Memorial Home Services recently launched a hospice speakers bureau available to community groups throughout central Illinois.

“There are many myths and misconceptions about hospice care,” Ronda Dudley, director of Memorial Home Services Home Health and Hospice, said. “Our goal is to educate the community in the true meaning of hospice and understand the services we offer patients and their families.”

The speakers make their presentations in the 14 counties served by Memorial Home Services Hospice: Mason, Cass, Menard, Logan, DeWitt, Macon, Scott, Morgan, Sangamon, Christian, Greene, Macoupin and Montgomery as well as portions of Shelby County. Staff members with Memorial Home Services Hospice are available for presentations.

For more information or to schedule a speaker, individuals may visit Memorial Home Services’ website at MemorialHomeServices.com, move your cursor over the Hospice tab on the left and select Hospice Speakers Bureau from the flyout menu to complete an online request.

Individuals and organizations may also call Amy Evans at (217) 788-3870. Groups should make their request for a speaker at least two weeks before the event date, Evans said.

The nonprofit organization’s hospice services include pain and symptom management, bereavement care and volunteer services as well as emotional and spiritual care for patients and their families. The hospice program also has on-staff registered nurses and aides, medical social workers, home health aides, a chaplain and dietary counseling.

Memorial Home Services also provides home health and medical equipment services across an 18-county region in central Illinois. It is an affiliate of Memorial Health System, a nonprofit, community-based health system in the Mid-Illinois Medical District at Springfield.