Hospice
St. Mary's Hospice combines the expertise of the physician, nurses, trained volunteers, pastors, social workers, therapists, dieticians, home health aides, and pharmacists to provide end-of-life care.
St. Mary's Hospice is a
comprehensive program for terminally ill patients and their families. To be
eligible for hospice the patient must:
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Have a limited life expectancy of six months or less.
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Desire hospice care and understand that it is geared toward comfort care.
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Have a local physician who is supportive of the hospice concept.
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Have a primary caregiver responsible for the patient 24 hours per day. This can be a combination of family, friends or hired assistants.
There is no charge for hospice care (other than room and board if a patient requires out-of-home care). Medicare/Medicaid or insurance may be used to pay for hospice. Countryside Hospice provides funding to assist local residents if they do not have resources for hospice care. Social workers from St. Mary's assist the family in identifying resources for payment, when needed.
Hospice services can be in a variety of settings: most often, the patient's home, but also in assisted living, or a nursing home. St. Mary's Transitional Care Unit has two palliative care patient rooms with private baths and adjoining family rooms, which provide space for families to gather, make simple meals, and rest. They have comfortable, home-like furnishings, decorated with warm colors and most importantly...privacy. These rooms were funded through community donation and Countryside Hospice.
Extensive Care is a program that provides palliative care for individuals who have advanced chronic and life-threatening illnesses. Patients who receive palliative care have usually decided to continue treatment of their life-threatening illness, or are in St. Mary's hospital or TCU and continue to meet criteria for skilled Medicare services that covers room and board costs. The expertise of many of the professionals listed above is provided, however aide services or specialized referrals are not included as part of the program. There is no cost to the patient or family for services under Extensive Care. Countryside Hospice helps fund the Extensive Care program. Advanced care planning and discussion of life goals as well as referral for assistance are also provided.
Phone: 605-224-3218
