West Georgia Hospice / Hospice LaGrange

Since 1982, West Georgia Hospice has provided holistic care to terminally ill patients and their families through an interdisciplinary team of registered nurses, assistants, medical social workers, physicians, ministers, dietitians and volunteers. The goal is to assist the patient in remaining at home as long as possible, while being attended to by loved ones and living as fully as possible.

For patients who are unable to receive hospice care in their own homes, whether they live alone or do not have an able-bodied family member to care for them, West Georgia Hospice offers a 16-bed inpatient Hospice house. Established in 1996, Hospice LaGrange provides acute, respite and residential services in a comfortable, home-like setting to people with a limited life expectancy.

West Georgia Hospice also offers bereavement services for the family members and close friends for up to a year following their loved one's death. In addition, West Georgia Hospice hosts Camp Dogwood every year to help children manage their grief in creative and supportive ways.

Information regarding advance directives for final health care decisions is available from West Georgia Hospice. Georgia Health Decisions publishes an advance directive and planning guide, entitled CRITICAL Conditions, which may be obtained from the Hospice staff or by visiting the web site, www.critical-conditions.org.

To support its goal of providing services to all patients, regardless of the ability to pay, West Georgia Hospice hosts several fund-raisers throughout the year. The Ely Callaway Memorial Golf Event, held in the fall, has raised more thant $750,000 since its inception in 1996. There is also a poker run and barbeque in the fall and a poinsettia sale and tour of homes at Christmas time. Donations can be made directly to the Hospice LaGrange Charitable Trust.