Friends of health
Since 1988, our 501(c)3 has provided assistance to clients and patients of agencies on the Mendocino Coast. We began with serving only hospice patients, but due to the generosity of the community, we have expanded our reach to those who suffer acute or chronic illness. Our first priority is always those facing the end-of-life.
We do this by ...
Responding to requests from local agencies who serve those with limited funds, and facing medical crises.
We do not bill insurance, and trust our partners in determining need. Our goal is to allow people to remain safely in their homes by providing whatever is not covered by insurance or personal funds. We do not discriminate in any way. We work closely with Home Health and hope to help develop Hospice again for the coast. Supporting these patients is the highest priority of FoH.
The following agencies request assistance for their clients:
Adventist Health Home Health and Hospice
Project Sanctuary
Mendocino County Social Services
Adventist Health Mendocino Coast Hospital
Local medical clinics
Churches and other social agencies
We assist in a variety of ways, such as…
Equipment to increase mobility and safety in the home.
The right shoes to a man with severe neuropathy, which prevented damage.
Special eating utensils for a new stroke victim.
Ramps and handrails and minor repairs so people can stay in their homes.
Medications, like antibiotics and morphine, promote healing and reduce suffering.
Safety equipment allowing ease of bathing, and safety bars.
Wigs for chemotherapy patients.
Medical alert devices offer peace of mind to the elderly and their worried families.
A cell phone allows vital connection to 911 and friends.
Overnight lodging for hospice care and extended hospital stays.
Heat and electricity, which improves the odds of healing after a serious illness.
Transportation for medical appointments, including radiation and chemotherapy treatment.
Catheters, diapers, diabetes tests and more.
Last wishes: Birthday parties for loved ones, celebratory meals, and attending special events.
“Dear FOH, Thank you for your helpful and generous presence in our community. You have maintained support for those who are dying and seriously ill even when there has been no hospice support. I have made numerous requests over the years for medical equipment and supplies, to provide safety and comfort, easing caregiver burdens for the medically fragile and terminally ill. FOH fills the gaps in care with their financial donations. They do not profit from their generosity and patients never have to pay. The community is extremely grateful for the assistance!”
“Over the years working as a nurse at Mendocino Coast Clinics, there have been situations in which our patients require a little extra assistance accessing the things they need to care for themselves. During these times, I have always been able to rely on the Friends Of Health to come to my aid! Friends of Health has paid for short term supplies of needed medications, purchased bus passes, and helped with medical devices. The extra resources are particularly helpful for patients who do not have access to health insurance coverage and are experiencing a financial hardship. One of my patients who was losing vision, thus no longer able to work, needed eye drops but they were unaffordable. Thankfully, with help from Friends of Health, that patient was able to get the eye drops that were needed, and along with free eye surgery from the Lion’s Eye Foundation, now has recovered sight and is back at work doing great. Requesting help from Friends of Health couldn’t be an easier process either. I just complete an online application form and always receive a prompt response from their staff. Friends of Health is an integral part of our community’s safety net, for which I am grateful.”