When it comes to hospice work, Kandy Mecum puts it bluntly: It’s not for everybody; it takes special people to help patients facing hospice care.
“It’s a calling,” said Ms. Mecum, the national chief operating officer of the Beacon of Hope Hospice at 1020 W. 35t St., Davenport. “Most of our employees will tell you they were called to this. … It’s not for the weak.”
Ms. Mecum praised the company’s employees and community on Thursday, July 20, as Beacon of Hope Hospice of Iowa celebrated its 30th year in the community.
As part of that celebration, the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce ambassadors presented Beacon workers with a plaque in honor of the company’s 30th anniversary.
“We love the Quad Cities, and we’re so proud to be here,” Ms. Mecum told the group of about 25 Beacon employees and people from the business community during the brief ceremony.
Beacon of Hope Hospice workers provide “healing to patients, families and communities when cure is no longer possible,” according to Beacon’s website.
“Our clinical team remains in contact with the patient’s personal physician so that the patient can have confidence that caregivers are fully informed. Our (nurse) visits to help control pain and manage symptoms, while aides are available to help with personal care and give respite to caregivers,” the website adds.
Hospice volunteers also play a big role providing a wide variety of practical and emotional assistance. Their work includes running errands, preparing light meals and visiting with the patient to give family members a reprieve.
Ms. Mecum said Beacon of Hope in Davenport has about 25 employees.
On average, a patient is in the care of Beacon of Hope for about six months, she said.
Beacon of Hope has six locations across the country. In addition to Davenport, there are Beacon of Hope sites in Galesburg, Illinois; Laughlin, Nevada; Lake Havasu City, Arizona; Bullhead City, Arizona; and Blue Springs, Missouri.
For more information about Beacon of Hope of Iowa, visit its Facebook page.
