FRIENDS OF CAROLINE HOSPICE
Beauty, Care, and Respect
story by MICAH PEPPERS photos by PAUL NURNBERG
“The end of life deserves as much beauty, care, and respect as the beginning.”
– Anonymous
Lindsay Roberg set out to become a nurse. She had no idea how working a short stint in hospice care to get her degree would completely change the trajectory of her life’s purpose. Eleven years later, she is the president and chief executive officer at Friends of Caroline Hospice in Beaufort.
“From a nursing student standpoint, hospice care was maybe a chapter we read, but once I got into it, I saw what it was really about, and how nurses and caregivers could truly make a difference in a person’s life. We are able to spend a lot of time at our patient’s bedside, and we get to truly know them. We do our best to make positive changes for people,” Lindsay explains. “When I began in May 2013, I started off as the director of Clinical Operations. I ran that for a couple of years and then became the executive director.”
Friends of Caroline Hospice opened its doors in 1977. The nonprofit organization was the first one in South Carolina and one of the first in the United States. Its initial purpose was to provide end-of-life care to Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, and Colleton counties. Over the years, it has expanded to not only end-of-life care, but also palliative care (focusing on patients with chronic illnesses) and grief support with group sessions offered to those who have lost loved ones including children, spouses, and more. As stated on their Friends of Caroline website, “Friends of Caroline provides quality-of-life care that offers hope and encouragement to those nearing the end-of-life’s journey and support for their family, friends, and the community.”
Lindsay goes on to explain what makes Friends of Caroline different. “Every patient has the same availability, regardless of their income. We have patients of all different stages and ages, but we have the same goal for each of them and that’s symptom management. We make the most of each and every day. My personal goal is to educate the community, especially in the healthcare sector. There’s a lot that nurses and doctors can do in this field. It’s complex care because each patient is unique, and it takes healthcare professionals who are able to look at a complex situation and make a good judgment.”
Friends of Caroline currently has 36 employees and has provided care for 187 patients since opening its inpatient doors. To run a successful organization, Lindsay stays busy as president and CEO. Her day-to-day operations have her multitasking various needs for the organization. “I report to our board of directors, which consists of 15-19 community volunteers, all with varying backgrounds. The board sets forth their vision and mission for Friends of Caroline, and my job is to make sure everything is going in the correct direction. We share ideas and discuss what can be improved upon, as well as additional services needed.” However, Lindsay’s role consists of more than just meetings and discussions. She also makes sure that everything is running smoothly, and troubleshoots any issues. She focuses on patient care with the clinical team and pays heavy attention to the organization’s finances. “I meet with donors daily,” she explains. “Up until 2013, we did not collect insurance dollars. We only used donations to provide services. When we received certification to bill insurances, we were able to expand our services. We still continue to need donors, and we hold fundraisers, like our First Clay Shoot at Turkey Hill this coming October. We will need sponsors or those who would like to participate can sign up for a team.”
All this hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. Friends of Caroline Hospice received a five-star rating from Medicare, the highest possible quality rating available. For an organization to receive this, they need to have good customer satisfaction and provide access to needed care. “This recognition is new for hospices,” Lindsay explains. “Twenty twenty-two was the first year a hospice organization could receive the recognition. When a patient passes away, the family receives a survey from an independent survey company several months later. The family is asked for feedback on questions like how responsive the team was and how they were treated, along with their loved one. They are also asked about how much they were educated by our team in their particular situation, and even spiritual support. They are finally asked if they would recommend us. We are so honored to have received the recognition, and we are currently the only ones in the area that have a five-star rating.”
Lindsay and her staff have dedicated their lives to providing quality care, hope, and encouragement to those nearing end of life as well as their loved ones, but they cannot do it alone. They still need the assistance of the community. “We love having volunteers. We need volunteers to assist with patients, our office, and special events. We are the only Medicare service that requires volunteers, so we are always welcoming those who would like to help.” Friends of Caroline Hospice partner with We Honor Veterans, which is a program that pairs volunteers with patients who are veterans. They also have a pet therapy program that pairs patients with therapy pets and their handlers, or their Pet Peace of Mind volunteers who assist patients with pet needs such as delivering food or medications, transporting a pet to a veterinarian, or taking them on a walk. “Anyone that has skills or time can be put to use,” Lindsay states. “Again, we are also always looking for donors. Thanks to those who contribute to our nonprofit. We were able to raise over $5 million dollars to open an inpatient unit. Those that give financially also help those that are unfunded. Our patients that are under 65 don’t have Medicare and sometimes no insurance, so it allows us to provide equal care to them.”
When asked what is the one thing she would like the Lowcountry to know about Friends of Caroline Hospice, she thought for a moment and said, “Referrals are important. We work with patients not only needing hospice, but palliative care and grief. Our inpatient unit is open. We are a bit off the beaten path, so a lot of people don’t know we are there. Our staff loves what we do, and we are passionate about helping others. Our staff has doubled in size to keep quality of care. Everyday is different, and it’s never a dull moment. We just want to be there for those who need us.”
