Home Hospice
Hospice care is designed to assist and comfort terminally ill patients and their families. Hospice care is delivered by a coordinated, interdisciplinary team and is primarily home-based. Holistic care is provided to meet the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of patients and their families. Hospice neither postpones nor hastens death-it affirms life so that it is lived fully until the end.
Who is Eligible for Iowa Health Home Care Hospice Care?
Hospice is a special way of caring for patients of any age in the advanced stages of a non-curable illness. Family, friends, clergy or healthcare professionals can make referrals to our hospice program; however, the referral must be confirmed by the patient’s primary care physician. Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans cover hospice care.
The understanding and acceptance of the hospice goals and philosophies by the patient, family and primary care physician are required.
The Hospice Team
Our care team is made up of professionals, including physicians, nurses, social workers, home health aides, chaplains, bereavement counselors and volunteers. We provide individualized care that respects patient and family lifestyles, values and preferences. Our care is planned to provide comfort, maintain dignity and promote quality of life. The Iowa Health Home Care hospice team works together and makes communication a priority. Every team member is committed to delivering quality care that enables patients and their families to live each day to the fullest. These are the professionals who make up the hospice team:
Physicians
The attending physician works with the hospice medical director and the patient. The treatment focuses on comfort and symptom management rather than a cure.
Nurses
Hospice nurses are skilled professionals who provide compassionate care. In addition, they teach families how to care for themselves and their loved ones. Hospice nurses have special training in pain control and symptom management. They are on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Social Workers
Hospice social workers help the patient and their family cope with the stresses that accompany terminal illness. They also provide access to community resources that could be of benefit to the patient and family.
Home Care Aides
Home care aides assist patients with personal hygiene care such as showering, bathing and linen changes. They also perform some light housekeeping duties.
Chaplains
Hospice chaplains are available for those patients and families requesting spiritual support. The chaplains work with patients of all faiths including those with no established religious affiliation. In addition, the chaplains can serve as resource and liaison to patient’s choice of community clergy.
Bereavement Counselors
Bereavement support is offered to the family after the death of their loved one. These services are offered to the family for thirteen months. Bereavement services are a distinguishing characteristic of hospice care, setting it apart from other providers.
Volunteers
Hospice volunteers are trained in listening and supportive skills. They are available to help with errands or to stay with the patient in order to provide the primary care person with needed personal time and respite. Volunteers support the patient and family with companionship and compassion during the patient’s illness and provide follow-up bereavement support. To become a volunteer, please contact our Iowa Health Hospice volunteer coordinators at (515) 557-3169.
For more information, please call (515) 557-3100 or 1-888-584-6311 or request information using our online form.