What is Hospice?
Hospice is a philosophy of caring for persons who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. It recognizes that death is a part of the human life cycle and that every person has the right to die with dignity, in peace and comfort. Hospice neither postpones nor hastens death; it exists to give aid so that you and your family might be free to attain a measure of mental and spiritual readiness for death that is satisfactory to you.
Who Does Hospice Serve?
Persons who seek care when a cure is not possible and who have a life expectancy of six months or less are considered for services. Care continues to be directed by your personal physician. Availability of family members to participate in your care is especially helpful, not only to your care team, but also to you.
Our Hospice Care Services are available to patients in Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Morgan and Perry counties. Hospice allows you to remain in the comfort of your own home or place of residence and allows you and your family to make major decisions about your program of care. Our unique Hospice team approach offers families medical, emotional, social and spiritual care during this time.
The Hospice Team and Services Provided
Nursing Care includes assessment, teaching, pain and symptom control with a planned outcome of greater comfort and quality of life. Nurses are available 24 hours a day, every day.
Social Services provide patients and their families counseling, emotional support and help in obtaining needed community and financial resources.
Home Care Aides/Homemakers help with personal care such as bathing and eating and assist with household chores.
Volunteer Services include quiet listening, grocery shopping, baby sitting, respite visits, transportation, personal care & household duties.
Bereavement Care helps families cope with the death of a loved one and is available to families for 13 months.
Other services include:
- Dietary Consultation
- Pastoral Care
- Physical, Speech, and Occupational Therapies
- Medical Equipment and Medications required for the care of the terminal illness
How You Can Help
Volunteering is one way you can help. Hospice volunteers provide aid to patients and their families and perform a variety of other Hospice endeavors. Some groups volunteer to sponsor and assist with fund-raising projects.
Another way to help is by making a contribution. Your gift allows Hospice to increase the number of services we can offer.
Contributions take many forms. Gifts may be designated in memory or in honor of an individual, restricted to a specific purpose, designated for an endowment, or unrestricted.
Please contact us for more information, whether to help out by volunteering or making a tax-deductible contribution.