Five independent organizations provide end-of-life services in Addison County, hosting an unusually large number of providers and volunteers in the area and resulting in an exceptionally strong support system in which every person should have access to supportive care at the end of their life.
While the over-arching goals of extraordinary hospice and end-of-life care may be shared by each, they do each focus on different aspects of this care.
Addison County Home Health and Hospice (ACHHH)
ACHHH is a nonprofit agency with a mission to “enhance the health, dignity and independence of Addison County residents through comprehensive, patient-centered home health and hospice care.” Since 1968, ACHHH has worked directly with patients, families and other community providers to address the range of philosophical as well as programmatic services while upholding a high standard of care and respect for their patients.
ACHHH provides home care services that include skilled nursing, rehabilitation services, and medical social work, as well as ancillary support services that promote healing, quality of life and independence.Their hospice and palliative care program has access to the full range of home care services in addition to an interdisciplinary-based clinical approach to end of life care.
To learn more about Addison County Home Health and Hospice, visit achhh.org.
Hospice Volunteer Services
Hospice Volunteer Services is a not-for-profit agency committed to offering care and support to those in Addison County facing the end of life or grieving the death of a loved one. Their mission includes educating the community on dying, death, and bereavement by offering free programs and services to terminally ill patients and their families, all provided by a group of well-trained volunteers.
HVS volunteers organize hospice and palliative patient care, arrange for the Wellspring singers to perform for terminally ill patients in their homes or care facilities, offer bereavement support and peer grief groups, arrange for mealtime gatherings, and offer public education and resources through a free library open to the public.
HVS operates at no charge to patients and therefore is a community resource available for any resident facing the end of life.
To learn more about Hospice Volunteer Services, visit hospicevs.org.
University of Vermont Health Network – Porter Medical Center
Since 1925, Porter Medical Center has been providing high-quality health care to the residents Addison County Vermont and surrounding areas. Over the years, Porter has maintained a sharp focus on the community and keeping people healthy through primary care, information, and education. Porter Medical Center offers advanced technology and high quality, compassionate care provided by top-notch professionals and physicians.
To learn more about the University of Vermont Health Network – Porter Medical Center, visit portermedical.org.
University of Vermont Health Network – Helen Porter
Helen Porter Rehabilitation & Nursing is an attractive, secure residence where elders are assured of skilled nursing care and assistance with daily living. Helen Porter has accommodations for 105 people and prides itself for being a facility where privacy is honored and individuality respected. Helen Porter is a skilled and intermediate care residence which specializes in providing a home-like environment including a Memory Care Neighborhood, a Long Term Nursing Care Neighborhood, a Post Acute/Rehabilitation Neighborhood, Respite Care Services, as well as hospice and end of life care.
To learn more about Helen Porter, visit portermedical.org/helen_porter.
Addison Respite Care Home (ARCH)
Addison Respite Care Home (ARCH) is a non-profit which has established end-of-life care rooms within the Helen Porter complex and Porter Medical Center.
There are currently four ARCH rooms between Helen Porter and Porter Medical Center, each one dedicated to individuals seeking end-of-life care who are unable to complete their lives at home.
The three rooms at Helen Porter include a hospital bed, an over sized pullout sleep chair, a television, Wifi, a music system, custom furniture crafted by local artists, hand made bed quilts, and a private bathroom. A fourth room, the ARCH Estuary, opened in April 2015 in Porter Hospital. The ARCH Estuary is a large private room with adjoining family room.
The rooms are only part of the overall delivery of hospice care: a program of palliative and supportive care services providing psychological, social and spiritual care for dying persons, their families, and loved ones.  The delivery of care to the residents is administered by trained professionals from Helen Porter; Porter Hospital, Addison County Home Health and Hospice, Hospice Volunteer Services, and primary care providers.
To learn more about ARCH, visit addisonrespitecarehome.org.