For over four decades, Foothills Compassionate Care (Hospice of the Foothills), a non-profit 501(c)(3) has been a beacon of compassionate, end-of-life care in Western Nevada County.
Established in 1979 as a small, all-volunteer operation, we have grown into a highly respected, non-profit organization licensed by the State of California, certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and accredited by the Joint Commission.
Our journey from these humble beginnings to the trusted and comprehensive care provider we are today is a testament to our unwavering dedication to serving our community.
MISSION
With expertise, quality, and compassion, we empower and guide individuals and families to prepare for and navigate life’s challenging chapters.
VISION
To have a community that fully embraces the Journey of life and death.
VALUES
Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Empowerment, Collaboration
Why Choosing a
Non-Profit Matters
Understanding the difference at Foothills Compassionate Care
When a loved one is facing a serious illness, choosing a hospice is one of the most important decisions a family will make. At a time when emotions are already high, many people don’t realize that not all hospices operate the same way—or that the difference between nonprofit and for-profit hospice models can influence how resources are invested in patient care and community services.
For more than 45 years, Foothills Compassionate Care has been serving patients and families throughout Nevada County and the surrounding foothills. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, our purpose is simple: to provide compassionate, comprehensive care to people facing serious illness and the end of life, while supporting the families who walk alongside them.
Our mission—not a profit margin—is at the center of every decision we make.
A for-profit hospice is a business structured to generate profits for its owners or investors. Like other businesses, it must balance the cost of providing services with the revenue it receives.
Hospice care is largely reimbursed through Medicare and other insurers based on established payment structures. But how an organization uses its resources—and what services it chooses to provide beyond those reimbursed by insurance—can vary significantly.
The hospice landscape across the United States has changed considerably in recent years, including substantial growth in for-profit and private-equity-backed hospice organizations. While for-profit hospices can provide excellent care, research has identified differences between nonprofit and for-profit hospices in areas such as staffing, visit patterns, and the services available to patients and families.
Nonprofit hospices like Foothills Compassionate Care are mission-driven rather than profit-driven.
Instead of distributing profits to shareholders or investors, nonprofit hospices can reinvest available resources into patient care, staff, volunteers, community education, and programs that support people before, during, and after hospice care.
That community investment matters.
At Foothills Compassionate Care, our work extends beyond the clinical care provided at a patient’s bedside. We offer grief support, trained patient volunteers, community education, and other services designed to help individuals and families navigate some of life’s most difficult transitions.
Philanthropic support from our community also allows us to strengthen these programs and help ensure that compassionate care remains accessible to those who need it.
The difference between nonprofit and for-profit hospice isn’t simply about how an organization is incorporated. It is about where the organization’s priorities ultimately lie.
A nonprofit hospice has the opportunity to put resources back into its mission and the community it serves. That can mean investing in additional support for families, training and supporting volunteers, providing bereavement services, educating the community about advance care planning and end-of-life choices, and developing programs that address needs that may not be fully covered by insurance reimbursement.
At Foothills Compassionate Care, our goal is to care for the whole person—and to support the people who love them.
A Mission That Puts People First
For more than four decades, Foothills Compassionate Care has been part of the fabric of our community.
Our nurses, physicians, social workers, chaplains, aides, volunteers, and other team members work together to address the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual need that can arise during serious illness and at end of life.
We also provide 24/7 on-call support, an important resource for patients and families who may need guidance or reassurance outside of regular business hours.
Our nonprofit status means that our organization exists to advance a mission – not to generate returns for shareholders.
Care That Extends Beyond Hospice
One of the strengths of a community nonprofit is the ability to invest in services and programs that extend beyond the traditional hospice benefit.
At Foothills Compassionate Care (Hospice of the Foothills), that includes:
- Grief and bereavement support for individuals and families experiencing loss
- A trained volunteer program that connects compassionate community members with patients and families
- Community education on topics such as advance care planning, Five Wishes, wills and trusts, and end-of-life decision-making
- Palliative care services through our on-site palliative clinic
- Support for caregivers and families navigating serious illness
- Memorial and remembrance programs that help our community honor and remember those who have died
- Educational and outreach programs that encourage meaningful conversations about serious illness, caregiving, and end-of-life wishes
These programs are part of a larger commitment to making our community more informed, compassionate, and prepared to care for one another.
Hospice is about PEOPLE, not profit
End-of-life care is not a commodity. It is a deeply human experience—a time when patients and families deserve to feel heard, respected, supported, and cared for.
Choosing a hospice is ultimately a very personal decision. Families should ask questions about an organization’s ownership, staffing, services, after-hours support, volunteer programs, bereavement care, and commitment to the community.
At Foothills Compassionate Care, we believe every person deserves compassionate care at the end of life, and every family deserves support along the way.
For more than 45 years, we’ve been honored to provide that care right here in the foothills—because caring for our community is at the heart of who we are.
PHILOSOPHY
Patients, caregivers, their families, and friends are at the heart of our compassionate care.
We believe patients have the right to be informed about their disease, prognosis, treatment, and available alternatives. Patients and families are the primary participants in the decision-making process and have the right to accept or refuse treatment.
We guide and empower dying patients and their loved ones to attain a quality of life that allows them to live to the fullest and to prepare them mentally and spiritually for their end-of-life journey.
We recognize that quality of life, peace, and comfort at the end of life should be the focus when curing a patient’s disease is no longer possible.
SERVICES
Foothills Compassionate Care serves over 500 patients and families every year in Western Nevada County and surrounding communities.
Our care team embraces the opportunity to guide and empower even more community members through life’s challenging chapters. Services include Education, Resources, Caregiver Support, Palliative Care, Hospice Care, and Grief Support.
NON-DISCRIMINATION
Click here to read our Non-Discrimination Policy.
Why Families Choose Foothills Compassionate Care
Families choose Foothills Compassionate Care because they want more than medical care. They want compassion, dignity, guidance, and someone to walk beside them.
We have served our community for more than 45 years, caring for hundreds of patients and families each year. Our team provides comprehensive hospice and palliative care while helping families understand what to expect, navigate difficult decisions, and make the most of the time they have together.
And because we are a nonprofit organization, the resources entrusted to us through insurance reimbursement and community philanthropy are used to advance our mission and strengthen the care we provide.
An Organization You Can Trust
ACCREDITATION
Foothills Compassionate care is “deemed status” accredited by the Joint Commission. The Gold Seal of Approval® signifies that Foothills Compassionate Care has exemplified its commitment to using best practices to improve safety and quality for its patients, staff, and community.
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