About Sierra Hospice
Sierra Hospice was founded in 1981 as a grassroots, community-based organization to offer compassionate end-of-life support in the Chester/Lake Almanor area. Though the modern hospice concept was pioneered by Dame Cicely Saunders in 1967, caring for the dying has ancient roots across many cultures.
Our Beginnings
Our Beginnings In the early days, Sierra Hospice began through the vision of Dina Nye, a local minister’s wife, who rallied volunteers to provide home-based care and comfort to the terminally ill. An advisory committee was formed, including Ann Royal as the first coordinator. Volunteer training, care guidelines, and key programs were established in those formative years.
Steady Growth
As Sierra Hospice grew, so did the needs. In 1987, Ramona Lyddon was hired as the first paid coordinator through Seneca Healthcare District. Under her leadership until 2006, Sierra Hospice expanded significantly, including starting the Friends of Hospice auxiliary and earning Ramona the prestigious Pierre Salmon Award in 1995 for her hospice advocacy in California.
Non-Profit Transition
To support plans for the Forget-Me-Not Thrift Store, Sierra Hospice obtained its own 501(c)3 non-profit status in the mid-1990s. The thrift store opened shortly after, providing vital funds for hospice programs. An Executive Board and Program Management Committee were also formed during this period of substantial organizational development.
Pioneering Volunteers
Pioneering Volunteers Through Ramona’s work with CHAPCA (California Hospice and Palliative Care Association), Sierra Hospice was grandfathered in as a licensed volunteer hospice program after new regulations emerged in the 1990s. This allowed Sierra’s compassionate volunteers to continue providing home-based hospice services without billing – a vital provision for rural communities.
Comprehensive Care
Today, Sierra Hospice’s mission remains providing whole-person hospice and palliative care through our dedicated volunteers and staff. Our programs address the physical, emotional, spiritual, and social needs of terminally ill patients and their families. From nursing care to bereavement camps to emergency services, we walk alongside those in our community through life’s final transition.
For over 40 years, Sierra Hospice’s roots have been woven deeply into the fabric of Chester, Lake Almanor, and surrounding areas through the selfless efforts of our volunteers, staff, donors, and community partners. We are honored to continue this legacy of compassionate end-of-life care.
About Nonprofit Hospices
Nonprofit hospices prioritize the well-being of patients, above financial gain. Their mission revolves around providing comprehensive care that suits each individual’s needs. This creates an environment where patients and their families feel heard, valued, and supported.
Unlike for-profit hospices, that are driven by the bottom line: nonprofit organizations deeply invest in their communities. They continually go above and beyond required minimum care thresholds because they can. Their focus goes beyond basic care to include outreach programs, education initiatives, and support systems that enrich the lives of those they serve.
Non-profits aren’t motivated by shareholders or commercial interests but rather by compassion for the patients they serve. This absence of profit-driven motives ensures that decisions are made with the best interests of the patients at heart, prioritizing high-quality care above all else.
Nonprofit hospices often go above and beyond to ensure that financial constraints don’t hinder access to end-of-life services for individuals in need. There is no cost for our hospice services at Hospice of the Foothills. This aligns with a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
One important aspect of nonprofit hospices is their emphasis on practices and transparency. These organizations are structured in a way that promotes openness and accountability, which helps build trust among patients, families, and the community as a whole.
All hospices are not the same, and you do have a choice. We hope when that time comes your search leads you to Sierra Hospice. It will be our honor to provide comfort and high-quality care to your family.