November marks the 15-year anniversary of Shore Home Care and Hospice, an affiliate of Shore Health System that provides skilled home care services, hospice care and the “Lifeline” personal response system to Mid-Shore residents. The anniversary was recognized in conjunction with November’s National Home Care Month and Hospice Month with a special celebration breakfast held at Shore Home Care and Hospice’s offices on 121 Federal Street in Easton.

“Over the past 15 years, Shore Home Care and Hospice has evolved and grown to become an invaluable and essential asset to our community,” said Rita Holley, MS, BSN, RN, Director for Shore Home Care and Hospice. “We are working to ensure that we provide that important continuum of care for patients as they navigate from the hospital to home.”

Shore Home Care and Hospice professionals offer their skills, experience and caring support to patients when they require specialized medical services. Shore Home Care provides services to patients after they are discharged from the hospital, rehabilitation centers and nursing homes as well as to people who are ill at home.

Hospice care focuses on the quality of life rather than length of life. Under the medical direction of Lakshmi Vaidyanathan, MD, who is board certified as a Diplomate in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, the Shore Home Care Hospice team of nurses, social workers, hospice aides, and physical, occupational and speech therapists helps patients and families review their options when they are facing the end of life.

Shore Health System hospice services are provided to patients in their homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and in the guest wings operated by the Talbot and Caroline Hospice Foundations.

“This is not just a job for our staff – it is a lifestyle,” said Holley. “When you do this kind of work, it lives with you and stays with you. It is such an honor to provide this service to our community.”

For more information about Shore Home Care and Hospice, call 410-820-6052 and visit www.shorehealth.org/services/shc.

In photo: Rita Holley, MS, BSN, RN, Director for Shore Home Care and Hospice, is pictured with the Shore Home Care and Hospice and employees who have 15 or more years of service: from left, Penny Deshields, Clinical Information Processor; Roxie Palmer, Home Health Aide; Carolyn Duvall, OTRR, Lifeline Coordinator; Lisa Glessner, RN, Hospice Nurse; Caren Grant, RN, Customer Service Intake Nurse; Kelly Lord, Home Health Supervisor; Trish Focht, RN, Hospice Supervisor; and Pete Fox, RN, Hospice Nurse