Escondido. CA -Krista Romberg, Regional Liaison with The Elizabeth Hospice, found a great way to share her love of gardening with Palomar Vista Healthcare Center residents in Escondido. She helped create a succulent wall garden at their facility and engaged their residents and staff in an afternoon of planting and decorating while sharing information about hospice care services available from The Elizabeth Hospice.
“Our residents are excited to help care for the plants and watch them grow. We’re grateful to The Elizabeth Hospice for adding this beautiful, living art to our Palomar Vista surroundings,” said Jason Varley, Executive Director of Palomar Vista.
As a Regional Liaison, Krista’s role is to educate people in the community about hospice care. “Too often, people enroll in hospice in the last few weeks of their life. By waiting, they are not getting the full benefit of our services,” said Krista. “I appreciate the opportunity to work with the activities director at assisted living facilities, skilled nursing homes and other senior living facilities to offer fun, educational activities for their residents. “During Hospice 101 Happy Hour, residents answer questions about hospice and earn ‘Eliza-Bucks,’ redeemable for gift baskets. We offer a free seminar on How to Complete a POLST, a medical document that gives people control of their end-of-life care. The purpose of these activities is to help people make the most of every moment of living by enhancing their knowledge about their healthcare options,” said Krista.
The Elizabeth Hospice, the largest independent nonprofit hospice provider in California, provides medical and emotional support to patients and families facing the challenges associated with an advanced, life-limiting illness and restores hope to children and adults who are grieving the death of a loved one. Since 1978, the organization has touched the lives of more than 125,000 people in San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County with services that go beyond those required of hospice providers. These services include child and adult grief support for patients and community members, veteran support, and complementary therapies.
More information about The Elizabeth Hospice can be found at elizabethhospice.org.
