Hospice Program
State of the Heart Hospice has provided compassionate, quality hospice care to over 11,000 families since 1980. The non-profit program has its roots in the local community and was a pioneer in the hospice movement in the United States. It was the first rural-based hospice program in the U.S. that served a totally rural community. The agency emerged as a leader and has been known for over a quarter of a century for its commitment to providing the best hospice care possible to families and patients confronting a life-limiting illness.
The local program is the result of two former programs merging in the 1980's: Hospice of Darke County and Mercer County Hospice. Each was founded by a group of concerned citizens who had a similar interest in providing home care to patients who were confronting a life-limiting illness.
Over the years, the local program has expanded, serving more patients while providing new services. It has been through the generous support of the local community that the non-profit agency has been able to grow and be proactive in serving the citizens of this area. Over the years, State of the Heart has emerged as the area's leader in hospice care and in the agency's grief support program.
State of the Heart Hospice has a unique team approach to caring for both patient and family. THe team consists of physicians, nurses, home health aides, social workers, bereavement specialists, chaplains, and volunteers. THe team acts as the support network and provides physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual care to both patient and family. An important part of the care is bereavement support. The family can have grief support for up to 13 months after a patient has died. In addition, grief support is offered to all in the community who need help dealing with grief and loss. Support is available on a one-on-one basis as well as group sessions. A children's camp, called Camp BEARable, is held annually, and a camp for family unites, called Camp Harmony, is held annually also. Grief specialists increasingly are increasingly going to area schools to help children who have experienced the loss of a loved one.
Volunteers are an important part of the hospice team and help in many ways. They may run errands, help with delivery of prescriptions, do routine office tasks, sit with patients, help with speaking engagements and assist with fund raising. Volunteers are always needed. If you would like more information on volunteering, visit our Volunteer section.
State of the Heart Hospice relies on financial support from the community. No patient is ever denied care based on an inability to pay. Hospice is based on the philosophy that no patient need die alone, in pain, feeling a burden to family and friends.
