Page 60 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2018- Online Magazine
P. 60
HONORING J.T. & MARGARET
T ALKINGT ON
Caring
to the
Very End
BY CHERYL PRESLEY
The J.T. and Margaret Talkington
Charitable Foundation has made
a tremendous impact on so many
citizens in Lubbock and the We must be wise
surrounding areas. We, at Hospice of Lubbock, are stewards of our
so grateful to the Talkingtons for their contributions resources, and,
toward furthering our mission of creating a at the same time,
community of dignity and hope during end-of-life we believe there
care.
should be no
Opening our doors in 1987, Hospice of Lubbock was discrimination
the first hospice provider on the South Plains, and when it comes to
we are Lubbock’s only nonprofit hospice provider. hospice care. It is
Covering 19 counties, we are also the region’s sole vitally important
provider for adult AND pediatric hospice care. that ALL persons’ end-of-life needs – along with
the needs of the loved ones who care for them
Hospice is truly about relationships. We are proud – are treated with excellent service, respect and
of our longevity in this community. The longer we compassion.
know each other, the stronger our relationships; the
better we trust each other, the better our ability is to In 2015, the Talkington Foundation became a
serve our patients and their loved ones. significant partner in providing this all-important
service. The Foundation was a major contributor in
“Hospice of Lubbock is proud of the fact that, establishing a million- dollar Hospice of Lubbock
in 31 years of service to the South Plains, we’ve Endowment. Through this endowment, we annually
never turned down a patient who needs hospice provide an estimated $300,000 of end-of-life charity
care, based on their inability to pay,” says Jeremy care. The endowment continues to grow and will
L. Brown, M.D., Executive Director and Medical continue to sustain itself. This means individuals
Director. We cover the costs of staffing, equipment, across the South Plains will continue to receive
and medications related to one’s terminal diagnosis the high-quality, excellent care they have come to
– and are then reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid, expect from Hospice of Lubbock. Because of the
Insurance, or the U. S. Department of Veterans Talkington’s generous hearts, patients and their
Affairs. However, some patients do not fall under loved ones can focus on the things that are truly
that reimbursement umbrella. Thanks to the important – dignity and respect for the whole
Talkington Foundation, we are able to provide person…body, mind and spirit.
charity hospice care to those who truly need it.
60 Lubbock Senior Link
