Altru Hosts Event For Hospice Awareness

It is a topic more and more Americans are becoming more familiar with: Hospice Care.

On Tuesday in Grand Forks, there was an event at the Empire Arts Center all about the health care service that helps people during their final days.

Officials with Altru said many people not familiar with hospice may find even the thought of it a little terrifying.

"Without hospice, I think it would be more terrifying," said Terry Fore.

While her husband Darrell was fighting Huntington's disease, Terry Fore turned to Altru Hospice during his final days.

"Eventually his speech went, but I know they took care of any of his discomfort," said Fore.

Hospice has taken care of many more Americans. Almost 42 percent died in hospice care last year, like John Nyberg's wife, Mary.

"We got to spend the last couple of months at home in our own house. We got the help we needed from hospice for the medical, emotional and all the other parts," said Nyberg.

"Often times people think of hospice as a negative. We want to show what a great impact it can have," said Joyce Simmons, Manager of Home Care and Hospice at Altru.

Altru Home Services recognized National Home Care and Hospice Month.

Wine and hors d'oeuvres made a comfortable and relaxing social scene. Later the movie, "Two Weeks," starring two-time Academy Award Winner Sally Field as a hospice patient, shed light on the subject.

The goal is for everyone to come to a better understanding of hospice care.

"The dying process doesn't just involve the patient, but also their families," said Simmons.

Which does not stop after saying goodbye to loved ones.

"After she passed away a year-and-a-half ago, I decided to try volunteering for hospice. It's been good for me," said Nyberg.

"I knew when I was starting this next journey, these people would be there through it all," said Fore.

Hospice services stay involved for up to 13 months after the death of a loved one, offering support to their families.

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