How We Prepared to Provide Hospice Care During Pope Francis's Visit

This weekend, Pope Francis concludes his visit to the United States with a historic visit to Philadelphia which will include a public address at Independence Hall and the celebration of an outdoor Mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Papal security is tight for the entire weekend with parking restrictions, limited public transportation, and the closure of many of the main highways in and around the Philadelphia Area – an area which includes five counties served by Crossroads Hospice.

The Pope’s visit has created a lot of excitement and many months of planning for our Philadelphia team to ensure that all patients continue to receive the care they need even when faced with road blocks and barricades.

“Crossroads Hospice welcomes Pope Francis to Philadelphia,” says Executive Director Barbara Ebling. “We are blessed to have such a compassionate and dedicated team that are committed to serving our patients over this weekend of road closures and record crowds in Philadelphia. Nurses, aides, and our support service teams have all rallied and have volunteered to be available day and night in strategic locations in the event a patient is in need. All patients have been stocked with adequate supplies and medications for the weekend as well. This is a testament that our team does do MORE.”

Clinical Director Irene Rifkin agrees, “Our motto is: Plan for the worst and hope for the best. We are using our office as a makeshift hotel if anyone needs to stay because of block out zones or lack of transportation. All disciplines are involved and helping to make this a success.”

Earlier this year, Pope Francis said, “Palliative care is an expression of the properly human attitude of taking care of one another, especially of those who suffer. It bears witness that the human person is always precious, even if marked by age and sickness.”

It is a call to action that Crossroads Hospice is committed to meeting 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Even when the Pope’s in town.

For more information on how Crossroads Hospice cares for our patients, please call 1-888-564-3405.

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