Caring is what
we do best.
When a lack of caregivers and resources prevents a peaceful death at home, Jacob’s Ladder End of Life Legacy Home offers a haven of loving, patient-centered end-of-life care.
Our Story
The journey to make Jacob’s Ladder End of Life Legacy Home a reality began more than sixteen years ago when Camelia Jacob and her husband opened Jacob’s Care Center, a level one residential care facility in Springfield, Missouri.
In 2009, a patient at Jacob’s Care Center inspired the Jacob’s to build a guest home alongside their home so that they could see him through his final days with comfort and care. After caring for Camelia’s parents and others at the end of their lives in their two patient hospice guest house, the Jacob’s began their quest in earnest to change end-of-life care for those in need. The idea to open a nonprofit organization was born.
Working with area organizations, including the Hospice Foundation of the Ozarks, and other existing and emerging social model end-of-life homes from the Omega Network, they began to educate others about the concept and need for social model end-of-life care and build support for their mission.
In 2019, a 3,200 square foot property on North Delaware Avenue was purchased and construction began to turn a shell of a building into a group home where residents can experience their universal right to die in comfort and peace. Jacob’s Ladder was on its way to being a place where peace and love are spoken, and all are welcome, regardless of background, spiritual philosophy or ability to pay.
Jacob’s Ladder End of Life Legacy Home offers end-of-life care through a concept available nowhere else in the Springfield community. The social model end-of-life care home currently has living quarters for two hospice patients, along with overnight accommodations for family members.
Hospice Care Team + Jacob’s Ladder Care Team
While personnel from area hospices provide medical management, Jacob’s Ladder staff bestow round-the-clock comfort and personal care in a clean and inviting indoor and outdoor environment that allows space for visits with family and friends, along with tranquility for quiet contemplation and prayer. Our two-pronged approach ensures that terminal individuals receive complete end-of-life care without duplication of services or sacrificing quality of care.
We envision a future where people have the expectation of dying well, with dignity and supported by experts and compassionate care. Jacob’s Ladder is an essential part of the movement to improve the end-of-life experience for dying individuals and their families in Southwest Missouri.
Meet Our Team
Camelia Jacob
Founder & President
For the past 20 years, Camelia Jacob has been answering a call to care for those in need. Since opening her first care center in 2004, Camelia has been guided by her faith on a mission to provide those who cannot care for themselves and have no place to go with a homelike atmosphere, love and care. Her desire to help individuals experience their final days with peace and compassion comes from a place of deep spiritual devotion and commitment.
Camelia’s experiences with her parents and others at her home brought into focus her passion to serve the Lord through her care for others. Through her many years of experience, as well as working with other members of the health care community, Camelia understands the stark reality of modern death and the great need for improving end-of-life care in the community. She is unwavering in her devotion to create a place where everyone is able to receive quality, loving care in their final days regardless of their ability to pay.
As the angels ascend and descend the ladder guiding the faithful to Heaven, Camelia and her team will help guide individuals through a peaceful departure from this world to the next.
Staff & Board of Directors
Ida Sue Obert
Treasurer
Luchiia Barba
Secretary
Mirela Chakhleu
Manager
Our Trusted Community Partners
Is Jacob’s Ladder Right For Me?
What services are provided at Jacob’s Ladder?
The services provided at Jacob’s Ladder include a full time residence, meals and non-medical comfort care provided by a team of trained caregivers and volunteers 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year, along with support care for guests and families. Medical management is provided by qualified personnel with area hospice agencies and trusted partners.
How much does it cost to receive care at Jacob’s Ladder?
The services at Jacob’s Ladder are provided free of charge or on a sliding scale fee system. Medical hospice care is paid for by Medicare or Medicaid-H, and some private insurance companies.
How do I or my loved one qualify to receive care at Jacob’s Ladder?
Individuals already enrolled in medical hospice care who have reached their final days and do not have adequate caregiving resources at home are eligible to receive individualized, loving care in our comfortable, community home setting.