Hospice of Anchorage has been around since 1980 and is a nonprofit, 501(c) (3) organization and a partner agency to United Way of Anchorage. We are a community agency comprised of an interdisciplinary team – volunteers, nurses, social workers, volunteer coordinator and a bereavement coordinator. We provide assistance with transition from life through death and to cope with loss and grief. This may be a one-time visit, periodic contact or may grow into an ongoing relationship lasting weeks, months or years. All services are provided free of cost.

Our hospice services are an earlier intervention of care compared to Medicare based Hospice. We meet with individuals that have life threatening illnesses and we are able to work with those still pursing treatment options. Typically we meet with individuals and families once a month; however, it depends on their needs. We do not require a referral from a provider; anyone can call to ask for an assessment. We can provide nursing assessments, case management, resource/information referrals and end-of-life planning. Our volunteers provide companionship which includes social visits, helping with household tasks, music, pet visits and more. We also have a Senior-In-Home grant that provides personal care attendant hours to qualifying patients based on a sliding pay scale. In addition, we do have a loan closet with limited supplies, but please call ahead to see if we have something you need.

Our grief services are for those that have experienced a death of a loved one. Our bereavement coordinator is able to meet one on one with those for support and can provide information/referral. Once someone is ready, we have support groups that meet two Thursdays a month from 6 to 9 p.m. These are peer facilitated groups and there are about eight different groups that break out based on age and type of loss. At our office we also have a loan library with books on grief and loss that are for the public to borrow.

On a monthly basis we also offer an educational program for our staff, volunteers and community members. In the past we have done topics such as Aging Veterans, 5 Wishes Advanced Health Care Directive, Self-Care Workshop and more. Our next monthly program is on Thursday, May 25 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and is titled “Musings about the Grieving from a Developmental Perspective.”

If you are interested in coming, please RSVP to save your spot at volunteers@hospiceofanchorage.org or 561-5322.