These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
1Listen and ask what matters
You can say"Thank you for trusting me with this. What matters most to you right now?"
You can ask"Has a doctor talked with you about hospice or comfort care?"
You can ask"Who do you want with you? Is there family we should help you reach?"
Severe pain, trouble breathing, or a sudden change: call 911.
911 (Grant County Regional Dispatch)
Emergency: police, fire, ambulance
911
Silver City · 24/7
2Comfort care and hospice
Palliative (comfort) care treats pain and other symptoms at any stage of illness.
Hospice is comfort care when a doctor thinks a person may have 6 months or less. Nurses, aides, a social worker and a chaplain come to where the person lives.
Ambercare
Hospice care
575-388-1395
1290 E 32nd St, Silver City · 24/7 on-call
Mesilla Valley Hospice - Center for Grief Services
Hospice care and La Posada inpatient hospice unit
575-523-4700
299 E. Montana Ave, Las Cruces · 24/7
Gila Regional Medical Center
Case management and discharge planning
575-538-4000
1313 E 32nd St, Silver City · 24/7 main line
3If they have no home
Silver City Care Center (Genesis HealthCare)
Nursing home, short-term rehab and memory care
575-388-3127
3514 Fowler Avenue, Silver City · 24/7 facility; call for admissions
Fort Bayard Medical Center (NM Dept of Health)
State nursing home / long-term care
575-537-8900
41 Fort Bayard Rd, Santa Clara
At the Gospel MissionWomen and children can ask Mission staff about space at Sierra House.
4Write down their wishes
End of Life Options New Mexico
Free help with advance directives and end-of-life planning
505-393-1321
New Mexico State Bar Foundation - Legal Resources for the Elderly Program (LREP)
Free legal helpline for people 55 and older
800-876-6657
· Statewide phone/online; Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
5Support for them and their family
At the Gospel MissionPeer support counselors can sit and listen. Prayer is there if wanted, never required.
Cancer Support Community
Cancer Support Helpline (free phone and chat counseling)
888-793-9355
· Mon-Thu 9:00am-6:00pm, Fri 9:00am-4:00pm Mountain time
Mesilla Valley Hospice - Center for Grief Services
Free grief counseling and support for the community
575-525-5752
299 E Montana Ave, Las Cruces · By appointment. Public groups (registration required): Thu 10am Grief Cafe; Thu 1pm Parents of Adult Children; Thu 4pm Open Group; 1st & 3rd Thu 11:15am Spanish group
See the guide "Grieving a death and needs support".
More help like this
Someone collapsed, isn't breathing, or won't wake upUse when someone falls down and won't respond, isn't breathing normally, is only gasping, or is found unconscious on the ground, in a doorway or in a car.Someone is bleeding badlyUse when someone has a deep cut, stab or gunshot wound, or blood is spurting, pooling or soaking through clothes or bandages.Sick, out of medicine, or has no doctor or insuranceUse when someone is sick or hurt, has run out of medicine, or has no doctor or health insurance.Someone is chokingUse when someone can't breathe, talk or cough because food or something is stuck in their throat, or is holding their throat. Includes babies and children.Leaving the hospital with nowhere to goUse when someone is being discharged from the hospital or a treatment program and has no home or no one to care for them.Someone may be having a stroke or heart attackUse when someone suddenly has a drooping face, a weak arm, trouble speaking, or chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, or cold sweat.
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This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer
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Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City,
575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.