About Avow
Avow is a Collier County, Florida-based nonprofit healthcare organization that provides hospice care, non-hospice palliative care, and grief and loss support. We serve people of all ages, from infants to the most senior of citizens.
Avow has deep roots in Collier County. In fact, we were established here in 1983 by volunteers and community members as the county’s first hospice. Since then, we have grown to become one of the largest hospices in the US. We also pioneered non-hospice palliative care in Collier County, offering services beginning in 2003. Avow’s mission is “to create peace of mind by providing compassionate care and support to those who need us.” For Avow, the most important measure of success is the way they touch people’s lives with their care.
Throughout our history and growth, we have kept our focus squarely on our nonprofit mission to serve.
Care & Comfort for the Seriously Ill
Palliative care provides comfort for individuals living with serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and kidney failure. The purpose of palliative care is to alleviate the physical symptoms and emotional distress related to their diseases and/or the medical treatments they are receiving. Avow’s palliative care team can see patients in the outpatient clinic on our campus, or wherever the patient calls home.
Consider palliative care if you or a loved one:
- Suffer from pain or other symptoms due to any serious illness (Symptoms may include shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, or problems with sleep)
- Experience physical or emotional pain that is not under control
- Need help understanding your situation and coordinating your care
Hospice vs. Palliative Care
Unlike hospice care, palliative care can be offered at the same time you are receiving treatments for your illness. In fact, its primary purpose is to improve the patient’s quality of life during treatment. Additionally, it provides support for you and your family and can improve communication between you and your healthcare providers.
If you are interested in palliative care for yourself or a loved one, contact your physician for a referral or contact Avow directly at (239) 649-3680.
Jan’s Story
When Jan’s highly aggressive, triple-negative breast cancer advanced to stage IV with tumors in her liver and lymph nodes, Jan turned to Avow’s palliative care program for symptom relief and improved quality of life.
“If I had to describe Avow’s palliative care service in one word, I would choose ‘easy’, ” says Jan. “When I call, the helpful receptionist can almost always get me to the nurse practitioner right away. She is easy to talk to and just as devoted to making me emotionally comfortable as she is to relieving my physical symptoms. I wish my prognosis was different, but I am at peace with where I am and the treatments I receive from Avow’s palliative care service.”
Beverly & Arthur’s Story
Beverly, a licensed clinical social worker, called Avow’s palliative care service for help when her 90-year-old husband, Arthur, experienced increasing feelings of anxiety and depression while being treated for a chronic heart condition.
“The nurse learned more about Arthur in one session than other physicians had in seeing him over many visits. She also listened to my needs and concerns and came up with a plan that had helped us both. Do you know how rare that is in healthcare these days, to have unrushed, personal time with medical professionals? It’s not an exaggeration when I say that Avow’s palliative care service saved two lives mine and Arthur’s. Life is so much better now.”
Avow was drawn to join C-TAC to collaborate with other organizations and payers passionate about advancing equity and access to care that enhances the quality of life. Avow is expanding services to the community through significant growth in palliative care, our non-hospice chronic care program. Through earlier intervention, Avow will assist patients and families with comfort and advanced care planning to drive a better quality of life.
Leaders at Avow look forward to working closely with colleagues across the country on policy changes and initiatives that grow advanced care options. There are a wealth of options for patients, however, the funding is limited. With policy change and collaborative efforts, high-quality end-of-life programs can align to not only increase quality of life, but length of life.
