Hospice Care
In recognition of National Homecare and Hospice Month, Dr. Jeff Zesiger, Medical Director and Palliative Care Specialist, and Maureen Groden, Registered Nurse, MS, and Hospice and Palliative Care Manager of the VNA & Hospice of Cooley Dickinson, Inc., were guests of WGBY's "Doctors on Call" program Tuesday, November 16th to discuss end-of-life care and locally available services.
Hospice adds life to days when days can no longer be added to life
The hospice program of the Visiting Nurse & Hospice (VNA&H) of Cooley Dickinson cares for terminally ill patients and their families, primarily at home. Our goal is to improve each patient’s quality of living during his or her final stage of life. Hospice care does not hasten or postpone death, but helps patients and families live life fully, prepare for death, and maintain personal control over their lives for as long as possible.
The Program
Patients and families facing the challenge of a life limiting illness often feel overwhelmed. Hospice can help. The hospice program offers a medically-supervised, nurse-coordinated team of professionals, home health aides and volunteers who provide for the psychological, physical, social and spiritual needs of the patient/family throughout the illness and bereavement experience.
Hospice offers comfort at the end of life and a dignified death for patients. Pain and symptom control are of primary importance. Spiritual care and counseling are also provided. Hospice allows people to maintain comfort, independence and dignity.
Hospice staff is available by phone seven days a week, 24 hours a day, wherever the patient lives. Visits are made by staff according to the patient’s condition and needs. At the time of death, a hospice staff member will pronounce and provide support to loved ones.
Quality
The hospice program of the Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Cooley Dickinson is Medicare/Medicaid certified and licensed by the Department of Public Health of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The organization has been accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
Services
The hospice program offers an array of services including:
- Skilled Nursing Care
- Physician Collaboration
- Medications
- Medical Supplies and Equipment
- Volunteer Support
- Home Health Aide
- Social Work Counseling
- Spiritual Care
- Physical and Occupational Therapy Consultation
- Inpatient Hospitalizations and Respite Care
- Bereavement Support Services
Eligibility
- The patient has a terminal illness with a limited life expectancy of six months or less if the disease runs it’s natural course.
- The patient/family realize that the goals of hospice is to provide comfort care and symptom management to enhance the patient’s quality of life.
- Consent from the patient’s primary care physician and the hospice medical director is established before admission to the program.
- Hospice provides care to the residents of Hampshire County and its bordering cities and towns.
Admission to hospice is based on the patient/family need, and the organizations’ ability to provide quality services. Hospice does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, age, religion, creed, color, national origin, martial status or sexual preference.
Funding Sources
Reimbursement for hospice services may come from Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance plans, or direct patient payments. Hospice staff is available to discuss financial concerns, and applications for financial assistance are available.
Hospice depends greatly on the generosity of families, friends, and businesses to help support its services. General contributions and memorial gifts are always welcome and are tax-deductible to the full extent provided by law.
Please, contact
us today for more information!
