Cambridge Rotary hears from expert on hospice care

Lauren Blair, MSW, LMSW, spoke to members of the Rotary Club of Cambridge about her work as the community relations and development manager and Caregiver Academy moderator at Coastal Hospice in Salisbury.

She began her talk by making the distinction between palliative and hospice care, which many people confuse. Lauren said palliative care specifically deals with quality of life while still focusing on care. Hospice focuses on comfort support care.

She stressed hospice support care not only includes the patient, but the family and friends. A team is created to help provide medical management, durable equipment, supplies and caregiver training.

Blair told the rotarians, “beyond the obvious services, the patient, family and caregivers can receive assistance with completing their five wishes.”

Through the Coastal Caregiver Academy, regular meetings and seminars are held to provide information to make things easier. They also make bereavement care available, which they encourage beginning before the patient dies. This helps with preparation and lasts for a period after the death of the patient to help the family with adjustment.

Blair explained that most people have no idea what services are available or what benefits they have. She said her team says, “If you have questions, ask.”

A native of Worcester County, Blair received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Salisbury University, where she graduated summa cum laude. With more than 17 years of experience in the field, she is a licensed master social worker in Maryland and a licensed clinical social worker in Delaware.

A member of the Grace Center of Maternal and Women’s Health board of directors, she was a 2023 nominee for Women to Watch of the Chesapeake. Blair co-authored the “Dementia Care Patient and Caregiver Resource Guide” and is currently co-authoring the “Dementia Care Provider Guide.” She said she is committed to helping providers, patients and their loved ones recognize how hospice services can help.

Blair and her husband, Justin, have been married for 13 years and have a 3-year-old daughter.