St. Mary's opened the first hospice house in Athens on the campus of Highland Hills retirement community near Bogart. The dedication was on July 27, 2006. and patients were admitted on August 1, 2006.

"Our hospice staff, Foundation and Auxiliary have been working hard for several years to make the Hospice House a reality," said Tom Fitz, St. Mary's President and CEO. "This is a true community endeavor, and St. Mary's is extremely grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from Athens and Northeast Georgia. We are bringing a new level of care to our community."

The 7,500-square foot facility includes 12 private patient rooms in a comforting environment. Each room features home-like décor, with sophisticated medical equipment hidden away until needed. Patients will be able to come for a few days while their caregivers at home rest, or be admitted for inpatient care. Families will be encouraged to spend time with their loved ones, with plenty of space for visiting in the patient's room, private visiting areas, and in common areas such as a dining room and library.

The Hospice House provides comfort care for patients of all ages who have life-limiting illnesses and can no longer remain at home. They will receive care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

"When the patient's care needs are beyond what the family can manage, or when the family needs a break, we will be able to offer a Hospice House in our community," said Karen Joyce, RN, Director of St. Mary's Home Health Care/Hospice Services.

"In my 13 years in Hospice, I have seen many situations where a Hospice House was needed. We see children trying to care for dying adults, working parents caring for children with terminal illnesses, and patients without caregivers or support in the home. We need a facility in the Athens area that can help these patients and their families."

St. Mary's Hospice staff includes nurses, social workers, aides and a chaplain. In addition, specially trained volunteers help with everything from listening to patient's reminisce to letting exhausted families have a few hours of rest. St. Mary's is expanding its hospice staff to meet the 24/7 staffing needs of the Hospice House. Qualified persons are encouraged to contact St. Mary's Human Resources Department.

For more information, please call St. Mary's Hospice Services, (706) 389-2273.