Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast

Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast serves Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Putnam, Suwannee, and Union counties. Florida’s Certificate of Need (CON) Program ensures that Floridians have access to hospice services in all 67 counties (including all rural areas). It provides for frequent monitoring of all hospice agencies operating in the state, resulting in high levels of care and satisfaction. And the CON Program promotes community support for community hospices, enabling Floridians to benefit from an array of services, including grief support for adults and children, caregiver support, alternative medicines, special programs for pediatric and veteran patients, and remembrance services around the holidays. It also gives volunteers a great opportunity to participate in and support numerous hospice programs. Our team of physicians, nurses, home health aides, social workers, chaplains and trained volunteers provides specialized medical care; emotional, spiritual and social support. We provide medical services, equipment, supplies, medications and training to manage your care. Cost is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, most commercial insurances and donations. There is no out-of-pocket cost to the patient or family. It’s about choices and really good care. 1983, the vision of a Hospice in Citrus County was conceived. The Medical Society Auxiliary, along with patients had an alternative as to HOW and WHERE they wished to spend the final days of their lives. The Board of Directors was selected; Articles of Incorporation were filed with the State of Florida, and application for nonprofit, tax-exempt status was approved in May 1984. The first office space was obtained from Citrus Memorial Hospital and 75 volunteers received training and certification through the Hospice course at Central Florida Community College in Ocala.