Heartlinks Statement on the Closure of Yakima’s Cottage in the Meadow

Stand with us in supporting hospice care by donating to Heartlinks or volunteering your time.

It is with great sadness that Heartlinks acknowledges the recent announcement by MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital regarding the closure of Cottage in the Meadow, their general inpatient hospice unit. Cottage in the Meadow has played a vital role in providing specialized hospice care, offering a sanctuary for patients requiring short-term management of pain and other acute or chronic symptoms that are difficult to control in other settings.

The closure of such an essential facility is a significant loss to our community. However, Heartlinks remains dedicated to ensuring that those in need continue to receive the highest level of care. We want to reassure our community that Heartlinks has the capability and expertise to deliver similar levels of care through our Continuous Home Care (CHC) program. This program allows us to provide intensive, round-the-clock care in the comfort and familiarity of a patient’s own home, ensuring that families can stay close to their loved ones during critical times.

Heartlinks, established by Yakima community members in 1978, has a deep-rooted history in our community, grounded in a mission to provide compassionate care. Our commitment to expanding access to quality hospice care continues, as evidenced by our recent addition of more nurses to our Yakima County team. This growth enhances our robust team of social workers, spiritual care providers, and certified nursing assistants, all dedicated to supporting patients and families through the challenging end-of-life journey.

We understand that hospice care is a vital, yet often underfunded, benefit for Medicare beneficiaries. The need for community support is more crucial than ever. As a nonprofit organization, Heartlinks relies on the generosity of individuals and organizations to continue providing comprehensive hospice services to all who need them, regardless of their ability to pay.

We encourage our community to stand with us in supporting hospice care. By donating to Heartlinks or volunteering your time, you help ensure that compassionate, skilled care remains accessible to our friends and neighbors in need.

For more information about our services, or to learn how you can contribute to our mission, please contact Shelby Moore, Executive Director at 509-837-1676.