Stories of Hope & Care
Meet Mater — a Hospice Hero
Through a new partnership with Assured Hospice - Centralia and Pet Peace of mind we were able to help a hospice patient and their family by getting their dog, Mater, the proper care that he needed.
This new partnership aims to support patients on hospice by allowing us to take some of the burden when their pets are needing care.
From Maters family: "Our family is so grateful for everything that this project did for Mater, we have had Mater since he was a puppy and now, he is 11 years old. He is our companion and a part of our family. We really appreciate the Assured Hospice Pet Peace of Mind Team for transporting mater to his first appointment. Thank you, it meant so much to us, there was no way we could have been able to afford this. Our family is very so thankful for this project and thankful that the Visiting Nurses Foundation and the Assured Hospice Pet Peace of Mind program can help more pets"
Who We Are
Trudy was bed bound, living with diabetes, and experiencing significant pain, especially in her feet due to untreated toenail care. Through a Visiting Nurses Foundation grant, she received three visits from a mobile foot care nurse, which brought her meaningful relief and improved her comfort. As a low-income Medicaid patient, neither Trudy nor her daughter could afford these services, and she shared that this support made all the difference.
Rita Niles was a Medicaid patient living in memory care with no financial assets. Through a grant from the Visiting Nurses Foundation, $350 was provided to help cover funeral arrangements after her passing. This support allowed her daughter to afford cremation and avoid having to leave her mother’s remains with the state. During an already difficult time of grief, the assistance also eased a significant financial and emotional burden for the family.
A hospice patient has experienced significant comfort and relief through massage therapy, with her family noticing a meaningful improvement after 12 sessions. One of her ongoing challenges has been constipation, and massage has been one of the few therapies that has provided her with consistent relief. Through support from the Visiting Nurses Foundation, her family is seeking additional grant-funded sessions so she can continue receiving this care, improving her comfort and allowing for more meaningful quality time with loved ones.