Ray Hickey Hospice House

When a person you love has entrusted you with his or her life decisions and they are in a final stage of life, you can get help at Ray Hickey Hospice House. The approach is one of comfort for the patient and the family so they can make the most of their time together. The facility is warm and inviting with lots of private spaces to meet with family and friends including a full kitchen. The setting is serene and respectful, but bright. The rooms are spacious with day beds and a recliner in addition to the patient bed. There is a small TV with full cable from which we were able to play music channels that brought back good memories. Our room also had a large window which let in lots of light when the blinds were pulled.
I can’t say enough good things about the staff and nurses either. I’ve never seen such compassion in the kind and generous way we were treated. The nurses were top-​notch and the staff was helpful at every step. Anyone may visit at any time and they will accommodate you. This was a difficult time but I am still blessed to be left with pleasant memories of our time together thanks to the Ray Hickey Hospice House.

My experience is that for the staff it is just a job — nothing more. As long as the patient goes with the flow then all you see are smiles and happy faces. When the patient soils themselves then the CNA gets surly. If you call them and ask them to check on a patient, they won’t return your call.
The attitude I see is an assembly line of soon-​to-​be dead people coming through that have to be put up with so the staff can take home a pay check. HO HUM.

I would like to complement all staff members and volunteers at Ray Hickey. I was amazed at the care taken with my mother while she was able to communicate and even while she awaited death. All who work there show they care and took the time to explain all the questions we had. The facility is very quiet and offers rooms where family members can get together at and the sometime will have soup on hand for family members to eat.
Mom was coddled and cared for by the best until her death. While this is a sad moment in our lives she spent her last days in the best place. My many thanks to everyone at Ray Hickey bless you and your family’s.
J McCormick
Vancouver Wa.

I’m a volunteer here, and I couldn’t agree even more with the OP.
The facilities are beautiful; they do not feel «like a hospice». However, the most important thing to mention is the staff. They truly care about the patients and, in some cases (where there is no family), become the person’s family until that person begins their next journey. They make the process completely dignified and respectful; there are no back doors when a new patient comes in and every staff member walks the body out when a person dies. There are no rules here; if the person wants chocolate chip cookies at 2 a.m., they’re going to get their cookies at 2 a.m.
The staff members are walking angels here and the greater Vancouver-​Portland community is blessed by having such a facility here.