Committed to Care
24/7 Hospice Services
SUPPORT & CONNECTION ANY TIME
Tabitha Hospice has been providing quality and compassionate end-of-life care since 1979.
- Dedicated on-call night & weekend support
- Around-the-clock nursing and emotional support
- Pharmacological and non-pharmacological options
- Personalized plan of care
- Consistent, familiar care team
Hearts in Service
Hospice Volunteer Program
PROVIDING COMFORT THROUGH COMPANIONSHIP
Tabitha Hospice volunteers offer emotional, physical and spiritual support in the last stages of a Client’s life.
- Musical performances
- Pet visits
- Bereavement support
- Veteran recognition pinnings
- Veteran-to-veteran support
Guided Grace
Bereavement Program
WALKING THE JOURNEY TOGETHER
Tabitha Hospice offers bereavement services for 18 months following the loss of a loved one.
- Individual grief support
- Grief support groups
- Educational grief events
- Phone call check-ins/support
- Remembrance services
- Mailings, including grief support, resources, Embrace newsletter and more
Tabitha Hospice provides a range of Veteran services
designed to honor the brave men and women throughout
Nebraska who have served our country.
Providing the Best in Hospice Care
At Tabitha Hospice, the end of life is a time not to be mourned, but celebrated. Our passion is in helping individuals create lasting memories with the people they love most, to relish the simple pleasures in life and to build a legacy that continues for generations.
Caring for the Lincoln | Syracuse Areas
As the most experienced hospice care provider in Nebraska, Tabitha has been providing end-of-life care since 1979. With exceptional, compassionate care, we put people first with purpose in mind, serving for all the right reasons.
Caring for the Seward | Crete | York | Grand Island | Kearney Areas
Tabitha began providing hospice care in Seward in 1974. Since then, we've expanded our hospice care to encompass 23 counties throughout Nebraska.
Tabitha Hospice Leadership
Karen Cheesman, CBSW
Administrator
Jessica Garza, RN, BSN
Director of Clinical Services
Julie Bloom, RN
Director of Clinical Services
Abby Keller, LIMHP, CMSW
Director of Psych/Social
Cindy Lee, RN, CHPN
Education & QAPI Coordinator
Matt Hollamon, RN
Admission Coordinator
Sarah Esch, RN
Patient Care Coordinator
Kim Pahl, MSN, RN
Patient Care Coordinator
Miranda Palmer, RN
Patient Care Coordinator
Bethany Schmit, RN
Patient Care CoordinatorResources for Hospice Caregivers
Life is a journey—a wonderful and sometimes unsure experience. Entering the phase near the end of life is a time when everything we encounter is new. Facing death is never easy, but you are not alone. Tabitha’s hospice team is here to assist you and your loved one with compassion, comfort and care.
The guide below provides you with tools helpful in caring for your loved one.
FAQs
What is hospice?
Hospice care enables Clients to live their final months to the fullest—with dignity and choice, providing assistance when needs turn from cure to comfort. Many in hospice care continue to enjoy social activities and are encouraged to remain as active and engaged as their physical condition allows.
When is it time to consider hospice care?
Though it may seem difficult to know when it’s the right time for hospice care, there are signs that may indicate compassionate hospice services should be considered:
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Increased assistance needed with activities of daily living, including walking, dressing and bathing
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Reduced desire to eat, leading to weight loss
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Multiple hospitalizations or ER visits
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Recurring infections
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Functional decline, including inability to speak or communicate clearly
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Increased pain or difficulty breathing
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Progression of disease, including poor response to treatment
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Decision to focus on quality of life instead of aggressive treatments
Should I wait to enroll in care?
Enrolling in hospice care sooner helps families and Clients manage pain and symptoms, reduce caregiver stress, plan advance directives and allows for quality time together during life’s last chapters.
Where is support provided?
Hospice care is provided in the comfort and familiarity of wherever home may be, or in Lincoln at Tabitha’s Journey House, a residential-style home dedicated to hospice care.
How do I pay for hospice care?
Hospice care is covered by Medicare, Veterans’ Administration (VA) benefits, Medicaid and private insurance. Tabitha Hospice services are covered 100% under the Medicare hospice benefits—this means there are no out-of-pocket costs for qualified individuals. In addition, Medicare hospice benefits cover the cost of associated medications, medical equipment and a variety of nursing and support services.
Why choose Tabitha Hospice?
As the first and most experienced provider of hospice care in the state of Nebraska, we provide the best clinical care, symptom control and pain management to individuals wherever they call home: a residence, senior living community or in Lincoln at Tabitha’s residential-style Journey House, dedicated to hospice care. We also offer unparalleled comfort along with spiritual and emotional support.
“Hospice is a scary word for a lot of people. Whenever I hear that word, I think of death. But hospice is so much more. I made the decision to go to hospice for two reasons: I was tired of medical appointments and treatments; and it was time to give my caregivers a break. It was the best decision. Everyone on the hospice team is wonderful. Our home feels more peaceful. Our daily routines feel more normal. Someone else is taking care of things.
To celebrate our wedding anniversary, a member of our Tabitha Hospice Team even asked a local harpist to give a private performance in the comfort of our living room.
It was beautiful. We had never experienced anything like it.
When we hear someone is being supported by hospice, we think it’s just a matter of time. That’s true. It is just a matter of time, but I also think that time matters.
I have always believed in the quality of life. I want the time that I have left to be full of positive energy. Maybe the next time I hear the word hospice, I’ll think about harps and beautiful music.”
Diane Podany
Harpist Heidi N. Beran performs for Diane and Cory Podany’s wedding anniversary.
Generally speaking, Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans’ Administration (VA) benefits or your insurance will cover the costs associated with hospice care. Hospice has been included as a Medicare benefit since 1983, and Tabitha Hospice services are covered 100% under the Medicare hospice benefits—this means there are no out-of-pocket costs for qualified individuals. In addition, Medicare hospice benefits cover the cost of associated medications, medical equipment and a variety of nursing and support services.
Thanks to generous donations, no one is turned away from Tabitha Hospice care—regardless of their ability to pay for services.
The Tabitha Hospice Difference
The Most Experienced Hospice Provider in Nebraska
A faith-based Nebraska nonprofit, Tabitha is a pioneer in hospice care. As the longest-serving hospice program in the state, Tabitha has been providing compassionate end-of-life care since 1979.
Exceptional, Compassionate Care
Tabitha Hospice puts people first with purpose in mind, serving for all the right reasons. Our mission—to serve all members of the community regardless of their ability to pay—is rooted in all we do.
Around-the-Clock Support
With dedicated, on-call night and weekend caregivers, you have access to nurses who will come to you if the need arises, whenever the need arises.
Local Volunteers Invested in the Community
Our hospice Volunteers are rooted in the communities in which they serve—providing assistance through listening, companionship, respite care and help with everyday tasks.
Bereavement Team to Walk Beside You Through Your Grief Journey
We understand loss affects each person differently. Our team of experts comfort and support you throughout the journey
with personalized education, counseling and literature.
Our bereavement support program is available for all loved ones for 18 months following hospice care, and is administered by
coordinators dedicated to serving their individual communities. Tabitha’s services include grief support groups, volunteer visits,
supportive resources and mailings, and individual and family counseling.
Hospice Team
With Tabitha Hospice, your family is supported by an experienced, caring team that is second to none.
Medical Team
Our medical director and associate medical directors work with physicians to develop client care plans and provide ongoing review of Tabitha Hospice care. If necessary, our medical directors can intervene to ensure your loved one receives appropriate treatment that conforms to care plans and falls within established hospice care guidelines.
Emotional & Spiritual Support Team
Emotional and spiritual support is provided by the Tabitha Hospice social workers and the pastoral team, as well as by a licensed mental health counselor who is available to assist individuals and their families. In addition, Tabitha Hospice can also help clients access community resources and plan advanced directives.
Volunteers
Hospice Volunteers are an integral part of Tabitha’s Hospice team, providing emotional, physical and spiritual support. These trained, Caring Volunteers provide assistance through companionship, listening, respite care and helping with everyday tasks. Many of our volunteers have become longtime friends of the families they serve.
Nursing Team
The Tabitha Hospice nursing team will make scheduled visits according to individual needs. Nurses work closely with clients, families and physicians to monitor symptoms and medications, coordinate communications and serve as an educational resource. The nursing team is on-call 24/7 for consultation and emergency visits.