Hospice - A different focus of care - It's not giving up! The 1st Hospice program in the USA began in 1974 with Serenity Hospice of Mercer County in 1997.

Hospice care is a course of treatment available when you have a life limiting illness. Instead of spending weeks or maybe months in a hospital setting, you are provided help in the home or home like setting. Approximately 90% of hospice care is in the home with 10% of care given in nursing homes or hospital based care.

Hospice is a full comprehensive system of care, which uses an interdisciplinary team approach visits by professional staff, (which may include; Registered Nurses, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy), are made on an "as needed" basis. An example would be a Registered Nurse coming 1-3 times per week who directly relates to the physician. A social worker might minister as needed by client or family member. A certified nurses aid is scheduled also as the need arises. Hospice is the only health care system mandated by law to provide volunteers and bereavement services in addition to the professional services.

The major task of hospice is managing pain and the symptoms associated with the disease process. Hospice's goal is comfort control rather then curative for the patient.

The patient's family is considered a vital and integral part of the caring process. Since the patient and family are considered a dual unit of care, the needs of the family are also addressed.

Hospice Care is for all ages, and is not only for cancer patients, it also includes any life limiting illness. Hospice believes anyone with a life limiting illness has the right to know accurately and honestly what is happening to them so they can choose a purposeful and meaning life of the time remaining for them. Hospice is a realistic approach for the life limiting diagnosis. Patients are not home bound in the program. If a patient is receiving chemo or radiation that is palliative, the hospice admission is delayed until the course of therapy is finished. Of course, there may be an exception to this rule.

The hospice program is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, V-A and some private insurances. There are some services provided by patients who are indigent and no one is denied care due to lack of funds. A guideline is followed by intake nurses to be sure patients qualify and that hospice care is appropriate for client at this time.

The personnel at Serenity Hospice realize that this time of your life and illness that it is a time when anxiety reaches its peak. Serenity hospice is there to help you and your family in time of need.

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