In 1998, Casa de la
Luz Hospice was created to provide sensitive physical,
emotional, and spiritual care to individuals in the final phase
of life, and their loved ones. The founders are two Tucsonan
women who are involved in the day-to-day patient care and the
overall management of the hospice.
Lynette E. Jaramillo, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, has more than 25 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 is active in Women in Health Care and other community
organizations.
Agnes C. Poore, Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer, has over 30 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. Ms. Poore received national recognition with
the Professional Achievement Award from Interim HealthCare. She
has served as a member of the Arizona State Board of Nursing
Scope of Practice Committee from 1994 to 1999. She was selected
as one of Tucson's 1999 "Fabulous Fifty" Nurses. She is a
member of the National Hospice and Palliative Nurses
Association, and serves on the state board of Arizona Hospice
and Palliative Care Organization.
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"Agnes and I wanted to reach far beyond the usual and customary
hospice service in Tucson. Everything from opening Kanmar Place
(Tucson's only residential hospice home) to the design of the
inpatient unit, is a reflection of our commitment to our
community."
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Lynette E. Jaramillo,
Co-Founder
"Our core values are held absolutely fundamental to Casa de la
Luz Hospice as a reminder of who we are, what we stand for, and
what we are about. It is essential to the fulfillment of our
mission and future."
- Agnes C. Poore,
Co-Founder
"At Casa, we're giving hope and encouragement that the patient
will feel and do better, we're not as focused on how much longer
a patient is going to live as we are on how much more quality
and symptom management we can provide."
-Evan Kligman, M.D.
Associate Medical Director
for the Inpatient Unit
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This is a painting that has
graced the office of Casa de la Luz Hospice since its beginning. The
presence of this angel, name and origin unknown, brings us
inspiration and comfort and we share it with you. |
"Our Mission is to provide superior care to patients and their loved
ones, so that they may complete their mission on this earth in comfort, dignity and harmony."
Lynette Jaramillo
Chief Executive Officer
Agnes Poore, RN
Chief Clinical Officer
Since 1972, hospice services have been available in Tucson. Casa de la Luz' founders wanted to reach far beyond the usual
and customary hospice service in Tucson. They created a company comprised
of exceptional employees, guided by mutual values. To guide the leaders
and employees of Casa de la Luz the founders established four core values
as their guiding principles. These core values enrich our lives and
the lives of every person we come in contact with - patients, employees and our community.
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Committed to Our Patients: "We Recognize the Uniqueness of
Each Individual." We acknowledge the unique physical, emotional,
psychological, and spiritual needs of each person. We strive to
extend the highest level of courtesy and service to patients, families,
caregivers, visitors and each other.
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Committed to Our Employees: "We Treat People With Dignity
and Consideration." We take personal responsibility for creating
an open environment that will enable us to maximize our contributions
to patients and the community. We respect and recognize the wholeness
of the individual by encouraging balance among business, personal,
and family commitments.
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Committed to Leadership: "We Lead By Example." We take
personal responsibility to uphold the highest standards of ethics
and honesty in all we do. We engage in a wide range of continuing
education for hospice personnel and volunteers, and other educational
programs for professionals and the public.
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Committed to Excellence: "We Strive to Create an Environment
of Teamwork and Participation." Through continuous performance
improvement, people pursue excellence and take pride in their work,
the organization, and their personal development. We believe that
the quality of our human resources - hospice personnel, physicians,
and volunteers - is the key to our continued success. We maintain
financial viability through a cost-effective operation to meet the
hospice's long-term commitment to the community.
This statement of values is held as absolutely fundamental to Casa de la Luz Hospice to remind
us who we are, what we stand for, and what we are about. These values
are essential to the proper fulfillment of our mission and our future.
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Tom enjoyed his hospice visits. They always treated him as an individual, laughing and talking with him.
He had lots of stories to tell, and they enjoyed listening to him.
Mary, beloved wife of a former Casa patient
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 complimentary 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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National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization |
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Arizona Hospice &
Palliative Care Orgranization |
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National Hospice &
Palliative Care Organization |
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