FLORIDA HOSPICE LICENSE 5022096 SINCE 1983 | (239) 261-4404 | AVOWCARES.ORG
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Table of Contents
A Letter from Our President ................................................................................................................................. 3
Who We Are............................................................................................................................................................ 4
Avow Services & Support .................................................................................................................................... 5
Hospice Care Team ............................................................................................................................................... 6
Hospice Levels of Care ........................................................................................................................................ 8
Why Avow? .......................................................................................................................................................... 10
Additional Services ............................................................................................................................................. 11
Admission to Avow: What Comes Next? ........................................................................................................ 13
Frequently Asked Questions ............................................................................................................................ 14
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A Letter from our President
Since 1983, Avow has had the privilege of serving Collier County, offering
compassionate, expert care during some of life’s most difcult moments. Thanks to
the trust of our community, and the commitment of our dedicated team, we are able
to provide unparalleled care and services to every individual who needs us.
At Avow, we understand that each journey is unique, and we are here to guide you
through it with dignity, comfort, and support. Whether you or your loved one are
in need of hospice care, palliative care, or grief support, we are proud to be your
trusted partner every step of the way. Our team of physicians, nurses, counselors,
and volunteers are specially trained to provide personalized care, addressing not only the
medical needs but also the emotional and spiritual well-being of those we serve.
As a nonprot organization, we remain deeply committed to serving the community with a patient-centered
approach that always prioritizes the comfort and peace of mind of our patients and their families. We believe
in creating an environment where people can feel heard, valued, and cared for, especially during challenging
times of transition.
This booklet provides an overview of the many services and programs we offer. From expert hospice care in the
home to comprehensive grief support programs, our goal is to meet the individual needs of every patient and
family we serve.
Thank you for considering Avow as a partner in care. We are honored to support you and your loved ones
during this important journey.
Warmest regards,
Jaysen Roa | President & CEO Avow Companies
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Focuses on comfort care
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Is appropriate for anyone with any life-limiting diagnosis
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Is provided by a team of hospice experts working together, guided by a Plan of Care, specically designed
for each patient
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Is generally provided in the patient’s home or wherever they call home
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Includes services such as physical care, counseling, medication, medical equipment and supplies related to
the patient’s terminal illness and related conditions
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Provides support for the family members and caregivers
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Is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Who We Are
At Avow, we are committed to providing compassionate care for individuals of all ages, guiding them through
some of life’s most challenging transitions. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to offer comfort and support,
helping both patients and their families nd peace of mind during difcult times. We are proud to be recognized
as the leading choice for hospice care in Southwest Florida. As a nonprot organization, Avow specializes in
hospice care, palliative care, and grief support services, offering a comprehensive approach to meet the unique
needs of each patient and their loved ones.
The hospice benet was introduced to the federal Medicare program in 1983 as a new way to care for the
whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Designed to support both the patient and their family, this benet ensures
that individuals facing serious illness receive the compassionate care they deserve, with a focus on enhancing
quality of life during their most critical moments.
Hospice Care:
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Avow Services & Support
Avow offers much more than just medical care for individuals nearing the end of life. When a patient enters
hospice care, our team works closely with the patient and their family to create a personalized Plan of Care that
addresses their unique needs and wishes.
Based on the patient’s diagnosis and related conditions, this Plan of Care may include a range of Medicare-
covered services tailored to the individual’s situation, including:
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Physician services
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Skilled nursing care
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Medical equipment (such as wheelchairs, oxygen, special mattresses, and other items to enhance comfort)
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Prescription medications
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Hospice aide assistance
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Physical and occupational therapy, when approved and ordered by the hospice physician
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Support from a social worker to connect the patient and family with additional community resources
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Speech-language pathology services, if approved by the hospice physician
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Grief and loss support for the patient and the patient’s family
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Companionship and visits from volunteers
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Short-term inpatient care
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Short-term respite care to provide relief for the patient’s caregivers
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Any other Medicare covered services needed to manage the patient’s terminal illness and related
conditions, as recommended by the Avow team.
Each element of the Plan of Care is designed to provide comprehensive support, improving both the quality of
life and the comfort of the patient during this important time.
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Hospice Care Team at Avow
The Avow team works with patients and their caregivers to ensure that all care focuses on comfort and
improving quality of life. The team works with patients and their families to develop a Plan of Care based on
their specic needs and goals. The number of visits by each team member is determined by the individual Plan
of Care for each patient.
Nurse Case Manager
Provides nursing care and coordinates with other team members to ensure all symptoms are managed and
that goals of care are addressed. The case manager provides education to the patient and caregiver on using
medical equipment and supplies, administering medications, and managing symptoms.
Medical Team
Physicians and nurse practitioners who focus on pain and symptom management and conduct visits as needed.
They coordinate care with the patient’s personal physician. They can serve as the hospice patient’s attending
physician if the patient chooses.
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Social Workers
Provide emotional support and counseling to cope with illness, loss, and grief. They assist with completing
advance directives and holding goals-of-care conversations. Social workers can also help connect patients and
families to community resources as needed.
Chaplains
Offer non-denominational spiritual support and/or religious support as requested.
Home Health Aides
Provide patients with assistance in personal care, such as bathing or shaving, dressing, feeding, changing bed
linens, light meal preparation, and more as detailed in the Plan of Care.
Trained Volunteers
Provide support to patients and their loved ones by offering a variety of services including companionship,
caregiver respite, and running errands.
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Hospice Levels of Care
Under the Medicare Hospice Benet, Avow provides four levels of care for hospice patients.
Home Care
Care is delivered at home by a team of end-of-life care experts. This includes nurses, physicians, nurse
practitioners, home health aides, social workers, chaplains, volunteers and other Avow specialists.
In consultation with the patient and the patient’s loved ones, the Avow care team develops an
Individualized Plan of Care. The number and types of visits a patient receives each week depend entirely
upon the patient’s needs as outlined in the Plan of Care. More than 90% of all Medicare patients receive
hospice care in the place they call home, which may be a private residence, assisted living facility, or a
long-term care facility.
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Inpatient Care
Inpatient care is available when a patient experiences an increase in pain and/or other symptoms that can
be best managed in an inpatient setting. Inpatient care is intended for short lengths of stay-usually ve days
or fewer. Our inpatient care center, Frances Georgeson Hospice House, is located in Naples and is staffed
by end-of-life care experts.
Continuous Care
Sometimes a patient’s increase in pain and/or symptoms can be managed safely at home with nurses and
home health aides at the bedside. Like inpatient care, continuous care is intended for short lengths of time.
Respite Care
Family caregivers work hard to provide for the comfort and safety of their loved ones. Family caregivers
may need to take an occasional break from those responsibilities. It may be to attend their own personal
appointments, attend an event, or they may just need a break from the rigors of providing day-to-day care
over an extended time. Avow provides respite care services to relieve the family caregiver.
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Why Avow?
There are many things Avow does to stand out from other hospices in Florida. Each is an essential piece in a
puzzle that completes a community-based, not-for-prot hospice and serious illness provider dedicated exclusively
to the care of the communities it is privileged to serve.
Avow creates peace of mind by providing compassionate care and support
to those who need us.
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Avow has deep roots in Southwest Florida. We were established here in 1983 by volunteers and community
members as the county’s rst hospice. Since then, we have grown to become one of the largest hospices in
the US, thanks to the commitment of our dedicated team. We also pioneered non-hospice palliative care in
Collier County, offering services beginning in 2003.
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Avow bereavement and grief counselors actively work across the area to provide support for bereaved
families. From one-on-one counseling to active support groups, Avow has been the leading provider of grief
support in Southwest Florida for over 40 years.
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The Avow Kids program and Aunt Janet’s House provide support and resources to children who have
suffered loss. Additionally, Avow helps children process and heal from divorce, the loss of a friend, instability
in the foster care system, and deployed parents and family members. The program provides an opportunity
for kids to develop coping skills, communication skills, and to recognize that they are not alone in their grief.
Workshops and camps for children ages 5-17 focus on companionship, building trust, and discussions with
peers who are also grieving.
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Avow is governed by a local Board of Directors comprised of community, business, and health leaders who
understand the community Avow serves. Like you, they live and work here.