Community Hospice of Northeast Florida

For three decades, Community Hospice has filled a need and made a difference for those near the end of life and their families in five counties on the First Coast. An important community resource, we have evolved and grown—as a mission-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to delivering superior care, comprehensive services and effective programs.

The scope of Community Hospice encompasses everyone in the community who needs our care. We’re proud to report that

99 percent of families surveyed confirm a positive experience and acknowledge that they would recommend our care to others.

Whether by statistics or lives touched, the following numbers confirm that Community Hospice continues to fulfill its commitment—to improve the quality of life for patients and their families, and to be the “compassionate guide” for end-of life care in Northeast Florida. This would not be possible without the support of our community for which we are sincerely grateful.

Highlights From 2009

Each day, quality, compassionate care is provided to more than 1,000 patients and their families. Among them are approximately 250 patients who identify themselves as veterans and receive specialized services to meet their unique end-of-life needs.
The number of patients cared for each year continues to grow, and since 1979, Community Hospice has served nearly 59,000 patients.
Founded as a volunteer organization, Community Hospice now employs 700 professionals with expertise in end-of-life care, representing a range of clinical disciplines.
Volunteers are still critical: Additionally, more than 73,500 hours of service were contributed in FY2009 by 900 volunteers from the community.
In 1979, most of the 51 patients served were older than 65. Today, 20 percent of the more than 6,000 patients we care for each year are between the ages of 37 and 64.
While cancer continues to be the most common diagnosis among hospice patients, many more community residents are receiving end-of-life care from Community Hospice for other debilitating illnesses, such as heart disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s, lung disease including COPD, stroke and complications of AIDS.
Reimbursement by Medicare, Florida Medicaid and private insurance cover much of the care provided by Community Hospice; however, philanthropic support through Community Hospice Foundation ensures we are able to serve all who need us regardless of their ability to pay.
Everyone’s commitment matters: More than 9,000 community supporters made contributions during FY2009 totaling nearly $4 million—68 percent of these individual gifts were for less than $99 each.
Community PedsCare® served 157 seriously and terminally ill children during FY2009. Camp Healing Powers® reached 60 youngsters who were grieving the recent death of a loved one.
Giving back through education and outreach: We gave back to our community in FY2009 by reaching 41,000 people through bereavement support and caregiver workshops, health fairs and other community events.
Professional training was provided to more than 2,700 healthcare professionals in our community to help them better meet their patients' needs.

Within our five-county service area, Community Hospice primarily provides care in patients’ homes—whether home is a private residence, long term care facility or assisted living community—as well as in hospitals and our four inpatient care centers.

New inpatient care center coming: Soon a new facility, the Bailey Family Center for Caring, will open to expand inpatient services to hospice patients in the St. Augustine area who need round-the-clock support or need special therapies to reduce pain and improve quality of life.

Unaudited/projected data collected during Fiscal Year 2009 (October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009).