Here at Suburban Hospice, we are closely monitoring and following all suggestions from the CDC, the Indiana State Department of Health, and Hancock Health, our parent organization. We feel fortunate to work in a county that has been focusing for some time on a healthy public health initiative, and we are confident that the “best practices” we have established will serve us well in our continuing care for our patients and families. In light of this ever-changing situation, we want to reassure you of the following:

• Our team (RNs, aides, social workers, and chaplains) will continue to see patients and families in the home and on our unit;
• We are taking all necessary precautions to stop the inadvertent spread of germs by adhering carefully to all hand-washing and protection protocols;
• Our team is very aware that we are working with a vulnerable population and thus will limit contact or hand off visits to another RN if anyone experiences exposure to the virus or other illnesses of concern;
• We encourage all our patients and families to stay in continual touch with us and expect the same reliable care they always receive (call 833-888-7222 with questions or concerns);
• We ask all our patients and families (and the population at large) to observe precautions to stay well during this time (wash your hands, avoid touching your face, stay away from crowds, eat well, get enough rest, stay hydrated, etc.)
• Experts recommend “social distancing,” which is an important way to help limit the spread of the virus, but don’t let that make you feel isolated and alone. Reach out to friends and family through social media, by phone, by texting. Read things that reassure and inspire you. Develop techniques that help you lessen the fear that can grow exponentially in situations like this. If you need suggestions on this, please send an email to Katherine Murray (kmurray@suburbanhospice.org) and she will send along some resources about mindfulness techniques (which are helpful for lessening anxiety).

Above all else, do your best to stay well, love each other, and know that we’re here to help–as reliably and as faithfully as ever.