In 1979, a group of local volunteers wanted to provide our community with hospice services. The work of these wonderful volunteers led to the creation of Yolo Hospice. Yolo Hospice was developed on the principal that dying is a normal part of life and it affects the whole being; mind, body, and spirit. It also recognizes that the care of the dying person affects the family and all those that love them.
Yolo Hospice, a nonprofit, community-based organization, was run by volunteers until it became Medicare and Medi-Cal certified in 1995. Since then, Yolo Hospice has developed a highly trained interdisciplinary team that includes physicians, nursing staff, social workers, spiritual care counselors, nursing assistants, bereavement specialists, and a large base of volunteers specially trained in end-of-life care.
In 2016, Yolo Hospice introduced YoloCare, a patient-centered palliative care program to support patients with life-limited illnesses and their caregivers. The palliative care program provides an additional layer of support as patients manage the progression of their diagnosis and includes visits from physicians, nurses, social workers and counselors to provide medical, psycho-social and spiritual support as needed.
In 2020, Yolo Hospice moved to change the organization's name to YoloCares to highlight the wide variety of services offered to the community. From the adult day program, Galileo Place, to the counseling services available to community free of charge, YoloCares is much more than hospice. Today, YoloCares remains true to its mission of providing expert and compassionate hospice and palliative care, bereavement support and public education about end-of-life issues. YoloCares has never denied a patient who needed care, including those without financial resources or health insurance.
To serve our communities by providing the highest quality of care for every patient, every family, every time.
One of the most recent programs added to YoloCares services is Galileo Place Adult Day Program.
Galileo Place is a Platinum-Standard adult day program housed in a beautiful 6,000-square-foot facility with an accompanying therapy garden. It is a valued resource for caregivers and those they love.
The goal of Galileo Place is to help each participant feel respected, valued, empowered, and cared for . . . all in an environment filled with activities, socialization, and food. The physical space is marked with light, abundant color and a carefully curated collection of furnishings and art. A family room, art studio, library, game room, kitchen, meditation suite and therapy garden are all specially designed to make participants feel comfortable, engaged and at home.
Galileo Place offers a caring and supportive environment. Participants receive physical and cognitive exercise through group workouts and mind-sharpening games, and most importantly, social interaction and a sense of purpose and community.
Support with managing or practicing Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as walking, eating or personal hygiene are available depending on the capabilities of each participant. A nutritional lunch and snacks are provided daily.
A varied schedule of activities is led by specially trained program staff to support those with mild cognitive impairments and limited mobility.
The daily schedule of activities includes creative arts projects, bingo, trivia and other table games, physical fitness activities, music and memory activities, gardening, lunch and snack times.
Galileo Place is one of few programs that YoloCares does not typically offer for free, as revenue is required to run the program, and philanthropy alone has not been sufficient to support program costs.
However, in 2024, YoloCares received a grant from Yolo County that allowed us to provide Galileo Place services free of charge to 10 low-income clients in our service area for the entire year. That grant has now been fully spent and the grant period is over. Yet, our clients are still in need.
In 2025 gifts received during Big Day of Giving will support Galileo Place Adult Day Program scholarships for low-income families with a loved on in cognitive decline.
Scholarships will allow participants to attend Galileo Place up to five days per week for 6 hours per day, freeing overtaxed and exhausted caregivers for work commitments, respite, and other needs made almost impossible when caring for a loved full time.
In 2024, one participant's son was able to return to his own higher education and better care for his own family due to the safe respite care provided for his father at Galileo Place.
One woman was able to bring her brother to stay with her, knowing he would be safe and happy during her own work hours. This provided respite for other family members and allowed her to continue to earn a living while ensuring her brother was cared for.
Caregivers report that their loved ones are eager to attend Galileo Place. They look forward to the arts and crafts, music, games, drumming, exercise, food, and social time with friends. They go home happy, tired, and find easier and more restful sleep. For many, without Galileo Place, they would sit at home in complete isolation.
2025 Big Day of Giving donations will support the Galileo Place Scholarship Program during the latter part of the year.
YoloCares recognizes that all people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or linguistic background deserve dignity at the end of life. In order to ensure equitable treatment of all patients and clients, YoloCares maintains a culture of inclusion among employees and volunteers. At YoloCares, diversity is celebrated and the unique wishes and preferences of patients and clients are honored.
View our current participation opportunities.
In-Person Volunteering
Citizens Who Care Volunteers
YoloCares
Ongoing opportunity
Organization name
YoloCares
1979
Tax id (EIN)
94-2597528
Mission Category
Health Care
Operating Budget
$10,000,001-$100 million
Organization Need
Funding: Program
Demographics Served
Seniors, Low-income individuals/families, General population
Local Counties Served
Sacramento, Yolo, Placer
Equity Statement
Equity Statement
Address
1909 Galileo Court Suite AYolo, CA, US
Sutter, CA, US
Sacramento, CA, US
Colusa, CA, US
Solano, CA, US