Housecall Providers Hospice, founded in 2009, has provided compassionate end-of-life care to approximately 4,000 patients throughout the Portland metro area. In 2017, the community-based nonprofit joined forces and became an official member of CareOregon. The partnership was designed to increase access to and enhance in-home medical care in the Portland metro area and enabled Housecall Providers to grow and expand its home-based primary, palliative and hospice care.
The hospice was initially created to extend the continuum of care for Housecall Providers’ primary care patients, ensuring they received consistent and compassionate care at the end of their lives. In 2015, the hospice broadened its scope, opening its doors to serve adults regardless of whether they were previously the organization’s primary care patients.
Rebecca Ashling, RN, who founded Housecall Providers Hospice, reflects on this milestone: “I feel so proud that the hospice has hit 15 years and been able to maintain a culture of love and hope throughout all levels of patient care. From small beginnings that were challenging, to how honored the team feels to be able to deliver hospice care to the community, I am excited and confident about the future.”
Housecall Providers Hospice stands out as one of the few nonprofit hospices left in Portland, maintaining its dedication to patient-centered care amid a landscape increasingly dominated by for-profit companies. This dedication to quality care is evidenced by its remarkable achievement of earning all four rings in the 2023 Quality Connections program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). This accomplishment places Housecall Providers Hospice among the top providers of high-quality, person-centered hospice and palliative care in Oregon, underscoring its commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.
“This is an incredible achievement for our hospice, and it acknowledges and validates the clinical excellence we are committed to when caring for our hospice patients and families,” said Housecall Providers Hospice Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Ramsay, MPH.
As a member of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), Housecall Providers Hospice adheres to a values-based approach that emphasizes “People Over Profits.” According to the NPHI Blueprint, nonprofit hospices typically provide more comprehensive care, with 10% more nursing visits, 35% more social worker visits, and twice as many therapy visits compared with for-profit hospices. Nonprofits also spend significantly more on bereavement services and less on advertising. This dedication to patient care over profit is a core value that has allowed Housecall Providers Hospice to become a trusted and respected organization in the community.
Over the years, Housecall Providers has also partnered with community organizations in various ways to support access to resources for members and patients. Recently, they partnered with 25 Portland area nonprofits to host Toss for a Cause—A Community Day in the Park. This annual event raises awareness of the vital support local nonprofits provide to elders, adults with disabilities and those facing serious illness. The event featured a cornhole competition among the nonprofits, competing for the title of Portland Toss for a Cause Champion 2024. Attendees explored "Nonprofit Row," learning about aging in place, accessing supportive resources, and ways they could get involved.
Housecall Providers Hospice’s 15-year journey is a testament to the impact of compassionate, nonprofit care. As the organization looks to the future, it remains dedicated to its mission of providing exceptional end-of-life care, guided by a deep sense of responsibility to the patients, families and communities it serves. Ashling’s words resonate deeply with this mission: “Housecall Providers Hospice will continue to be a beacon of hope and love in our community, offering unparalleled care and support to those who need it most.”
Housecall Providers Hospice delivers care to many of the assisted living communities throughout the Portland metro area as well as within private homes. If you or a loved one would like to learn more about the benefits of hospice care or have questions whether hospice care is the right choice for you or a family member, please visit housecallprovidershospice.org for more information.
