Know Your Neighbor: AMOREM

“It is important to let people know what you believe in and to not spread negativity about what you don’t have,” says David Jackson, CEO of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce.

Jackson has been a supporter of AMOREM’s mission to provide quality, thoughtful, loving care to patients and support to families and to offer education and grief support to communities served dating back to when the organization was still known as Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care.

Jackson’s connection to hospice care services stretches far beyond a Chamber of Commerce relationship. His mother worked for a hospice organization in Greensboro, NC, for more than a decade and after a serious illness diagnosis, she spent her end-of-life journey in the hospice patient care unit there.

“These hospice patient care units make families feel as if they have a home,” says Jackson. “At such a vulnerable time it is important for families to have a resource like a patient care unit right in their backyard. That is something that you can’t put a price on. You witness staff helping to create an environment for families where they don’t have to be caregivers anymore. The value of that time cannot be measured and that is one of the beautiful things that a patient care unit facility can give – time. Specifically, time without stress.”

Hospice patients often need more support to address pain, symptoms and needs at the end of life than can be provided at home. In 2021, the state granted AMOREM’s request to build a patient care unit in the High Country. The AMOREM High Country patient care unit will have seven beds with a full-time local staff dedicated to providing compassionate end-of-life care for residents of Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties. The home-like environment will provide large patient rooms and comfortable family areas in a peaceful setting on Moonstruck Lane in Boone. Appalachian Architecture designed the beautiful facility and Greene Construction has overseen the project. Currently, High Country residents must travel one to two hours to reach the closest hospice patient care unit.

“When I was asked to be a part of this campaign for AMOREM, it was an easy yes,” says Jackson, “not only because of the Chamber of Commerce but also because of my family ties to hospice. I was so encouraged to hear that there was a hospice unit like the one that my mother worked for and experienced end-of-life in that had lofty goals and expectations coming to Boone.”

For Jackson, joining the Quality. Compassion. Support. Campaign was the perfect marriage of truly believing in the mission of AMOREM and having the platform to help share education and a vision that can impact the High Country tremendously.

Jackson believes that is important to be able to show support and amplify support for things that are going to make a positive impact on the community at large. It can be easy to fall into the trap of pointing out the things that a community lacks so when something positive arises, it is important to grab it and take it as far as you possibly can. This is the attitude that inspired Jackson to make his first contribution to the Quality. Compassion. Support. Campaign.

“The vision of the patient care unit provides hope to people who need support and to people who may not even know that they need it yet,” says Jackson. “I would tell the story every day to let people know about the High Country Patient Care Unit. It is powerful to let people know what you believe in and to not spread negativity.”

Jackson has also been inspired by fellow community members who advocate for the High Country patient care unit. He admires Anne Marie Yates for her advocacy towards the patient care unit, Evalyn Pierce for sharing her father’s story and experience with AMOREM and AMOREM facilities, the Harmon family for their continued support and many other community members and leaders.

“I am my mother’s child,” says Jackson, “She would find a cause, latch on and not let go. My work ethic comes from her waking up every morning and helping someone until the time she went to sleep that night.”

Jackson states that it simply felt right to support the Quality. Compassion. Support. Campaign and let people in his community know what this facility can be for residents of the High Country. He explains the importance of letting his community know that this is not simply a long-term care facility or an assisted living facility; it is something completely separate and unique in the healthcare arena and it needs to be that way and needs to stand out.

“One of the biggest things I have seen AMOREM advocate for is the quality of life,” says Jackson, “Families want to know what healthcare is available to them and being able to add this to the list of services in the High Country is incredibly helpful for families who are local and for families that are looking to put down roots in the High Country. AMOREM provides comfort and understanding in ensuring that their compassionate and incredibly skilled nurses are there to support patients and families. They are a leader in healthcare and are always thinking of that next service to be provided to families and caregivers.”

AMOREM plans to open the High Country patient care unit and accept its first patient in early 2025. Care teams will consist of skilled hospice and palliative care providers, registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, medical social workers, chaplains and volunteers.

“I hope that people see just how well executed this master plan for the High Country has been and how timely this has all come together,” says Jackson. “The timeline was aggressive and was met. When the next need comes, I hope that people remember that this is an organization that did what they said they would do. I don’t see anything that would stop me from getting behind the next campaign.”

To learn more about how your gift can impact residents of the High Country Community and help to support the High Country patient care unit, visit www.amoremsupport.org/donate/high-country-capital-campaign or call 828.754.0101 to speak with a local team member.

Wondering if you’re eligible for the Know Your Neighbor Member Benefit? If you’re a Visibility Level member or higher, great news—you are! Email megan@boonechamber.com for details.