Hospice shares appreciation and future plans for state grant funds
{From Left to Right: Brad Gaither, Larry Potts, Laura Owen and Steve Jarvis. Photo Credit: Antionette Kerr/Davidson Local}
On Thursday, October 13, Hospice of Davidson County hosted state Senator Steve Jarvis and Representatives Larry Potts for a check presentation and campus tour. “Ultimately, this is to thank them [our representatives] for recent state funding we have received and to share appreciation for all of their advocacy for our community and our organization,” said Brad Gaither, Hospice Director of Community Relations.
Senator Jarvis and Representative Potts visited Hospice of Davidson County to formally present $125,000 in appropriations from the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). According to Laura Owen, CEO, state lawmakers Jarvis, Potts and Sam Wafford have been essential in helping to fund the facility.
Established in 1985, Hospice of Davidson County is an accredited end-of-life healthcare provider offering 24/7 medical care, pain management and emotional and spiritual support to relieve suffering and improve the quality and dignity of life following a terminal diagnosis from illness or injury.
Potts has been a longtime advocate for Hospice and currently serves as chair of the DHHS appropriations committee. “There isn’t a person in Davidson County who hasn’t been touched by Hospice,” he offered. Potts made the initial funding push to provide the agency with grant funds when he served as a county commissioner. “I took a lot of heat for that,” he said. His efforts and others led to the Henry Etta & Bruce Hinkle Hospice House which is the county’s only inpatient facility dedicated to expert Hospice Care. This 12-bed facility offers 24-hour pain management and specialized medical care in a home-like, caring environment as well as outpatient services. Hospice employs approximately 100 jobs.
Owen expressed appreciation and advised that Hospice will use these funds for technology improvements, continuing education, emerging patient needs due to the public health emergency and capital improvements for both patient and staff resources.
Services include helping families navigate their hospice care journey with compassion and empathy through comfort-oriented advocacy and medical assistance in the greater Davidson County Community.
Hospice of Davidson County remained one of the few facilities that accepted COVID positive patients during the spike in 2020. Owen said they faced challenges with protective equipment shortages and limits when outside service providers such as Hospice were unable to provide for patients living within nursing care facilities. Meeting patients where they’re most comfortable remained their goal throughout the COVID pandemic. Hospice of Davidson County provides expert care to patients and their families within the familiarity and comfort of their own homes.
