Tom’s Uncommon Journey of Volunteer Companioning By Meredith Melgar, Volunteer Coordinator, Foothills Compassionate Care In hospice care, time is precious. Most patients are only on service for a matter of months, sometimes just days. Volunteers often join families for a brief but meaningful chapter. That’s why Tom’s relationship with one of our patients is something […]
For the West family, hospice and palliative care once felt uncertain. But when both of Gene West Jr.’s parents faced serious illness, Foothills Compassionate Care turned fear into a story of dignity, love, and peace. In 2023, Gene’s mother, Linda West, entered Hospice of the Foothills. She suffered from a painful skin condition that caused […]
A princess, a horse, and a community that said YES When Kim called Foothills Compassionate Care about her daughter Sharri, no one could have guessed what would unfold. During their conversations, our Lead Intake Coordinator, Carmen, picked up on something special: Sharri’s lifelong love of horses, and her wish to dress up as a princess […]
A letter from Camilla, “On behalf of my wonderful Aunt Mildred D. Rogers and Uncle Joseph William Rogers Jr., I want to express our deepest gratitude for the exceptional work that you all do. Your vision and daily efforts touch so many lives, and it is an honor to present their gift to Foothills Compassionate Care.”
Michael “Mike” Menegazzi began painting at age 13, inspired by his mother’s ceramics and oil landscapes. He pursued art alongside a lifelong career in terrazzo and masonry—craftsmanship that eventually took him all the way to the Smithsonian. Later in life, encouraged by a fellow painter, Mike returned to the canvas with a new approach: plein […]
“I’m not sure I’d say much at all, not at first. I would just try to listen.” This in response to the question of how a hospice nurse should respond if patients or family members make demands that seem unreasonable, unwise, or downright impossible. “Patients and family members in end-of-life situations need to be heard.”
Sometimes, we meet people who leave a lasting impression on our hearts. Bev Werntz, a board member of Foothills Compassionate Care and a lifelong critical care and hospice nurse, shares the story of one such person—Mary Ann Smith. Bev first met Mary Ann about two years ago at the Grass Valley Gift & Thrift Store, where Mary Ann was a dedicated volunteer.
Janell opened Gold Country Compounding Pharmacy in Auburn so she could practice patient-centered care the way she wanted. “I’m able to use my knowledge and experience to truly benefit my patients,” Janell said. While working in compounding she had the privilege to work with and learn from hospice nurses who were caring for patients.
This is a story not just about loss but about love, resilience, and the immeasurable impact of compassionate care.
It has often been said that whenever you find a person in need, you find an opportunity for kindness. Battalion Chief Chris Armstrong of the Grass Valley Fire Department, no stranger to people in need.
For many of us, the loss of a spouse is the worst thing we can imagine. Hospice of the Foothills (HOF) offers thirteen-month bereavement groups for those who are going through what is one of the most difficult moments of one’s life, and it has proven to be incredibly helpful for those who are facing the rest of their lives without their life partner.
Born under the Hollywood sign, Lorraine’s life changed when she met her husband, Rick, at a Halloween party in Los Angeles. The couple soon relocated to Nevada City in 1991 to raise their two children, seeking a peaceful life away from the bustle of Los Angeles.
Death comes for all of us. For some, it is a quick and unexpected ending. For others, it is a longer journey. When death came for Alan Falstreau, it came with a triple whammy of prostate cancer and dementia at the height of the pandemic.
Ed Thomas lived life to the fullest, and when he made a commitment, this cowboy was in 100%. This was evident in his 63 year marriage to Barbara, the love of his life, who he met when she was 15 and he was 16.
In December, 2017, Jeanne Strohm first met Svenia Daniel, an RN Case Manager with Hospice of the Foothills. Jeanne was a 17 year resident at Eskaton, moving there after her husband, Charlie, died in 2003.