Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado, provides end of life care to people facing an incurable illness. Such care differs from curative medicine, which focuses on restoring health.

The goal of our care is to provide comfort for the rest of the patient’s life. HPCNC’s focus is on relieving the symptoms, particularly the pain of an incurable illness. We address the psychological, social and spiritual needs of the patient and give support to the patient’s family and caregivers.

We provide care through our physicians, nurses, CNA’s, social workers, chaplains and volunteers. Care includes prescription medications, over the counter medications, medical supplies and home medical equipment related to the patient’s hospice diagnosis. Care is delivered to the patient, at home, a family member’s home, nursing home, assisted living center or our In-Patient Care Center, located on the 4th floor of North Colorado Medical Center.  If you have any further questions about HPCNC’s services, please call (970) 352-8487.

Physician Relationships

Patients can maintain their primary care physician when entering hospice. The primary care physician works with HPCNC’s Medical Director to coordinate care.

HPCNC Medical Director

Patty Mayer MD and Marsha Tallman MD are Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado’s Medical Directors. 

Dr. Patty Mayer has had a private practice in Greeley for 12 years. She received her Medical Degree from the University of Arizona. She has a Masters Degree in Bioethics and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. She and her husband Dr. Paul Hurst have lived and practiced in Greeley since they moved here in 1992, and have two daughters.

Dr. Marsha Tallman received her Medical Degree from Texas A&M. She is Board Certified in Internal Medicne and is currently a Hospitalist at North Colorado Medical Center. As of January 2010, Dr. Tallman will be the Chairman for the Department of Medicine at NCMC. She is married to Dustin Tallman, a pastor at Crossway Chapel of Greeley, and has three children. She has lived in Greeley since 2003.

Nursing Care

Our registered nurses make regularly scheduled visits to the patient in order to provide expert pain management and symptom control. Our nurses conduct training with the primary caregiver so they can provide for the patient properly and safely. While the loved one is under hospice care the nurse provides a complete spectrum of nursing services.

Our certified nurses’ assistant (CNA) provides personal care and support with activities of daily living. They give the patient hands on care such as feeding and bathing. They also perform limited household services to maintain a safe and sanitary environment in the areas of the home used by the loved one.

Our nursing staff also provides prescription medications for pain and symptom control, as well as medical equipment and the supplies necessary to promote and maintain patient comfort. We are focused on pain free management therefore; we provide assistance with personal care and activities of daily living. We will also coordinate community resources to assist the patient and family with non-medical concerns, such as meal delivery for seniors and caregiver education.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Our Social Workers

Individuals faced with a life-threatening illness will experience many changes in their lives. Hospice social workers help them assess their strengths and prioritize their needs while providing supportive counseling. The social worker educates the family about the importance of quality of life issues, as well as coordinating resources for financial and households needs, advanced directives, transportation and planning special events. 
Our social workers provide assistance with practical and financial concerns and they facilitate communication between the family and community agencies. They provide emotional support, counseling, and bereavement follow-up, while evaluating the need for other supportive services.

Our Spiritual Care 

Our chaplains provide spiritual support and are often a liaison between our patients and their religious community. They can offer compassionate services ranging from crisis help, to private and group grief support. Chaplains also often assist with memorial services and funeral arrangements.

Chaplains are sensitive to spiritual needs of individuals facing life-limiting illness. The spiritual care staff is available to hospice patients and their caregivers and work closely with their clergy or other spiritual support systems in the community.

Volunteers

Our trained volunteers provide a number of important services. Volunteers offer direct patient support, companionship and caring help. Volunteers can assist the primary caregiver by sitting with the patient to provide the caregiver respite, visit with patients or just hold a hand. Volunteers also help with clerical and administrative tasks in the office. Please refer to the Join our Team page for more information regarding volunteering.

Palliative Services

Palliative care consultations are availabe to patients in their homes, nursing homes, assisted living centers and at North Colorado Medical Center.