Hospice

What is Hospice Care?

For a patient to be on Hospice, they have to have a life expectancy of six months or less, if the disease progression were to run its normal course. When a patient elects the hospice benefit they are accepted a goal of treatment focused on palliative care, comfort and relief from pain and symptoms.

Some common diagnoses for Hospice Admission includes: Cancer, Heart Disease, Pulmonary Disease, Stroke, Coma, Alzheimer's, Dementia, Parkinson's, ALS, End-Stage HIV, End Stage AIDS, Liver Disease, and Renal Disease.

Hospice appropriate individuals may also exhibit some or all of the following: frequent hospitalizations, progressive weight loss, deteriorating mental abilities, recurrent infections, or an overall decline in condition.

Services Provided

We provide clinical management of pain and other symptoms. We offer a 24-hour response by nursing staff. by case management and advocacy, spiritual care, grief and loss counseling, trained volunteers for companionship and respite, and equipment and supplies related to hospice diagnosis. These services can be provided in your home, in nursing facilities, hospitals, and assisted living communities.

Our Team

Our Hospice teams includes physicians, nurse practitioners, hospice nurses, social workers, chaplains, pharmacists, dietitians, home health aides, and a Bereavement Coordinator.

The physician can be a patient's doctor or the Hospice medical director who oversees care. Our Nurse Practitioner will make home visits and work directly with the Hospice Medical Director. They have advanced training in diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Hospice Nurses make regularly scheduled visits and coordinate the patient's plan of care with other team members. Social Workers are available for listening, counseling, and offering practical support with assessments, consultations, education, resources and referral services, advocacy and discharge planning. The chaplain helps with spiritual concerns while giving needed support and kindness. Pharmacists and Dietitians provide support and advice regarding medication, symptom control and nutritional advice when difficulties arise. Home Health Aides assist the patient with personal care needs. Our well-trained Volunteers offer support, family respite time and help with chores, errands, etc. Bereavement services are provided for people dealing with terminal illness or death, following the patient's family up to 13 months after the death of a loved one.

Call us to find out more about hospice care.

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Did you know... ?

Electing hospice care shifts the focus of treatment from aggressive medical curative measures to medical comfort measures.

Hospice makes it possible for patients to continue living the rest of their lives at home, or in a home-like setting, with family and friends. It offers practical education, emotional support and social services to the loved ones of patients. Hospice care lessens fears of patients and loved ones by offering peace, comfort and dignity throughout the patient’s last phase of life. Hospice care enhances the quality of life remaining for the patient through a customized care plan involving the patient’s doctor, hospice nurses, home health aides, social workers, clergy and volunteers.

Patients are immediately entitled to hospice care once they have been diagnosed with an end-stage illness.

End stage illness is defined as 6 months or less to live, should the illness follow its normal course). By selecting hospice care as early as possible, patients and loved ones achieve control of the patient’s environment (home or home-like facility vs. hospital) and better symptom management (comfort care). Through various support systems, hospice care eases the primary caregiver’s burdens, provides substantial cost savings to the patient, and in many cases help fulfill the patient’s final wishes.

Once you're on hospice you can choose to be off hospice.

No matter the situation, patients always have a right to change their care provider. If they choose, they may go back to traditional medical treatment for aggressive, curative care. They may also revoke their current hospice provider for another hospice provider. In addition, if a patient’s condition improves, a discharge from hospice care may be appropriate after a thorough evaluation is performed. Should the patient’s condition decline, he or she may return to hospice care.

Hospice cares for any patient with any incurable illness with a prognosis of six months or less.

Hospice patients have a variety of diagnoses, ranging from cancer, ALS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease to AIDS, COPD, and end-stage heart, liver, pulmonary or renal disease. Hospice also cares for those failing to thrive or with an unspecified debility.

Hospice care is affordable.

Hospice services are covered by Medicaid, Medicare, most private insurance plans, HMOs and other managed care systems.
Some hospices charge patients who have no insurance on a sliding scale, while others provide care for free. Hospice of the Wabash Valley never turns away a patient due to lack of a reimbursement source.

Hospice isn't a single, large organization.

Hospice is not a single place or organization. Some hospices are independent, while others are part of a larger company. Hospices are not all connected together. Both for-profit and non-profit hospices exist. Hospice of the Wabash Valley is a non-profit, independent hospice serving Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo counties.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when it's time to call hospice?

Many families wish they had called sooner. If you or a loved one is experiencing frequent hospitalizations, uncontrolled pain, increasing difficulty with daily activities, or a serious illness that is no longer responding to treatment, it may be time to explore hospice. Our team is always available to answer questions and help determine whether hospice is the right choice—there is never an obligation to begin services simply by asking.

How do I start services with VNA Hospice?

Getting started is simple. A physician, hospital, healthcare provider, family member, or even the patient can contact us to begin the referral process. Our staff will walk you through every step and answer any questions along the way.

Does insurance COVER HOSPICE services?

Many hospice services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans benefits, and most private insurance plans. Our team will gladly help verify your benefits and explain any coverage before services begin.

Who qualifies for hospice care?

Hospice care is available to individuals who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness and whose physician believes they may have six months or less to live if the illness follows its expected course. Every patient's situation is unique, and our team can help determine if hospice is the right option.

Can I continue seeing my own doctor while receiving care?

Yes. We work alongside your primary care physician and other healthcare providers to coordinate your care. Our goal is to complement your existing medical team while ensuring you receive the support you need.

Where can hospice care be provided?

Hospice services can be provided wherever a patient calls home, including a private residence, assisted living community, nursing home, or at the Gibson Family Center when inpatient hospice care is needed for symptom management.

What support is available for family caregivers?

We believe caring for families is just as important as caring for patients. Our team provides education, emotional support, social work services, spiritual care, respite resources, and bereavement support to help loved ones throughout the journey.