VNA Hospice Helping With TGH Transition

Sonora, Ca — With the changes that will go into effect July 1st at Tuolumne General Hospital, it means some increased responsibilities for the Visiting Nurse Association of the Mother Lode and Hospice of the Sierra.

“We are trying to do what we can to help them out,” says Marketing Organizer Kasey Fulkerson.We have acquired the Adult Day Healthcare Center. It is under the VNA Hospice branch of the county, as is Outpatient Rehabilitation in Groveland.”

Earlier this month, the Board of Supervisors decided to privatize many of the services currently offered at T.G.H. Acute care services, i.e., surgury and emergency room, will be transfered to Sonora Regional Medical Center. The skilled nursing facility (long term care) and the psych unit will remain open at T.G.H. for a maximum term of three years.

Fulkerson says the agency is very saddened by the TGH news, but it will do whatever it can to make the transition go smoothly.

The Visiting Nurse Association goes into the homes of individuals needing help because of illness or injury. The Hospice of the Sierra offers care to residents who are near the end of life.

Written by BJ Hansen