We plan ahead for so many things in life —getting married, having a baby, retirement, even preparing for a funeral. With the conversation about death and dying becoming more open, Rowan Hospice & Palliative Care has slated an open house at their Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House to help people learn more about the many services and special care offered.

The open house is set for 1 to 5 p.m. on Monday, at the Kiser House, 1229 Statesville Blvd. Other open houses will take place across the region next week as part of this month’s observance of Hospice Month.

Dari Caldwell, president of Novant Health Rowan Medical Center, knows first-hand about the excellent care that hospice provides for patients and their families.

“I’ve cared for members of my own family,” she notes, “and with the support of Hospice, I was able to take my nursing hat off and be a daughter and a sister. I want people to know that you are entitled to the Hospice Benefit. Families shouldn’t go through it alone in those final months when a loved one is ill.”

She continued, “I strongly encourage people to drop by the open house to learn more about the great programs and services our Rowan Hospice & Palliative Care has to offer.”

For Nancy Shirley, whose husband Steve died in 2013, Rowan Hospice was a godsend.

“We started with hospice care at home, but when Steve needed 24-hour care, we moved to the Kiser Hospice House. A lot of people do think they want to die at home — you know how comfortable it is to be at home,” Nancy says. “But if folks could see how homey and comfortable the Kiser House is, the decision to go there would not be so difficult.

“I’d encourage anyone who’s interested in what hospice can offer to go and visit, and see what it’s all about. And go before the need arises.”

Nancy continues, “Steve told me, ‘Nancy, you do what’s best for you’ when he and I discussed his end-of-life care. There’s plenty of space at the Kiser House for family and friends. It has beautiful sunrooms and porches. We had people who visited us and shared meals with us there. It was almost like being at home. We did not regret the decision to contact Rowan Hospice and then to utilize their Kiser House. Our whole family was pleased.”

Besides touring the Kiser Hospice House and meeting staff, visitors can also find out about free advance care planning and grief counseling, part of the services offered by Rowan Hospice & Palliative Care, according to Ann Gauthreaux, regional director of public relations.

“We find that planning for end-of-life care is a very practical thing,” she said, “and that people who do make their wishes known have an incredible peace of mind after those important conversations and decisions have been made.”

She continues, “Certainly, we want people to visit the Kiser House, but more importantly, we want people to be aware of the variety of services we offer to patients and their families. Far too many people think that hospice is a place to go to die, but in reality, we provide so much hope and support to patients and families in the final months of life. We know it takes courage to call, but almost everyone who does wishes they’d called sooner.”

For more information about Rowan Hospice & Palliative Care, please visit www.rowanhospice.org or call 704-637-7645.