The end of life is an experience all human beings share. We may experience it quickly with little or no warning, or we may be aware of its approach for months or weeks. Whatever the manner, the end of life is an inevitable event that affects not only the individual, but also their loved ones and other members of the community. Hospice Services are one way that people with life-limiting illnesses and their significant others can acquire support during the final stages of their life. Support Services are available in hospitals, for in-home services, long-term care and assisted living settings.

Those who are grieving from the loss of a loved one also need support and relief. The organizations listed below may help you locate support.

End of Life Care and Support

Caring Circles - 320 East Main St.-728-1613
www.caringcircles.org Email: caringcircles@lifes-end.org
A caring circle is a group of people who come together to support a family caregiver - in a coordinated way, with a built-in support system. Members of a circle may perform simple tasks like running errands or light meal preparation, or more involved tasks such as providing transportation to medical appointments. If you would like to volunteer for a caring circle, or know someone who needs a caring circle, please call.

Choices Bank -PO Box 8485, Missoula 59807-8485
329-2707 www.choicesbank.org
Email: info@choicesbank.org
The Choices Bank is a free service that makes advance directives (living wills and powers of attorney for health care) available anytime, anywhere. You, your doctors and others you choose can see your advance directive exactly as you signed it on the secure Choices Bank web site, but it cannot be changed unless a new advance directive is submitted. Bring your advance directive to one of the following locations: Community Medical Center, St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center, Life’s End Institute, Missoula Aging Services, Nightingale Nursing Services, Partners in Home Care, Inc., Western Montana Clinic, Hospice of Missoula, Christ the King Church, or Home Health of Montana.

Hospice Link - 1-800-331-1620
Providing information for hospice services in other areas of the country. Office hours are 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. eastern time.

Hospice of Missoula - 800 Kensington, Ste.
209 - 543-4408
A charitable hospice providing physical, emotional, and spiritual care at end of life. Patients are cared for by a team of physicians, nurses, home aides, chaplain, music-thanatologist, and social worker. Hospice care serves the patients and their family; bereavement support is also provided.

Life’s End Institute - 320 E. Main St. - 728-1613
Hours are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Web address: www.lifes-end.org. Email: info@lifes-end.org. A nationally recognized research and community demonstration project to improve the quality of life for dying people and their families. Offers information and numerous resources on issues related to the end of life and grief, including a library of books and videos; “My Choices”, a standard advance directive form used throughout Missoula; and a 0-10 pain rating scale card to help individuals communicate about pain to their health care providers.

Music-Thanatology Clinicians, LLC - 728-9690
A palliative care service providing care for individuals at the end of life through the delivery of prescriptive music, with harp and voice. For information, or to make patient referrals, please call 728-9690.

Partners Hospice and Palliative Care Services
2687 Palmer St., Suite B - 728-8848
We are a non-profit, 501 C3 organization that has been providing hospice care to the Missoula community and western Montana since 1987. We provide comprehensive, active health care by specially trained professionals in pain/symptom management, spiritual support, counseling, personal care, volunteer, and bereavement services. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life’s end. We provide education and support allowing the family or caregivers to actively participate in caring for the patient. We also help loved ones and caregivers cope with the loss after death. We offer complimentary Hospice & Palliative Care consultations 7 days a week.

Storykeepers - 549-0752
Trains family members, health care workers and others to gather a person’s life story at the end of life. Provides services to record life stories.
Contact Susie Risho.

The Palliative Care Service - 728-8643
Fax: 728-4709 - www.dyingwell.org
Consultation and counseling for people with incurable, painful or life limiting conditions.

Bereavement and Loss Support Groups

Bereavement Support Services-Partners Hospice
2687 Palmer St., Suite B - Gretchen Strohmaier, Bereavement Coordinator, 327-3624
Bereavement support groups for those grieving the death of a friend or loved one are offered multiple times throughout the year. These eight- week groups are free and open to the public. They include education about grief and give participants an opportunity to share their own experiences. Individual bereavement counseling, education and referral are also available. Call for specific times and dates.

Caring Circles - 320 East Main St.-728-1613
www.caringcircles.org
Email: caringcircles@lifes-end.org
A caring circle is a group of people who come together to support a family caregiver - in a coordinated way, with a built-in support system. Members of a circle may perform simple tasks like running errands or light meal preparation, or more involved tasks such as providing transportation to medical appointments. If you would like to volunteer for a caring circle, or know someone who needs a caring circle, please call.

Compassionate Friends - 543-8840
A support and fellowship group for those who have experienced the loss of a child. Also provides a program for those who have experienced the loss of an infant. Meets the last Monday of each month, 7:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 300 E. Main St.

Family Grief at Families First - 721-7690
A program for bereaved families. Offers an after school support program and summer camp.

H.O.P.E. - 543-6635 - www.anewsong.org/hope.html
A group for the mutual support of those who have lost someone to suicide.

Life’s End Institute - 320 E. Main St. - 728-1613
Hours are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Web address: www.lifes-end.org. Email: info@lifes-end.org. A nationally recognized research and community demonstration project to improve the quality of life for dying people and their families. Offers information and numerous resources on issues related to the end of life and grief, including a library of books and videos; “My Choices”, a standard advance directive form used throughout Missoula; and a 0-10 pain rating scale card to help individuals communicate about pain to their health care providers.

Loss and Depression Support Group
Call Z’eva Singer at 721-3351
An on-going weekly support group is forming in Missoula for people having difficulty with depression, grief, or loss. The group will also address any challenging life transition.

A New Song-A Resource Center for Grief, Loss and Life Transitions
821 S. Orange - 543-2890 - www.anewsong.org
A New Song offers materials relating to death, bereavement, depression, suicide, divorce and separation, elder care and chronic illness. Materials are available for people of all ages. Books, brochures, videos, audiotapes, and CDs are available from the lending library at no charge.

Seasons Bereavement Programs (Families First): After school program, summer camps and fall retreats for children grieving the loss of a loved one. Facilitating the grief process using fun activities. Call 721-7690 for more information.

Suicide Bereavement Support Group - Partners Hospice
2687 Palmer St., Suite B - Gretchen Strohmaier, Bereavement Coordinator, 327-3624
This 6-8 week support group is offered on an annual basis and more frequently dependent upon interest. It provides information about suicide, and education about coping with grief. Participants are given an opportunity to share their own experiences. The group is free and open to the public. Call for specific times and dates.

Funeral Assistance

Cremation Burial Society of the Rockies
Corner of Reserve and Spurgin Road - 543-5595

Five Valleys Burial Memorial Association
405 University Avenue - 543-6952

Garden City Funeral Home
1705 W. Broadway - 543-4190

Livingston Malletta Geraghty
224 W. Spruce - 543-3137

Montana Cremation & Memorial Society
3035 S. Russell - 542-3378

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
7405 Mullen Road - 549-2857