United Church Homes and Ohio’s Hospice are teaming up to form a new nonprofit joint venture Medicare-certified hospice program.

United Church Homes residents needing hospice and palliative care soon can receive services provided by Ohio’s Hospice at United Church Homes while remaining in the comfort of their community. The new partnership aims to expand service offerings, improve care coordination and provide individuals facing serious illness with improved care.

“Our goal was to form a strategic alliance with Ohio’s leading nonprofit provider of hospice, palliative care and chronic disease management services to improve the scope and quality of care for residents,” said Rev. Kenneth Daniel, president and CEO of United Church Homes. Each organization brings unique strengths, established reputations and networks that create exciting possibilities, such as future expansion into inpatient and home- and community-based hospice services.

UCH is a leading provider of healthcare services and residential housing for nearly 5,000 older adults. It works to transform care and aging through innovative programs and partnerships, and by building a culture of community, wholeness and peace.

Dayton-based Ohio’s Hospice is an affiliation of nine nonprofit hospice organizations in Ohio committed to increasing access and service offerings to reduce suffering, pain, helplessness and unwanted waiting for people in need of hospice, palliative care and chronic disease management services.

“This partnership will improve well-being for older adults who choose hospice and palliative care when they are seriously ill or approaching end of life,” said Chuck Mooney, senior vice president of senior living services and COO of United Church Homes. “It’s more compassionate to keep residents in a comfortable setting, with care teams they know, and provide additional services as needs change.

“This new coordinated care model also creates peace of mind for families who want to support their loved ones who are in declining health,” Chuck added.

“Working together, Ohio’s Hospice and United Church Homes will establish new benchmarks in care for Ohio seniors, ensuring Ohio communities have access to a comprehensive continuum of care and world-class end-of-life, palliative and chronic disease management care,” said Kent Anderson, president and CEO of Ohio’s Hospice. “Each organization brings expertise, resources and a shared commitment to the people we will serve through this dynamic joint venture.”

Services through Ohio’s Hospice at United Church Homes will be available first in the Dayton, Ohio, area at UCH’s Trinity and Fairwood Village communities in Beavercreek and Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge) in Fairborn. Over time, services will be offered at all Ohio UCH senior living communities and in their surrounding areas.