Hospice is a service that provides care for individuals in their last six months of life who wish to focus on living their best life with the time they have remaining.

Hospice is a service that provides care for individuals in their last six months of life who wish to focus on living their best life with the time they have remaining. Hospice care helps patients and their families make informed choices, provides companionship to patients and respite to caregivers, provides grief support, and identifies key community services that can be of assistance. Hospice services are provided in the patient's home or place of residence (ex: nursing home, assisted living facility). The National Alliance for Care at Home advocates for and provides more information on Hospice and care at home possibilities.​

Bartlett Regional Hospital currently runs the Hospice Care services offered in Juneau. Through skilled, compassionate care, the program strives to meet the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients and families. Hospice care is most effective when it is begun early so that patients and their families can benefit from the education, support, and counseling services. Our care focuses on easing discomfort to allow our patients to focus on what is important to them.​

During the often difficult last stages of a serious illness, many people feel that they have lost control over their lives and over what will happen to them. Will I be a burden to my family? Will I be able to manage the pain? Can I stay in my home, or do I have to go to the hospital? How do I say goodbye? Hospice care can show you your options and give you back some control. It allows you to make decisions about things that are important to you and help you live as fully as possible until the end of life.

​

​

​

Palliative care is specialized medical care focused on improving the quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses by managing symptoms and stress. It's not just for those with terminal illnesses and can be received alongside curative or life-prolonging treatments. The goal is to relieve suffering and enhance well-being for both the patient and their family. It is often used in conjunction with hospice care, but it is not the same thing. 

​

​

Interested in volunteering? Click here to apply and a member of the Bartlett Regional Hospital  team will be in touch. There is no hourly requirement - make your own schedule and volunteer as much or as little as you would like.

Consider making a difference in the Juneau community by volunteering to provide support for our patients and their loved ones. 

Hospice care in Alaska is available from various providers, including both larger organizations and smaller, community-based services. Besides Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau, there are hospice providers in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and other communities. You can learn more about hospice services through area hospital websites and from the Hospice Foundation of America.