Pay It Forward: Hospice of Eastern Idaho
Eastern Idaho now has a new hospice home. Hospice of Eastern Idaho has been around for 30 years. They have always wanted to create a hospice home. Now, it's a reality. The ribbon cutting for the new facility was held in August.
"We've been waiting for this for a long time," said hospice nurse Dawn Williams.
The hospice home is a temporary place for patient care, not permanent like a nursing home.
"Having an in patient unit like we are having here allows patients who are near the end of their life that maybe don't have caregivers that at that time in their life don't want to move into an assisted living or a nursing home," said executive director Celeste Eld.
"It's a pleasure to be able to give somebody the opportunity to pass away in a humane and dignified way and location," said medical director Dr. Scott Taylor.
Donations and sponsors contributed to make this new facility possible.
Eyewitness News anchor Todd Kunz caught Eld and board chair Diane Key outside the main offices to "Pay It Forward."
"Celeste and Diane, how are you?" said Kory Carling with Mountain America Credit Union walking up to them in the parking lot.
"Hi, I'm good. How are you?" said Eld.
"Good. I'm Kory with Mountain America Credit Union."
"Oh, my goodness. Hi Kory. How are you?" said Eld.
"Doing well. We've heard so much about what you guys are doing and the services you are providing for our community, that we are here to help pay it forward," said Carling.
"Oh, my goodness," said Eld.
"And help you and your cause. So we've brought today with us $500 in cash," said Carling.
"Oh my word!" said Eld.
"We hope you can put to good use to continue your services and benefit our community," said Carling.
"Oh, absolutely," said Eld.
"So with our pleasure, we would like to present that to you," said Carling.
"Oh, that is fabulous. Thank you so very much," said Eld.
"You are very welcome," said Carling.
"Thank you, thank you," said Key.
"What a surprise. That is so sweet. You know, we have said this community is so generous and so supportive and we are just always in awe and very appreciative and it will go to good use. I promise," said Eld.
"Perfect. That's what we hope so," said Carling.
The hospice home started taking patients in September. Click here for more information or call Hospice of Eastern Idaho at 208-529-0342.
"Pay It Forward" will air the second Wednesday of every month. If you know of a nonprofit organization or someone who deserves to be recognized for their contributions to the area, click on "Pay It Forward" off to the right side of our website and fill out the form or send an email to Eyewitness News anchor Todd Kunz at tkunz@kidk.com.
