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Facts & Figures

Avow Hospice is a non-profit, independent community hospice, created and managed by a volunteer Board of Directors. We were established as Hospice of Naples, Inc. in 1983 and operated under that name until October 26, 2007 when we became Avow Hospice, Inc.

We employ approximately 200 people, including full time physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, social workers, bereavement counselors, certified nurse’s aides, chaplains, a Spanish language team, pediatric team, massage therapists, certified music therapist and Reiki practitioners. Over half of our clinical staff and managers are nationally certified in their specialty of hospice and palliative care.

Anyone can make a referral to us– a doctor, a neighbor, a family member, or sick people themselves. We never turn anyone away because they cannot pay.

More than 350 people volunteer their time to support us.

Our employees, volunteers and Board members are involved in a campaign to raise awareness of Avow Hospice in our community.  The goal is to bring the message of Avow to every resident of Collier County.

Who We Serve

  • We care for terminally ill patients of any age, with any disease, who are expected to die within six months. Most patients live at home, but we also provide care in our county’s hospitals, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities, jails and shelters.

 

  • We care for approximately 1,800 patients annually throughout all of Collier County, plus thousands of their family members and community members.  98% of our families when surveyed say they would recommend our services to others.

 

Average Daily Census = 239 patients*

Average Length of Stay = 55 days*

Median Length of Stay = 11 days*

* Data averages from June 2011

Our Services

Core services for patients:

  • Medical care by physicians and nurses who specialize in comfort care
  • Supplies, equipment and prescription medicines needed to treat the terminal illness, delivered to the patient’s home
  • Spiritual care by nondenominational clergy
  • Personal care assistance including bathing, shaving, nail and hair care
  • Expertise of a social worker to manage personal and family affairs

 “Extra” services for patients, beyond what’s required and covered by Medicare:

  • Massage therapy
  • Reiki therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Pet visits by volunteers and their trained, certified pets
  • Our Crisis Care Team of nurses & aides provide 24/7 care during a crisis. Our volunteer Doulas act as companions to patients or couples who are ‘home alone’ so they don’t have to be alone, especially at death.
  • We provide more direct nursing and physician care, more grief support, more volunteer support, more medications, transportation, equipment and supplies than most hospices nationwide.
  • The Avow CareLink Line (239-261-4404) connects callers 24/7 to an Avow Hospice registered nurse who can answer questions and send help right away.

Services for patient family members

  • Bereavement support for a minimum 13 months following a loved one’s death
  • Special bereavement groups for the newly bereaved and those who need ongoing focused support
  • Open support groups throughout the county
  • Volunteer program to help transition family members to independence in daily tasks such as budgeting, bill paying, simple home maintenance, cooking, laundry, more

Community services open to all

  • Memorial services in Naples, Marco Island, Immokalee
  • Memorial courtyards honoring people and pets, where families can visit 24/7
  • Community education on end-of-life care and palliative care topics
  • Support for those who have lost an infant
  • Children’s bereavement counseling workshops throughout Collier County schools
  • Grief workshops for children and adults
  • Outreach activities in all corners of the county
  • Caregiver support workshops, including sessions focused on symptoms and treatments of specific diseases such as congestive heart failure and dementia
  • Pet loss support, pet memorial services, pet memorial garden

 Alliances and partnerships

  • Palliative care consultations to physicians of hospitalized patients of NCH Healthcare System
  • Pediatric palliative care as a participant in the Partners In Care – Together for Kids (PIC-TFK) program for children enrolled in Children’s Medical Services Network
  • Community Advisory Boards in Naples, Immokalee and Marco Island, and with community faith leaders, physicians and those interested in pet-related services
  • Clinical rotations for students in medicine, nursing, social work, chaplaincy studies

Our Locations and Facilities

  • We operate Frances Georgeson Hospice House, the only free-standing hospice inpatient facility in Collier County. It offers a “safety net” to patients and families experiencing a crisis in care. Patients can stay at Georgeson House instead of checking into a hospital or facility. Georgeson House has 16 beds, providing around the clock intensive pain and symptom management, respite and end-of-life care.
  • Our main campus is on Whippoorwill Lane (Pine Ridge Road west of I-75). The Frances Georgeson Hospice House is also located at our main campus. We also have an Immokalee office, a Marco Island office and Treasures & Books resale shop.
  • We operate Ispiri, a community facility adjacent to our administration building.  It houses bereavement offices and provides a peaceful place for meetings, family gatherings, educational sessions and more.

 How We are Funded

  • Our 2011 annual budget was approximately $17.8 million. Approximately 94% of our funding comes from Medicare, Medicaid and insurance payments.
  • We are paid a flat daily rate per patient, regardless of how much care we provide.  For example, we receive the same payment for providing 10 visits to a patient in 10 days as for providing 21 visits in 10 days.
  • We rely on donations to pay for non-reimbursed care, including community bereavement services. The community donates over $2.5 million annually to help pay for patient care.
  • We are raising $10 million through the Promise Campaign for Avow Hospice. Funds will be used for operations, endowment and new memorial opportunities on our campus.

Quality Indicators

  • We are Medicare certified, licensed by the state and accredited by The Joint Commission – the Gold Seal of Approval™ in health care
  • 98% of our families when surveyed say they would recommend our services to others.
  • Employee turnover less than 5% annually
  • Majority of clinical staff members are certified in hospice and palliative care
  • Every quarter we score in the top five national health care quality indicators
  • Staff and programs recognized with national, state and local awards for excellence, innovation
  • One of the largest health care employers in the county
  • No debt and healthy reserves
  • The majority of our annual donations come from families and friends of our patients

 How You can Help

  • Call us any time at 239-261-4404 to:
    • Refer a patient, friend, family member or yourself
    • Request more information on our services
    • Ask a member of our staff to speak to your group or at your event
    • Talk to a bereavement counselor
    • Find out about volunteer opportunities
    • Make a donation or discuss ways to give

 Information posted August, 2011.

To discuss any aspect of our care, call us at 239-261-4404.