BONNERS FERRY — On May 24, Auburn Crest Hospice officially opened in its new office space with a ribbon cutting ceremony and lunch.

Jennifer Van Etten is the community outreach coordinator for hospice, as well as a nurse. As she greeted guests and showed people around the new, larger office and storage space, she explained how the new office is going to assist not only the staff, but the patients too.

“Hospice is not a place,” VanEtten said. “It’s a philosophy of care that enhances life as it nears the end for the patients, their family and friends.”

When someone is diagnosed with a terminal illness and medicine cannot help, the nurses at Auburn Crest go to their patients and assist in any way they can to make their last days as comfortable as possible with such things as pain management and the execution of last wishes and experiences.

They opened in 2008, bringing Bonner and Boundary counties a much needed service to the area. They also serve areas to the Washington border, Athol, the Canadian border and Montana border.

According to Van Etten, the hospice patients family plays the most important role in their care, and the staff at Auburn Crest Hospice recognize their struggle and do their best to assist in any way possible.

“We truly individualize care because we strive to know our clients as individuals with rich backgrounds, unique wishes and who deserve the choice to live every moment,” Van Etten said. “We humbly appreciate the opportunity to serve our clients, families and community. Our greatest desire is to honor them by helping to make their last days of life the best days possible.”

Auburn Crest’s new office boasts not only a larger office space, but more space to store supplies as well. Van Etten proudly showed off the office to visitors, being sure to point out all of the features that will assist the staff in completing their tasks and goals.

The new office is located at 6541 Main St., next to Badger Den. Their phone number is 208-267-0582 and online at auburncrest.com.