Members of the executive committee of Washington Area Faith In Action heard a presentation by Patsy Massey of United Hospice. Left to right are Mrs. Massey, Rev. Albert Huyck, Cynthia Johnson (a guest), Joe Harris, Rev. Andy Perryman, James Sherrer, and Audra Chapman. At its regular monthly meeting, the executive committee of Washington Area Faith In Action heard Patsy Massey of United Hospice, a volunteer coordinator for the Athens office.

Hospice provides a wide range of services for those who have been diagnosed with having six months or less to live. "Once hospice is committed, services of a physician, a nurse, a volunteer, and a chaplain are all provided and with this attention, the patient's condition frequently improves," Massey says.

Massey recruits volunteers for a 12-county area for which, in addition to their formal program, they provide a range of crafts and other recreational options for patients through a Committed to Caring Committee. The committee provides services to a range of persons having social and medical needs, including children, veterans and domestic abuse cases.

One service with which they have found great success is the pets-astherapy program for nursing home residents. When asked about any overlap of hospice territories, she said that hospice organizations generally have no specific geographic districts.

Andy Perryman, in reviewing United Hospice services, mentioned the organization as the one most widely known in his work experience. Perryman is the Georgia Baptist Association Missionary, recently accepting the local position and moving to Washington, and a new member of the Faith In Action executive committee.

Massey can be reached at 706-552-1699 in Athens or through Washington Area Faith In Action, Joe Harris, President. Faith In Action is a contracting agency of the CSRA Area Agency on Aging.