Editorial: Hospice draws effusive praise

Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2005 | 8:49 a.m.

No conversation about Southern Nevada's care for the terminally ill would be complete without including the quality of hospice. Currently there are 56 inpatient hospice beds in three locations. Of those beds, 34 belong to the Nathan Adelson Hospice, which has plans to add another 16 beds in Henderson.

The Nathan Adelson Hospice, which opened in 1978, was one of the first in the nation. Nathan Adelson, a philanthropist and administrator of Sunrise Hospital, died in 1977, and his son, Merv, along with family friend Irwin Molasky, founded the hospice in his honor.

Nathan Adelson Hospice, along with nine other companies, also provides care in private homes, nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.

Hospice organizations provide care to terminally ill patients and ease the grieving process for their families. Inpatients are kept comfortable by doctors, nurses and aides in homelike settings. Outpatient care provides a similar level of service.

The Nathan Adelson Hospice has a foundation that raises money to pay for expenses that a patient's Medicare or private insurance will not cover.

Las Vegas Sun reporter Michelle Swafford recently checked in with several people who have experienced first-hand the care in area hospices. All were effusive in their praise. The many people working to make hospice such a quality experience have earned the appreciation of everyone in Southern Nevada.