MILTON — Emerald Coast Hospice has made the move from Pace to Milton; Stewart Street, specifically.
The nonprofit organization’s growth made the change necessary, according to Office Manager Tina Matthews, who said an increased number of employees and clients contributed to moving across the street from the Santa Rosa County health department building.
ECH started with 12 employees and 17 patients in Pace; now, it has 44 employees and an estimated 70 patients, according to staffers.
Nicole Gardner, the manager of clinical practice, said the hospice provides multiple quality of life services to those diagnosed with dementia, lung or cardiac disease, cancer or other ailments.
In its memory care unit, volunteers, like Jeff Buchanan, work with Alzheimer’s disease patients on activities that can help bring back fond memories.
“These (Alzhiemer’s) patients have a lot of time on their hands and, while they may not necessarily be able to get the message out that they want, they are listening to everything around them,” Buchanan said. “If we can relate to that patient in some particular way, often these patients will have moments of lucidity.”
In addition, Buchanan anticipates having a couple of grief counseling groups available.
For now, ECH seeks additional volunteers, regardless of age or availability.
Jaimie Hudson, manager of volunteer services, said she will find a way to use a volunteer in the best way that suits his or her skills. For example, if a volunteer has musical talent, he or she could perform for a patient who finds music therapeutic.
Other volunteering options include serving at the office or staying with a patient, allowing a caregiver or loved one the opportunity to get out of the house for a short period of time.
Hudson said the hospice only seeks a couple of hours of volunteering per month.
Hospice administrators invite residents to visit their new location on June 20. The open house, set for noon at 5536 Stewart St., will also feature a ribbon cutting. Staffers will share information about the services they provide to such areas as Milton, Pace, Jay, Pensacola, Century, Molino and Allentown, among others.
Call 995-4664 for more information about the Milton office.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Emerald Coast Hospice open house and ribbon cutting
WHEN: noon on Monday, June 20
WHERE: 5536 Stewart St., Milton
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Emerald Coast Hospice celebrates growth, new Milton location