Hoffmann Hospice of the Valley

Hoffmann Hospice was founded in 1995 with the pledge that no hospice eligible patient would ever be turned away, regardless of their illness or ability to pay.   This story behind this pledge is one of endearment.

In 1990, Tom and Beth Hoffmann were busy business owners when a young AIDS-stricken mother turned to their home-health agency, Hoffmann Homecare, for help.  As the disease progressed, her need for home care shifted to a need for end-of-life care; she needed hospice services.  The Hoffmann’s referred her to what was then, Bakersfield’s only hospice agency.  To their dismay, she was denied because of her disease.  The Hoffmann’s continued to care for the woman until her death in 1994.

The year following her death, Tom and Beth Hoffmann were still deeply touched by the experience of caring for the woman and her two HIV-positive children.  Believing that no one should be on the end-of-life journey alone, they felt called to found their own hospice agency with the pledge that no hospice eligible patient would ever be turned away, regardless of their illness or ability to pay.

Soon after, Tom and Beth felt called once again – the future of Kern County was to include a Hoffmann Hospice Home; a place of consolation and serenity where patients and their families are provided with all of the “comforts of home” on the end-of-life journey.

Tom and Beth Hoffmann’s dream some 18 years ago became a reality in September 2015.  What once was an onion field in Southwest Bakersfield was transformed into a place of hope, help, and comfort for local families.

Hoffmann’s Hospice Home is an alternative to hospital care and expands Hoffmann’s ability to provide world-class end-of-life care to patients as well as their loved ones 24 hours a day.  It provides an extraordinary “home away from home” making a lasting impact on patients and families at such a precious time of life. 

Since 1995, the Hoffmann’s and their staff have continually sought new ways of enhancing and serving Kern County.  Now the oldest and most respected hospice agency in Kern County, Hoffmann Hospice provides the highest quality end-of-life care to hundreds of terminally ill patients every year.  And now, Hoffmann Hospice is honored to provide world-class end-of-life care for those you love in Kern County’s first and only hospice home.

This year, Hoffmann Hospice seeks your support for our growing Palliative Care Program. Palliative Care is a home-based program that is offered to patients who face a serious or life threatening illness.

Hoffmann Hospice’s Palliative Care Program: 

• Offers an extra layer of support through disease education, assistance with pain and symptom management, and additional resources and guidance to enhance quality of life for the patient and their family.
• Provides access to Hoffmann Hospice’s professional care teams while patients continue to receive treatment from primary care providers and other specialists.
• Empowers the patient and family, through collaborative communication, coordination of care, and advance care planning, while allowing the goals of both the patient and family to be the guiding principle.
• Avoids unnecessary medical expenses, such as trips to the ER, by managing pain and other symptoms before they get out of control. 

Who benefits from your gift to support Hoffmann Hospice's Palliative Care Program?

• Patients who face a serious or life threatening illness that significantly impacts their quality of life or daily activities.
• Families and caregivers who can use the additional support from the palliative care team to help their loved one through illness.
• Physicians and providers who seek the best quality of life and outcomes for their patients.
• The entire Kern County community who can rest assured that their neighbors are receiving the help they deserve, when they need it most.

Why should you choose to support Hoffmann Hospice’s Palliative Care Program for GiveBig Kern this year? 

Since our founding in 1995, Hoffmann Hospice has provided compassionate care to nearly 30,000 adults, children, and Veterans in our Kern County community. Hoffmann Hospice is now the oldest, most trusted and respected hospice agency in Kern County, and we consider it a privilege to care for patients and families regardless of their illness or ability to pay. 

Our Palliative Care Program, launched in 2018, has served nearly 250 patients. We know that palliative care can make a huge difference in the lives of those facing serious illness and seeking treatment, and we aim to reach and serve every member of our community who can benefit from our patient and family-focused services to improve their quality of life. 

Your gift today of $25, $50, or more will help Hoffmann Hospice expand our Palliative Care program to better serve those in our community who are eligible and can greatly benefit from our compassionate care and support. 

Thank you for your support of Hoffmann Hospice and our Palliative Care Program!