Ever since Tracy Sanders, president of Continuum Care Inc, opened the door of a hospice business, her vision has been to provide end-of-life care to all, regardless of their ability to pay.
Sanders says more than one-third of the population of St. Croix is uninsured or under insured.
“When they come to the end of life there is nothing for them and their family,” Sanders says. “The ultimate goal is a peaceful life closure for everyone.”
Hospice care is now available for the needy through the Continuum Care Foundation.
Sander’s vision to help the needy began to come to fruition with the help of the St. Croix Yacht Club. Last February at the St. Croix International Regatta awards ceremony, $2,200 was donated to Continuum Care. The Yacht Club has become affiliated with the National Hospice Regatta Alliance as a named sponsor. The regatta, held annually in February, is now St. Croix Yacht Club Hospice Regatta. As a charity race, 100 percent of tax deductible funds raised during the all volunteer race will go to support end-of-life medical needs of St. Croix residents.
Sanders says Julie San Martin, past Yacht Club commodore and regatta chair, was the impetus to get the foundation going. San Martin had the need for hospice care for a family member and was touched by hospice assistance.
The goal of hospice is to provide care to the terminally ill at home or in a supportive environment. Hospice care is provided to patients who have limited life expectancy.
“We concentrate on quality of life and not the quantity in the number of days,” Sanders says.
Hospice emphasizes palliative and not curative treatment. The dying are comforted with medical care, providing sophisticated symptom relief. The patient and family are included in the care plan.
“We start with a blank sheet of paper,” Sanders says. “We get with the family, patient and care givers and let them know what we offer and they let us know what they want and need.”
Emotional, spiritual and practical support is given based on patient’s wishes and the family’s needs. The hospice care is provided by the patients’ primary care physician, hospice nurses, hospice aides, social workers, chaplains and nutritionists. There is a 24/7 phone answering service.
Normally the services are covered under Medicare Part A Benefit or other private insurance plans.
“No insurance – no problem,” Sanders says.
Those who aren’t eligible for hospice under Medicare or those uninsured can at least at this point get medicine and medical equipment through the Continuum Care Foundation, which is currently under the St. Croix Foundation. Sanders says there has been $20,000 donated by a few generous donors.
Sanders says they are expecting 501c3 non profit status any day. At this time, those who want to donate can send it to the St. Croix Foundation at P.O. Box 1128, Christiansted, V.I. 00820, making a notation that it is intended for the Continuum Care Foundation. Further information can be obtained by calling 772-2273.
Sanders, the founder of Continuum Care Inc., has been a registered nurse for more than 30 years. She says CCI has provided care to more than 1,000 patients since opening in 2000 on St. Croix. The organization expanded to St. Thomas and St. John in 2004. Sanders is also the AARP Grief and Loss coordinator for the Virgin Islands.
“At the end of life the goal of hospice is to keep the patient comfortable in their home and surrounded by family and friends,” Sanders says.