Unity is pleased to announce $10,000 in funding from The Door County Community Foundation on behalf of Bargains Unlimited Charitable Fund and Growing Older Fund to cover costs related to Unity’s palliative program, Supportive Care Management (SCM).

As identified through Discuss Door County and reported in the 2023 American Community Survey Demographic and Housing Estimates, Door County is one of the oldest counties in Wisconsin, with 41% of residents age 60 or older and projections approaching 50% by 2030. Health care provider shortages persist, with only one primary care provider for every 1,450 residents and one mental health provider for every 780 people, both well below statewide averages (County Health Rankings). These gaps make timely, coordinated care especially difficult for older adults living with serious illness.

SCM addresses these challenges by providing a multidisciplinary palliative care team including a nurse practitioner, registered nurse, social worker, and chaplain, all who make house visits. Unity’s SCM team works alongside a patient’s existing healthcare providers to deliver coordinated, home-based care tailored to each patient’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. SCM offers patients and families trusted guidance, personalized support, and 24/7 nurse access, helping reduce stress and prevent avoidable hospitalizations. The program also responds to community concerns related to isolation and limited in-home support through regular check-ins and connections to additional resources and services.

This model improves quality of life while also reducing costs for individuals and the broader healthcare system. Research consistently shows that early palliative care leads to better symptom management, increased patient and caregiver satisfaction, and fewer unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

Support from the Door County Community Foundation and Bargains Unlimited represents an opportunity to enrich the quality of life for seniors throughout Door County. By investing in Supportive Care Management, the Foundation helps strengthen a proven model of care that promotes independence, reduces avoidable healthcare crises, and honors the dignity and values of aging residents and their families.
Anyone can refer a patient to Unity’s SCM program. A doctor’s referral is not required. For more information or make a referral, visit www.unityhospice.org/pallliative-care or call Unity at 920-338-1111.

About Unity
Unity is Northeast Wisconsin’s pioneering not-for-profit healthcare provider that offers a full complement of care solutions including nonmedical home care, supportive palliative care, hospice care, and grief support. With a commitment to seamlessly adapt care to the everchanging needs of each patient and family, Unity works tirelessly to enhance quality of life through innovative services and unique programs ensuring the wishes and goals of patients and families are always met.

Unity partners with area skilled nursing facilities, assisted-living facilities, and pharmacies, ensuring seamless care in all settings. Unity is the sole organization offering inpatient hospice at seven area hospitals and is a collaboration between Bellin Health, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center, and HSHS St. Vincent Hospital. Established as the third hospice program in the nation, Unity launched Wisconsin’s first palliative care program in 2002, the area’s first hospice residence in 2007, the region’s only Grief and Education Center in 2021, and the area’s first pediatric hospice program in 2024. Learn more at https://unityhospice.org/.