My Journey with Community Care Hospice OC
By Cristina Allen
When I founded Community Care Hospice OC, my vision was never simply to create another cookie-cutter hospice agency. My dream is to offer greater resources that expand to assemble a true community of care. Hospice, at its heart, is about valuing every person’s sacred journey with tranquility and empathy. But to me, it also means reaching outward: supporting the families, caregivers and loved one who walk alongside our patients. This dedication to our community is one of the many values which sets us apart and has become a guiding principle in everything we do.
One of the most powerful ways we bring this philosophy to life is by embedding ourselves deeply into the local community. We partner with colleges such as the UCI Wen Public Health Undergraduate and Graduate programs. Providing pre-nursing students with internships offers our future hands-on experience and teaches true compassionate care. This time with our interns brings our team so much fulfillmentt in watching these young professionals grow in both skill and empathy during their time with us.
Spiritual care is another cornerstone of our work. Through chaplain interns, we are able to extend support not only within board and care facilities and even hospitals, but also to organizations like local police departments and local veterans’ groups. These volunteers help create bridges of understanding, offering comfort and conversation to individuals who may otherwise feel isolated or unheard. I am especially proud of how our team is opening new lines of communication for veterans, many of whom carry stories and experiences long unspoken.
Our outreach doesn’t stop at patient care. As an agency, we have committed ourselves to being an active presence in the broader community as well. We sponsor veteran-focused events, such as the Veteran Stand Down, and host our own gatherings, from block parties to wellness screenings that include free blood pressure checks. These gatherings are more than events—they are opportunities to weave stronger connections across neighborhoods and generations.
At Community Care Hospice OC, we are extremely proud to be the only hospice agency that offers an additional layer of support with a holistic approach. I often express to families that we care for the whole person – spiritually, emotionally, socially and medically. However, end-of-life care is far more than simply managing physical pain; it is about healing hearts, deepening connections, and creating lasting moments of profound meaning.
Of course, hospice care always begins with the patient. Every family we serve receives a personalized care plan designed by a multidisciplinary team of nurses, physicians, social workers, chaplains, and trained volunteers. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach. We sit, we listen, and we learn from each individual we meet. Pain management and comfort are always at the center of what we do, but we go beyond traditional medicine by offering complementary therapies—services that come at no cost to the patient or their loved ones.
My team and I are dedicated to setting a higher bar for end-of-life care in Orange County. To us, hospice isn’t just a medical service—it’s a ministry of heart, a calling, and a chance to leave a legacy of love. With each patient we serve, each family we comfort, and each veteran or neighbor we engage, we are not simply providing hospice care. We are building a community of compassion, one life at a time.
