Nonprofit Hospice Care Offers Help, Hope and Guidance Through Uncertain Times

“You have 10 days to live,” the doctor told John. What do you do with only 10 days? John picked up his phone and called his little brother, Stan. His kidneys were failing. The next morning Stan was on a plane to Hawai‘i to be with his brother. Back in their younger days, John and Stan would spend time at the beach. Stan thought it would be wonderful to relive those brotherly memories. Navian Hawaii helped to make this possible.
“You have 10 days to live,” the doctor told John. What do you do with only 10 days? John picked up his phone and called his little brother, Stan. His kidneys were failing. The next morning Stan was on a plane to Hawai‘i to be with his brother. Back in their younger days, John and Stan would spend time at the beach. Stan thought it would be wonderful to relive those brotherly memories. Navian Hawaii helped to make this possible.

Navian Hawaii’s comprehensive, interdisciplinary program of care is designed to provide patient-centered care for every life journey, offering relief from suffering, support for the entire family, and hope, compassion and love.

Navian focuses on patients’ and their families’ physical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual well-being. United as Navian Hawaii, we are on a journey to improve the lives of Hawai‘i’s people, to celebrate every one of life’s  moments and to navigate always in the direction of hope.

Originally founded as Hospice Hawaii in 1979, Navian has built a strong reputation for providing quality hospice care on O‘ahu, Molokai and Lāna‘i. In 2019, Navian expanded its services to include Integrated Care.

With this expanded model of care came the new name. “Navian,” formed from the words “navigator” and “guardian,” is a modern take on the critical roles each staff member performs. As navigators, the Navian ‘ohana provides clarity and guidance through times of uncertainty. As guardians, they provide care for people and protect their wishes.

John was provided with a special chair to keep him comfortable during outings. It was a perfect day as Stan eased John into Waikiki’s inviting waters. John felt the warm sunshine on his face, he felt the cool ocean water caress his skin and he also felt something he hadn’t felt in a while — hope — hope that his last days didn’t have to be filled with pain, but could be infused with love and wonderful memories. John surpassed his initial diagnosis and lived three additional months.
John was provided with a special chair to keep him comfortable during outings. It was a perfect day as Stan eased John into Waikiki’s inviting waters. John felt the warm sunshine on his face, he felt the cool ocean water caress his skin and he also felt something he hadn’t felt in a while — hope — hope that his last days didn’t have to be filled with pain, but could be infused with love and wonderful memories. John surpassed his initial diagnosis and lived three additional months.

Navian continues to bring hope, reduce fear and impact lives as a trusted, local nonprofit organization, fulfilling needs in Hawai‘i by providing education, cultivating acceptance, and guiding patients and families through their journey.

Hospice Means Hope

Hospice is really about hope. Navian’s caregivers are dedicated to helping patients and their families face this transition without fear, but with hope and unconditional love.

The care Navian provides allows individuals to remain at home or in their chosen setting and to live life to the fullest with their loved ones. Navian cares for the whole family by providing relief from physical, emotional and mental suffering.

Many patients who go through our hospice care program continue to live very productive and rewarding lives — without pain and anxiety.

Many people think that hospice is only for cancer patients or the elderly, but more than half of our hospice patients are diagnosed with conditions such as heart failure, dementia or chronic lung disease. Navian also has the state’s first pediatric hospice care program that offers comprehensive care for children and their families.

Bob was diagnosed with prostate cancer and stage three kidney disease. It was difficult news for a farmer who was used to working the land and nurturing the trees. A dedicated team from Hospice Hawaii ensured that Bob was comfortable.
Bob was diagnosed with prostate cancer and stage three kidney disease. It was difficult news for a farmer who was used to working the land and nurturing the trees. A dedicated team from Hospice Hawaii ensured that Bob was comfortable.

Navian Hawaii’s Hospice Care program provides support to enhance comfort and promote the quality of life for individuals with life-limiting conditions. Typically, hospice services are available to patients who have six months or less to live, should the disease run its course. A patient can self-refer or be referred by a physician, family member or other loved one at any time.

Hospice care is fully covered by most health insurance programs, including Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance providers. No one who is medically eligible will be turned away if they are unable to pay for the services.

Integrated Care Offers Specialized Support

People living with serious illness who aren’t ready for hospice care, but require support services to improve their quality of life can receive Integrated Care, which provides specialized medical and emotional support for patients living with serious, but treatable illness.

Meet Aaron. “He’s such a goofball,” says Tamra, when asked to describe her 5-yearold son. He has metachromatic leukodystrophy, a rare disease that attacks the nervous system. Through Navian Hawaii’s Little Things, Big Differences program, Aaron was provided assistance and care to help him breathe easier.
Meet Aaron. “He’s such a goofball,” says Tamra, when asked to describe her 5-yearold son. He has metachromatic leukodystrophy, a rare disease that attacks the nervous system. Through Navian Hawaii’s Little Things, Big Differences program, Aaron was provided assistance and care to help him breathe easier.

Seriously ill patients who live alone, and have limited resources and caregiver support may find it difficult to navigate the healthcare system. The Integrated Care program alleviates those challenges and helps end the vicious cycle of unmet care needs that often leads to hospitalization.

Anyone can refer a patient to Integrated Care and there are no time limitations on this service. Care settings may include a patient’s home, skilled nursing facility or residential care home.

How to Get Involved

• Make a Donation: Contributions directly help patients and their families. Navian raises funds throughout the year to ensure that eligible patients are never turned away.

• Volunteer: There are no words that can express the impact a regular volunteer can have on the well-being of a terminally-ill patient. New volunteers are accepted on an ongoing basis. Navian strives to align volunteers with their interests. There is a role for everyone.

• Attend Navian’s Community Connect Educational Series: This monthly series of one-hour webinars connects caregivers with community partners and resources.

• Join an Adult Grief Support Group: Navian offers ongoing support groups to help those who have lost a loved one move through the healing process. Virtual group sessions are held monthly.

• Participate in one of Navian’s Annual Events: Each year, Navian hosts A Night To Remember memorial service and a gala.

If you or a loved one are in need of hospice care or Integrated Care, contact Navian using the information below.


NAVIAN HAWAII (501(c) 3 nonprofit)
808-924-9255 | www.navianhawaii.org

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