Through individualized care, hospice provides relief from pain and other stresses of serious and terminal illness, while focusing on a high quality of life for the patient as well as their family members and caregivers. The focus is on helping each person feel comfortable, while still remaining alert and present.

For this end-of-life care, not only do patients get regular help from nurses and medical professionals, but they also often work with a caring team of social workers, therapists, religious leaders and volunteers who help them through the process, and provide comfort and guidance for loved ones as well.

Patients typically receive care in their own home, and in some cases at a nursing home facility. Nursing services are on call any time they are needed, and assistance with personal care, medications, therapies, and equipment are all provided as part of hospice care. Grief support services are also offered for families.

At Jefferson Healthcare Hospice, a holistic approach neither hastens nor postpones death but strives to make each day as meaningful as possible.

Medicare, Medicaid and most private health insurance policies pay for expenses related to terminal illness, including medications and medical equipment. The Hospice Foundation for Jefferson Healthcare raises funds for services not covered by Medicare or private insurance.

WHAT IS COVERED

• An integrated team: Jefferson Healthcare Hospice uses an interdisciplinary, medically-directed team to care for and support our patients as well as their families and caregivers.
• The Hospice team includes our hospice medical director, hospice RNs, social workers, hospice aides, clergy, therapists, trained volunteers, and each patient’s personal health care provider.
• The medical director regularly consults with the patient’s physician and the hospice team.
• On-call nursing support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for pain management and symptom control.
• Hospice certified nursing assistants provide help with personal care.
• RNs make home visits to assess and treat pain, manage symptoms, educate family and the patient, and coordinate care.
• Medical social workers help coordinate access to resources.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED

Services that are not otherwise covered are funded by the Hospice Foundation for Jefferson Healthcare in order to make holistic hospice care options available to our community.