Oftentimes, when someone hears the word “hospice” they are immediately turned off by the thought of death. Travis Ramsey, the vice president of operations at Patriot Hospice, knows that while death is one of the hardest experiences in life, it is something that can be beautiful when handled with care.
“We get one time to make it right and do it right in this business. I strive daily to make sure that, although it is very sad at times, a person’s death is meaningful and should be as beautiful as a birth,” Ramsey said. “It’s such a hard thing to lose a loved one. But, more often than not, we hear families tell us that they wish that they would have elected the services at Patriot Hospice sooner.”
Patriot Hospice is a wonderful resource for the residents of South Carolina. As a hospice company, they partner with multiple residential, skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, as well as with hospitals. The program offers veteran-focused hospice services in nursing homes in Anderson and Walterboro. As a level four honor veterans’ program, Patriot Hospice is proud to serve veterans but also offers services to nonveterans. The staff lovingly visits with the patient and family throughout the dying process to ease the pain and help with the patient’s end-of-life needs.
Among the services offered by Patriot Hospice is a processional.
“The patient is draped with the American flag, Taps is played, Amazing Grace is sung and the staff of Patriot Hospice escorts the patient and the loved ones out of the facility. The security guard announces the patient and the branch of the service, and the staff walks out with the family. We feel like the patient should leave out of the front door just like they came in the front door,” Ramsey said.
At first, Ramsey was against the idea of having public processionals because he was wary of the negative effects they could have on current patients.
“After seeing it, I immediately thought this is beautiful,” he said. “It’s an incredible way to honor someone, and it’s a phenomenal experience to be a part of. And, again, a person’s death should be as beautiful as a birth.”
The processionals have made such an impact that some of them have even gone viral after videos were shared online. The ceremony is an amazing thing to see and is very emotional for all involved.
Recently, Patriot Hospice cared for a patient whose family members were from Conway and were unable to get to the Walterboro veterans’ facility due to Hurricane Florence. The community came together for this patient and his family to ensure that the processional was still held. It was a touching moment for all involved.
To be a part of such a significant moment in someone’s life is something Patriot Hospice does not take for granted. When speaking with Ramsey, it’s easy to see his passion for working with the dying. The staff at Patriot Hospice views their role in their patients’ lives as an honor.
If you or someone you know is looking for hospice care, you can find more information about Patriot Hospice at www.patriotcares.com or by calling 888-515-3007.
By Ashley Mitchell