www.DesertHealthNews.com March/April 2026 Through the Generations The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 17 www.tranquilitysandshospice.com We are here to provide comprehensive support through your loved one’s transitional journey. Our array of hospice services provides comfort and care physically, emotionally and spiritually. Locally owned in the Coachella Valley ICU nurse owned On call 24/7 We are here to answer your questions Office (760) 565-1774 • Cell (951) 591-1982 patrickc@tranquilitysandshospice.com 74333 Highway 111, Suite 204 • Palm Desert tranquilitysandshospice.com Setting the Standard for Quality Care and Comfort Call to schedule a free evaluation Serving Desert Cities and surrounding areas including Idyllwild, Anza, Mountain Center, Twentynine Palms, Redlands and Salton Sea Accredited with the Accreditation Commission for Health Care Licensed by the State of California Certified by Medicare/Medi-Cal Desert Health Publisher Lauren Del Sarto recently shared the unimaginable experience of a family unprepared to handle the passing of a loved one at home. She asked that we provide guidance to readers on end-of-life resources, a topic that is understandably rarely discussed. When a patient is admitted to hospice, families are asked to complete a mortuary agreement. This is a very important step in determining whether a mortuary has been selected. To support families who have not yet done so, hospice provides a list of local options, typically included in the admission binder. Hospice also offers social work assistance to families with limited financial resources, helping them find affordable options. Family education begins at admission and continues throughout care, focusing on what to expect when a loved one passes away. This is especially important if the choice is made to do so at home. Hospice groups maintain contracts with organizations that provide durable medical equipment, supplies and medications, and hold ongoing inservices and meetings to ensure high quality standards. As a patient begins actively transitioning, daily visits from the nurse and social worker are provided to ensure comfort and to support loved ones during this critical time. At the time of death, the family is instructed to contact hospice and an on-call nurse is dispatched to assess the patient, notify the coroner for clearance, contact the selected mortuary, provide post-mortem care, and answer any questions the family may have. Hospice support during the final days and hours is essential for reassuring and guiding loved ones. Regarding mortuary services, we strongly recommend reputable local mortuaries such as FitzHenry-Wiefels, known for professionalism, strong communication, timely response and maintaining their own dedicated post-mortem removal team. Few realize that there are independent body removal services unassociated with funeral homes that may fall far below the standard of care you would hope and expect for your loved one. Hospice professionals also conduct spot checks to ensure mortuary teams handle patients with dignity and professionalism. When concerns arise, complaints are filed on behalf of families to maintain high standards of care. To ease transitions and create a smoother experience for families, FitzHenryWiefels conducts mortuary educational services for health care professionals throughout the year. Guided tours of their mortuary facilities help hospice personnel better understand what families experience when planning funeral services, and their goal is to collaborate with as many local health care organizations as possible. The next educational event will take place at Wiefels & Sons Mortuary, located at 690 S. Vella Road in Palm Springs on August 26 from 6:00–7:00 p.m. We strongly encourage families to meet with mortuary liaisons prior to making final arrangements to ensure their loved ones are treated with dignity, compassion and respect in their final days and beyond. Patrick Chirwa is owner of Tranquility Sands Hospice and welcomes your questions. He can be reached at (760) 565.1774 or Patrickc@tranquilitysandshospice.com. Preparing for Final Days By Patrick Chirwa, MBA, MSN, RN Nestled in the heart of Palm Springs, Mizell Center has become a cornerstone of healthy aging, connection and nutritional empowerment for older adults in the wider community. For more than five decades, Mizell has cultivated a mission, not just of sustenance, but of belonging, vitality and well-being. At its core, Mizell understands that sound nutrition is fundamental to physical health, cognitive vitality and emotional well-being — especially as we age. Every weekday, the dedicated culinary team prepares and serves fresh, nourishing meals to more than 100 older adults who gather in Mizell's dining room. These shared moments of food and connection are as healing as the meals themselves. But Mizell's impact reaches far beyond its dining room walls. As a Meals on Wheels provider, Mizell prepares and delivers approximately 500 nutritious meals each weekday to homebound adults who might otherwise struggle to access balanced food. Additionally, Mizell provides congregate meals at four additional senior centers throughout the valley, expanding access to both nourishment and community. Inside Mizell's bustling kitchen, meals are prepared to meet nutritional guidelines that support heart health, diabetes management and overall wellness. Fresh ingredients, careful preparation and attention to dietary needs ensure that each meal does more than satisfy hunger; they help sustain independence. Delivered with care by trained drivers, these meals also serve as vital daily wellness checks and social touchpoints for individuals living alone or with limited mobility. From Whitewater to the Salton Sea, Mizell's reach fuels dignity and stability across the valley. Nutrition, however, does not exist in isolation. Mizell embraces a holistic approach to healthy aging by offering programs that keep minds engaged and bodies active, including movement classes, creative workshops and lifelong learning opportunities. Essential to all of this is Mizell's extraordinary corps of volunteers. Whether assisting in the dining room, packaging meals, greeting visitors or managing Mizell's thrift store, volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization. Their generosity transforms services into relationships and programs into purpose. As the Coachella Valley's senior population continues to grow, so too does Mizell's vision. The Center remains committed to reducing barriers to healthy aging, combating isolation, and ensuring that every older adult has access to nutritious food and meaningful connections. In an age when isolation frays the bonds of community, Mizell serves as a beacon of connection and proves that nourishing the body and nourishing the spirit go hand in hand. By providing essential nutrition, creating shared experiences and celebrating the richness of community life, Mizell empowers older adults to thrive, age with dignity and stay deeply connected to the world around them. For those seeking not just longevity but also well-being, Mizell Center is a testament to what's possible when compassion, nutrition and community converge. Ector Simpson is the director of operations and programs at Mizell Center and can be reached at ectors@mizell.org. For more information, visit www.mizell.org. Nourishing Body, Mind and Community Mizell Center programs enable seniors to thrive By Ector Simpson Mizelle’s dining room provides seniors with both meals and connection.
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