Heart of Georgia Hospice forced to close Perry inpatient unit

PERRY, Ga. — In a press release published on Monday, Nov. 28, Heart of Georgia Hospice announced they would be permanently closing their inpatient unit on Dec. 1.

“It is with much sadness that Heart of Georgia Hospice announces the permanent closing of its Inpatient Care Unit,” the release said. “The Hazel Colson Hospice House, located in the Perry Hospital, has faithfully served this community since 2003.”

The non-profit organization has been providing Middle Georgia with end-of-life care since 1985. Since 2003, their inpatient unit has served 3,574 patients. The goal of the inpatient unit has been to provide pain control and symptom management to a level that would not be available in a different setting.

In a statement published within the release, Executive Director Dawn Rozar spoke briefly of the cause of this closure.

“For just over two years, our six-bed Inpatient Unit has been operating at half capacity or less,” Rozar said. “We tried so hard to stay afloat, but the COVID pandemic, high costs and reduced inpatient admissions was too much to overcome.

“Only God knows the amount of loving care that was shown within the walls of our Inpatient Unit. The employees there were nothing short of angels, and that makes the decision all the more painful.”

As stated by the release, Heart of Georgia’s home-based hospice care services “will continued uninterrupted, as will their bereavement care programs and all other services.”

The mission of Heart of Georgia Hospice is to provide the terminally ill, their families and the community at large with end-of-life services that promote individual dignity and respect.

“We remain committed to our mission of quality care to our patients, their families and the community,’ Rozar said. “We’re proud of the legacy we have here at Heart of Georgia Hospice.”

HHJ News