A Roller-Coaster Ride of Emotions

If you or someone you know has cared for a loved one with a life-limiting illness and heard the words “there is no more that can be done,” you are aware of the daily “roller-coaster ride” of emotions felt by all involved. Emotions that range from denial to acceptance with feelings of no hope and helplessness to sadness and even joy and laughter. Then there are the stresses and anxiety of providing care and fear of the unknown. 

Tidelands Community Hospice, founded over thirty years ago, is your community’s only locally based not-for-profit hospice. Having served over 6,000 patients and families, in Georgetown, Horry, and Williamsburg counties, perhaps you, a friend, neighbor or family have experienced its hospice care. If not, someday you or someone you love is likely to need hospice care. Below are questions to consider: 

1) Do I have a choice of what hospice organization II want to provide care?

• Yes, it is important to remember that you have the choice as to what hospice you want to provide care. Others may make recommendations, but the final choice and say so is yours. 

2) How long has a hospice been in operation? 

• Tidelands Community Hospice received its licensure as one of the first not-for-profit hospices in South Carolina in March 1985 and admitted its first patient in April. 

3) Is the hospice locally based and governed and is its staff local?

• Yes, Tidelands Community Hospice is your community’s only locally based and governed not-for-profit hospice serving in Georgetown, Horry, and Williamsburg counties. Today, there are many hospices in our community that are based and governed out of state or in other areas of the state.  
• Tidelands Community Hospice’s staff and volunteers, many of whom have more than ten years of service, work and live in the communities they serve. Being part of, serving, and giving back to the community is as important today as it was to our founders.

4) What does being a not-for-profit mean for patients and families?

• As a not-for-profit hospice, Tidelands Community Hospice provides hospice care and services to all regardless of their financial status or life situation. For Tidelands Community Hospice, its bottom line is based on the importance of care and relationships with its patients and families, not financial gains. 
• Its Foundation, thanks to the support of a generous community, is able to go beyond the basics of what is provided through Medicare and private insurance and provide charity care, assist in meeting the daily necessities, food, clothing, and rent, utilities of patients and families, and assist in situations beyond daily needs.

5) Who provides hospice care and where is it provided?

• Tidelands Community Hospice’s dedicated and experienced interdisciplinary team of nurses, home health aides, social workers, chaplains, bereavement and volunteer coordinators and volunteers, through listening and being guided by each patient/family needs and desires, work together to care for and meet patients and families physical, emotional, spiritual, and social needs. 

• Patients and families are cared for where they live, be it their own home, a relative’s home, a nursing home or an assisted living facility. 

“For us at Tidelands Community Hospice and Foundation, it is a privilege every day to see patients living each day to the fullest in comfort and dignity, to see their families receiving support and to see those in our community who are grieving receive comfort.” Barriedel Llorens, Foundation Director. 

Tidelands Community Hospice staff is available to answer your questions or concerns individually or to speak and hold workshops to church groups and civic organizations.

For more information, please Contact Us or reach out to Barriedel Llorens, Foundation Director, at 843-520-7714 or Barriedel.llorens@tidelandshospice.org.