a volunteer hospice organization established 1977
a volunteer hospice organization established 1977
Our Center's Namesake
Dorothy D. Rupe
Our Mission
Hospice of San Luis Obispo County, committed to the dignity of the human experience, provides volunteer support, education, and counseling to those living with life threatening or terminal illness, their families, and the bereaved.
Locations
Hospice San Luis Obispo
1304 Pacific Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone: 805.544.2266
Street Map
Hospice Paso Robles
1345 Oak Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Phone: 805.434.1164
Street Map
Hours
San Luis Obispo
Monday - Friday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Paso Robles
by Appointment
Hospice Links:
Community Links:
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History and Philosophy of Volunteer Hospices in the United States
The American hospice movement started in the 1960s as a grassroots, volunteer intensive approach to serve children and adults dealing with grief or a life threatening or terminal illness. Around the country, volunteer hospices continue to offer these services free of charge, depending instead on the generosity of their local communities.
Due to the success both service wise and financially, the hospice movement shifted dramatically to Medicare-certified programs by the late 1980s. Although the Medicare benefit has had a powerful effect on providing credibility and financial security to the hospice movement, it limits services to potential clients based on their treatment choices. Volunteer hospices dedicate themselves to providing access to all who are grieving or dying in the community, regardless of whether a condition or situation meets federal Medicare requirements.
Unlike Medicare-certified programs, volunteer hospices can serve those who choose chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery with a curative focus. Although volunteer hospices do not provide skilled medical care, they offer an array of services that are comprehensive and which would be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve in a setting restricted by third party reimbursements or regulatory mechanisms. For example, in considering bereavement follow-up, a volunteer hospice has no statutes of limitation whereas most Medicare-certified hospices must limit or restrict bereavement services to survivors for up to 13 months after their loved one's death.
Invaluable Lifeline to Grieving and Dying Residents of
San Luis Obispo County
Many individuals in San Luis Obispo County do not die while on a Medicare hospice program, but die in hospitals, prisons, or suddenly from catastrophic medical conditions, motor vehicle accidents, suicide or violent crime. As a volunteer hospice, Hospice of San Luis Obispo County provides an invaluable lifeline to surviving friends and family members who are trying to pick up the pieces of their lives.
Hospice of San Luis Obispo County has a staff of skilled, licensed mental health professionals who manage core programs and supervise 200 professionally trained volunteers. Hospice's staff and volunteers offer in-home support, grief counseling, wellness programs, bi-lingual services, community crisis response, community education, and training to more than 6,000 individuals annually.
About Hospice of San Luis Obispo County
Summary of Standards as a Volunteer Hospice
Our Volunteer Hospice Status
If you need help coping with a loss, caring for a seriously ill loved one, or dealing with your own mortality, please call us at 805.544.2266 or 805.434.1164. We're here to help.