Care Partners was born from a desire to bring professional hospice services to Cook County. Research eventually indicated that this was not financially feasible for our rural area, so in 2010 a dedicated group of volunteers received special training to provide non-medical, end-of-life services for Cook County residents. Care Partners continues to carry a deep commitment to helping our friends and neighbors plan for and navigate their end-of-life journeys with meaning and dignity.
End of Life Planning
We offer workshops, classes and one-on-one meetings with trained staff and volunteers to provide information and tools for:
- Completing Advance Directives
- Developing a personal, holistic plan for the final days and hours of life
- Exploring local and regional options for end-of-life health care
- Communicating end-of-life wishes with your health care team and loved ones
- Sharing your legacy
- Making funeral/burial decisions
Care Partners Volunteer Kathy Reeves is available for one-on-one meetings to help you complete a Health Care Directive. Kathy brings her compassionate presence and invaluable experience as a retired Emergency Room RN to answer your questions and help you better understand your choices.
End of Life Vigil
Our Care Coordinators are ready to assist you and your loved ones in the final days and hours of life. We can help you:
- Connect with people and resources to foster a peaceful, meaningful experience
- Support visiting friends and family
- Organize vigil assistance with trained volunteers
- Explore options for end-of-life health care and collaborate with local providers
Caregiver & Family Support
End of life affects not only the dying, but also those who care for them. We are honored to help families and caregivers:
- Learn about end-of-life progression
- Conduct family meetings
- Use technology to stay connected with loved ones near and far
- Identify and realize goals for self-care
- Received non-medical respite and vigil assistance through visits with trained volunteers
- Experience ongoing bereavement and grief support
Our staff Care Coordinators (left to right) Maggie Anderson, Barb Bernardy Rose, and Marnie Hovland are here to assist families all along the journey of aging and end-of-life.
Community Conversations
We encourage a broader conversation about aging and end of life by hosting gatherings such as our Lunch & Learn series (in collaboration with Cook County Higher Education), Reframe Aging Monthly Roundtable, Grief Support Group, and other community events and workshops.
Our annual Light Up a Life ceremony offers a gentle way for community members to remember loved ones who have died.
Collaborative Partnerships
Care Partners works with many organizations to support our friends and neighbors along the journey of aging and end-of-life. Our community partners include:
- Cook County Public Health & Human Services In-Home Support & Adult Services programs
- Grand Portage Clinic
- Grand Portage Human Services
- Local Death Doulas
- North Shore Health Home Care
- North Shore Health Hospital
- North Shore Living
- Regional hospice providers (for training and support)
- Sawtooth Mountain Clinic
