Jeralds earns specialized hospice certification

Ashley Jeralds, Hospice Aide with Care Initiatives Hospice, has earned distinction as a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse Assistant (CHPNA).

Jeralds had been working in elder healthcare for 15 years when she decided she wanted to make a change. “Becoming a hospice aide allows more one-on-one time with my patients and really become part of the family,” Jeralds said.

Jeralds achieved the certification by completing 500 hours of practice under supervision by a registered nurse and passing the Hospice & Palliative Credentialing Center exam.

Care Initiatives Hospice provides hospice care in whatever setting is best for a patient, whether it be a nursing home, assisted living, hospital or at home. Hospice care is a Medicare and Medicaid benefit and is covered by most private health insurance plans. Hospice care is about providing comfort and support for both the patient and the family. Hospice care is tailored to each patient’s needs and is geared towards increasing the quality of life at such a vulnerable stage of one’s life.

Care Initiatives Hospice – Greenfield provides services in Audubon, Pottawattamie, Cass, Adair, Guthrie, Madison, Montgomery, Adams, Union, Clarke, Page, Taylor, Ringgold and Decatur counties. Owned and operated by Care Initiatives, based in West Des Moines, Iowa. Care Initiatives Hospice offers its service in 66 Iowa counties from 6 offices throughout the state. Care Initiatives is committed to providing compassionate care for Iowans through all of life’s health transitions.   For more information about Care Initiatives Hospice, visit careinitiativeshospice.org or call 641.743.2264.