1. REDUCED FINANCIAL STRAIN

Patients eligible for the Medicare or Medicaid Hospice benefit don’t have to worry about juggling multiple medical bills. They can relax, knowing that visits by the Hospice Team are completely covered.

In addition, oxygen, medical equipment, lab tests, outpatient procedures, stays in the Hospice Care Center and hospitalizations are covered without a co pay.

Many private insurance plans offer similar comprehensive coverage for Hospice. Instead of paying bills, families can concentrate on spending time with their loved ones.

Thanks to the generosity of the community, no one is ever turned away due to an inability to pay.
 
2. COORDINATED CARE
If you've ever tried to coordinate multiple doctors, multiple prescriptions, multiple appointments - all for a single person - and discovered that no one knows what anyone else is doing, you'll appreciate our team approach.

Hospice care is a team-centered way of caring for people. The Team is composed of specialists in hospice care; they coordinate their activities and include the patient and the family in developing an approach to caring for the patient and meeting the family's needs.

Hospice Team members include:
  • The patients's physician
  • Nurses and nursing assistants
  • Therapists
  • Social workers and counselors
  • Pastoral care staff
  • Hospice-trained volunteers
  • Hospice Medical Director
3. MEDICATIONS COVERED
Frequently, the medications required to treat the symptoms of a serious illness are very expensive.

Often, they are not covered by Medicare Part D or require a co-pay from other insurance.

The Hospice Medicare Benefit covers - at 100% with no co-pay - all medications required to keep the patient comfortable.

Our pharmacy plan provides home delivery of medication. Our staff assists with prescription refills and they are sent directly to you.

No more last minute trips to the pharmacy!
 
4. HELP FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Families may be thrown into turmoil when they learn there are no more treatments for a loved one's serious illness.

Sometimes, it's hard to talk about the impact of the situation with the family. Many times, patients want to protect their families from feeling sad or frightened - and families don't want patients to think they have given up hope.

that is why the family is such an important part of the care Hospice provides. Our social workers and counselors are specially trained and talented in easing communication and providing support.

Each Hospice professional and volunteer has a caring heart and a listening ear.
 
5. FOR MORE THAN CANCER
Hospice cares for anyone who needs care and who has a disease that - if it runs its normal course - could take their life in six months. This means that we care for everyone from babies to gradparents. And we care for people suffering from heart disease, lung disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, kidney disease, cance - whatever the disease may be.

Hospice doesn't mean giving up hope. It means turning to specialized care aimed at making everyone - both the patient and the family - more comfortable.

Research shows that people who receive hospice care, on avergae, live 29 days longer than those who don't. Our goal is to make whatever time a person has as comfortable and as meaningful as possible.
 
6. NEED US? WE'RE THERE
It's 7:00 p.m. The doctor's office is closed. And, suddenly, your loved one is in pain. Sound familiar?

Things seem more worrisome after the sun goes down. That's why our staff is ready to respond 24-hours a day, seven days a week - whether to your phone call or the need for a visit.

The visit schedule and the make up of the Hospice Care Team are individualized to every patient and family. When the patient's situation is well under control, a check-in visit once a week may be all that's necessary. Other times, daily visits are required to assure that the needs of the patient and/or the family are being met.

You won't be alone in this. We'll be there for you!
 
7. HOSPICE GOES TO YOU
Given the choice, most of us would prefer to die at home.

Hospice is a service that goes to the patient - in the patient's home, a nursing home, assisted living residence, hospital, camper, motel, homeless shelter or the new Hospice Care Center in Grand Junction.

Hospice will help provide everything it takes to stay at home - from helping to have grab bars installed in the bathroom to arranging for a hospital bed, wheelchair, walker, supplies and delivery of medications.

In addition, trained Hospice volunteers provide companionship, light housecleaning, errand running, meal preparation, drives to the doctor - and a break for the family caregiver.

As one of our patients put it, "Without Hospice, I'd have to be in a rest home. It's so good to be in your own home, in your own bed."
 
8. LEARN WHAT TO EXPECT
Suddenly taking care of a seriously ill loved one can be overwhelming. It's a job most of us are not trained to do.

We don't know what to expect. We may not know how to do what the patient needs - from giving a bath to giving a medication.

The Hospice Team provides education and training to caregivers to boost their confidence and to assure that the patient is comfortable.

When death is near, fear of the unknown is the greatest fear of all. Our Team teaches the family the signs and symptoms of approaching death and what to do about them.

Knowing what to expect can ease the burden and reduce the anxiety many caregivers feel. Teaching families how to care - another benefit of Hospice.
 
9. IT'S NEVER TOO SOON
When is it appropriate to call Hospice? Many have no idea. They may know someone what had Hospice for just a few days, or a week, and they think that is about the right time.

Patients can be in hospice for weeks, months - and sometimes years.

The course of many illnesses is impossible to predict. The longer a patient receives Hospice care, the more cost effective it is for both the patient and for Hospice. The Hospice Medicare benefit requires a prognosis of six months, but only if the illness runs its "usual course." Every patient is different and, often, prognosis has more to do with support and pain relief than anything else.

Patients live longer with Hospice care. Caregivers fare better when Hospice is involved earlier. We'd  be happy to check with the doctor for you. Just call us.
 
10. HELP WITH GRIEVING
Losing a loved one is always difficult. And the grief doesn't end when the funeral flowers have faded.

Our professional bereavement counselors and trained volunteers stay in touch with Hospice families and provide compassionate support for at least 13 months.

Adults are encouraged to particpate in Mending Hearts, our grief education and support group. We also offer Forget Me Not groups for families with children and specialized groups - such as Camp Good Grief!, Teddy Bear Picnic, Boomerang and Those Left Behind - for children and teens.

Counselors also are available for one-on-one counseling. This service is free for up to six appointments and on a sliding fee scale for subsequent appointments.

Don't cope with your grief alone. Call Hospice. We'll be there for you!