disinfecting practices twice per day.

Currently, I am in need of volunteers to assist in disinfecting our Lakeshore facility Monday, Thursday and Saturday sometime in the afternoon.   This involves wiping down high touch areas with disinfecting wipes.  It usually takes about an hour to an hour and a half to complete.  Because this building is currently not open to the public the risk of exposure is low.  We have all the necessary supplies and if you should know of anyone in either of our parishes who would be willing to help please provide them my contact information below.

Bless and Peace during these most challenging times,

Steve DiMare