Agrace HospiceCare Foundation

RESPITE CARE: PROVIDING END-OF-LIFE CARE FOR A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND CAN LEAVE CAREGIVERS FATIGUED AND STRESSED. TO GIVE THEM A BREAK OF UP TO FIVE DAYS, AGRACE OFFERS RESPITE CARE FOR HOSPICE PATIENTS. COMMUNITY GIFTS SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENTS, WHICH COVER APPROXIMATELY 55 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL COST OF RESPITE CARE. WISH PROGRAM: THE WISH PROGRAM HELPS OUR HOSPICE PATIENTS ACHIEVE THEIR END-OF-LIFE GOALS. A WISH CAN BE SOMETHING A PATIENT COULD NOT ATTAIN DURING Their LIFE, SOMETHING they CANNOT AFFORD OR SIMPLY A FINAL DESIRE. AGRACE HAS GRANTED MORE THAN 210 PATIENT WISHES SINCE 2010. CLINICAL EDUCATION & TRAINING: IT TAKES A SPECIAL COMMITMENT TO WORK WITH PATIENTS WHO ARE SERIOUSLY ILL OR DYING. COMMUNITY DONATIONS ALLOW AGRACE TO FUND STAFF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, WHICH INCREASE STAFF COMPETENCE AND RETENTION. Community donations also provide SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OUR CNAs. THESE AWARDS ENABLE EMPLOYEES TO ADVANCE IN THEIR CURRENT ROLE OR COMPLETE EDUCATION TO BECOME AN LPN OR RN. VOLUNTEER TRAINING & APPRECIATION: AGRACE'S VOLUNTEERS SERVE IN A VARIETY OF ROLES, INCLUDING DIRECT SERVICE TO PATIENTS AND FAMILIES. PALLIATIVE MEDICINE FELLOWSHIP: AGRACE IS COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING TOP-NOTCH PALLIATIVE CARE PROVIDERS IN OUR COMMUNITY. COMMUNITY GIFTS SUPPORT THE HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE MEDICINE FELLOWSHIP, A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UW AND VETERANS HOSPITALS; THIS PROGRAM OFFERS PALLIATIVE-CARE ROTATIONS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR PHYSICIANS IN TRAINING. PATIENT ASSISTANCE FUND: GRANTS USED TO ASSIST PATIENTS AND FAMILIES BY IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE AND FULFILLING END-OF-LIFE GOALS. EXAMPLES INCLUDE BUYING A BURIAL DRESS OR PROVIDING A BIRTHDAY CAKE. DIVERSITY: FUNDS ARE USED TO SUPPORT AGRACE'S DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAM. THE WORK OF THIS PROGRAM HELPS AGRACE TO GROW A MORE DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE PATIENT POPULATION, VOLUNTEER SUPPORT TEAM AND EMPLOYEE BASE, REFLECTING THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. Start-up costs: support for Agrace to start-up new programs to serve the community. In 2023 Agrace Hospicecare Foundation provided support for Agrace to start-up the Agrace Adult Day Center.

COMMUNITY GRIEF SERVICES: EVERY YEAR, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING CHILDREN GET SUPPORT FROM AGRACE'S SPIRITUAL & GRIEF SERVICES TO HELP THEM COPE WITH THE DEATH OF A LOVED ONE. ALTHOUGH GRIEF SUPPORT IS REQUIRED BY STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS, IT IS NOT COVERED BY MEDICARE, MEDICAID, OR PRIVATE INSURANCE. COMMUNITY DONATIONS ENABLE US TO OFFER SPECIALIZED GRIEF SUPPORT THAT IS OPEN TO EVERYONE. THE FOUNDATION ALSO SUPPORTS Agrace's free-standing GRIEF SUPPORT CENTER THAT HAS ALLOWED US TO EXPAND OUR PROGRAM AND SERVE MANY MORE PEOPLE.

CARE FOR ALL (CHARITY CARE): EACH YEAR, DOZENS OF OUR NEIGHBORS WHO CANNOT AFFORD HOSPICE, PALLIATIVE CARE, Age at Home or the Adult DAy Center RECEIVE SERVICES AT NO COST THROUGH AGRACE'S "CARE FOR ALL" PROGRAM, funded by the Care for All endowment. Through the Care for All Program, WE SERVE SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS-CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH NO INSURANCE, SENIORS WITHOUT CAREGIVERS, INDIVIDUALS LACKING SAFE HOUSING, AND THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. While Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance cover the cost of basic hospice services for most patients, an increasing number of people in southern Wisconsin do not have enough insurance coverage for hospice when they need it. Since 2015, Agrace's Care for All program has funded care for over 500 patients, 84 of them were served in 2023 alone.