In 1998, Casa de la Luz Hospice was created to provide sensitivity, care and support for patients and their loved ones in the final phase of their life. Two women, who for the previous 13 years, had dedicated their professional lives to the home health industry, founded Casa de la Luz Hospice. These founders had three goals in mind when visioning their new venture: first, they wanted to deliver comfort care far beyond what most organizations were offering patients and their loved ones; second, to assemble a group of employees and volunteers who would be bound together with a common set of values and a strong work ethic; and third, to build an organization that offered financial security and professional growth to all employees and volunteers. To fulfill this vision, the founders identified core values that would serve as the essential guiding principles of the organization.

Lynette E. Jaramillo, Executive Director, has more than 30 years of management experience. She is a proactive and highly motivated leader with exceptional problem-solving skills. From 1990 to 1995 she was the Arizona Area Manager of the second largest national home care provider. In 1995, she opened the southeastern Arizona market for a privately owned home health agency which grew to be the largest privately owned home health agency in Tucson. She left in 1998 after the agency was sold to a regional home care provider. After leaving the home health agency, Ms. Jaramillo partnered with Agnes C. Poore to found Casa de la Luz Hospice.

Agnes C. Poore, Patient Services Director, has nearly 40 years in clinical nursing management. From 1990 to 1998 she was the Clinical Director of Home Health for two large national home care organizations and the largest privately owned home health agency in Tucson. In 1993, she received national recognition with the Professional Achievement Award from Interim HealthCare. Ms. Poore served as a member of the Arizona State Board of Nursing RN Scope of Practice Committee from 1994 to 1999 and was honored to be selected as one of Tucson’s 1999 “Fabulous Fifty” Nurses. She was a member of the Pima Community College Nursing Advisory Board from 1991-1998 and was inducted into the Salpointe Catholic High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame in 2009. Ms. Poore is a member of Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society, and has served on the Arizona Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Board of Directors since 2005, currently as Past President. She is also an Affiliate member of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

In November of 1998, Ms. Jaramillo and Ms. Poore formed Casa de la Luz Hospice, LLC, with the intention of providing superior hospice services to the Tucson community as Casa de la Luz Hospice. It is the only privately owned and managed hospice in our community. The owners are committed to providing superior care and are personally involved in the day-to-day operations of the company. The strategy for meeting the competition is to provide superior, more personalized care.

Casa de la Luz Hospice is a member of the Arizona Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

An interdisciplinary team of Casa de la Luz Hospice professionals and volunteers provides hospice care. This team forms a community of care, with patients and their loved ones at its center. Casa team members meet with patients and families and continue to make scheduled visits according to needs. Our hospice care is available, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Attending Physician and the Hospice Medical Director
     Together, the attending physician and the hospice medical director determine whether an individual is medically eligible to receive hospice care. The hospice medical director is available to supplement the attending physician's care with specialized medical expertise, and routinely directs and approves the care provided by the hospice team.

The Nurse Case Manager
     The primary hospice nurse is a licensed and skilled professional who specializes in end of life care. The nurse works with patients and their caregivers to identify their goals and to develop a plan of care. S/he serves as a skilled and compassionate guide and teacher. S/he will provide for physical care, necessary medications and equipment, and instruction to caregivers. S/he maintains close contact with the attending physician, the hospice medical director, and other Casa team members.

The Home Health Aide
     The home health aide specializes in end of life care and provides personal assistance that is sensitive to individual physical needs and concerns. The aide is available to teach patients and caregivers about comfort care and physical safety, and is often a source of emotional support.

The Social Worker
     The social worker is skilled in end of life planning as well as individual and family counseling. Soon after a patient is admitted to hospice care, s/he meets with them and their caregivers to learn how s/he can assist with practical and emotional concerns. The social worker serves as a direct link to many helpful community resources. S/he works in collaboration with the spiritual counselor to provide emotional support and counseling to individuals, family members, children, friends, and caregivers.

The Spiritual Counselor
     Casa de la Luz Hospice honors the diversity of faith traditions and spiritual beliefs of those we serve. The spiritual counselor may join with patients and their loved ones as a trusted companion, inviting positive spiritual exploration, comfort, and growth. S/he may serve as a resource, connecting individuals to the faith community of their choice. As desired, the spiritual counselor may offer sacrament, scripture reading, and prayer. S/he is available to help plan and/or officiate at memorial services. S/he works closely with the social worker to provide emotional support and counseling to individuals, family members, children, friends, and caregivers.

The Volunteer Coordinator and Volunteers
     Each Casa volunteer has successfully completed a specialized end of life training program and is selected, supervised, and supported by the volunteer coordinator. Casa volunteers provide companionship and support, respite for family members, and other practical, non-medical services. Some lend their professional expertise within our complementary alternative therapies program. They each bring unique gifts to those they serve. The volunteer coordinator serves as a liaison for this valued service.

The Therapist and Dietician
     These therapists offer services aimed toward safety and comfort. Therapies may include relaxation and energy conservation training, services for speech and swallowing problems, and nutrition and dietary counseling.

The Bereavement Coordinator
     In keeping with our promise to care for patients and their loved ones, Casa provides bereavement services for thirteen months after the death of an individual in our care. The bereavement coordinator may serve as a caring companion throughout the healing journey of grief, providing individual and group bereavement counseling, and information regarding other bereavement services. In addition, Casa offers bereavement support groups, open to all bereaved members of the Tucson community, regardless of when the loss occurred. A mailing series helps maintain our contact and support. Twice a year, Casa de la Luz Hospice holds a Celebration of Life memorial honoring those who have lived and died in our care.

The Administrative Support Staff
     During office hours callers are greeted by a member of our administrative support staff. They link patients and caregivers to their hospice team members. As required, the patient services supervisor is available to assess needs immediately by phone. S/he is an experienced hospice nurse. After office hours, our answering service responds to all calls and as needed, immediately contacts the Casa on-call staff.

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