Home Care and Hospice

Hospice– A special kind of caring

Services Provided | Where Is Care Provided? | When is Hospice Appropriate? | Early Referrals | Referral Information | What's Next? | Facts & Information

When a person has a life threatening disease, loved ones are not simply faced with the prospect of loss; they must also address the frightening question of how to care for their loved one in his or her final days. This is one of the most difficult and emotional situations a family ever experiences. Despite enormous medical advances, too many individuals still die alone or in pain.

What services can I expect from Hospice?

• Nursing care
• Physician services
• Home health aide / homemaker
• Social worker service
• Bereavement counseling
• Spiritual care
• Coverage of medication, equipment, and supplies related to the terminal illness
• Nutrition counseling
• Volunteer support
• Respite care
• On call nurse available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Music Therapy
• Other services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy if indicated for terminal illness

Where is Hospice care provided?

The provision of hospice care is generally in the home. However, patients and families may choose residential facilities, nursing home facilities and other settings. In some circumstances the patient may be admitted short-term to the hospital for pain and symptom control.

When is Hospice appropriate?

• Physicians certify that the patient has a prognosis of six months or less should the disease take its usual course
• The Patient and family chooses to receive hospice care rather than curative treatments for their illness
• Patient enrolls in an approved hospice program

Early Referrals

An early referral to the Hospice program provides the patient and family quality time to discuss advanced care planning by being engaged in decision about their treatment or care near the end of life.

How do I make a Referral?

Referrals can be made by:

• Self
• Family member
• Physician
• Nurse
• Social Worker
• Nursing Facility
• Clergy

The patient’s physician, if unaware of the referral, should be contacted immediately to give approval for the referral to hospice and certify process.

Helpful Referral Information

• Name, relationship and phone number of person making referral
• Patient name, address, phone number
• Living situation of patient
• Diagnosis and brief history
• Is patient aware of the referral, diagnosis, and prognosis?

What next?

The Hospice nurse will make a visit to explain the hospice benefits and to assess the patient. The results of the initial assessment, review of the patient’s medical summaries, including the physician’s findings will provide the basis for the initial plan of care.

Facts

JCAHO accredited Licensed in Iowa and Illinois Serve Clinton and Jackson counties in Iowa Serve Whiteside and Carroll counties in Illinois Provide service to hospice clients who reside in the nursing homes in the counties that we serve.

Mercy Hospice 2004 Remembrance Quilt - Designed and created by Sue Tappe

Information

Hospice (563) 244-3666
Sharon Meister MS, RNC 563 244-3766
Wendi Lippens, Hospice Supervisor 563-244-3675

Mercy’s Reflective Herb Garden

Mercy Hospice and the Bickelhaupt Arboretum have combined efforts to create an herb garden that is handicap accessible. Mercy Hospice staff members and Mercy volunteers assisted with the planting. Each herb is labeled with an appropriate sign. A few of the herbs displayed include; rue, sage, dill, vitex, lemon grass, onion chives, assorted mints, and many more. A small fountain, made from an antique grinding wheel used decades ago to sharpen garden tools, found within the herbs adds character to the garden. It is a very peaceful, beautiful, and permanent area.

“It is a place where people can sit down and reminisce,” said Evelyn Palm, Mercy Medical Center’s Bereavement Coordinator. The arboretum is free of admission and everyone is welcome. The arboretum is located at 340 South 14th Street, Clinton, IA.

Hospice
Mercy Medical Center-Clinton
638 South Bluff Blvd.
Clinton, IA
-and-
1125 5th St.
Savanna, IL

Home Care | Home Medical Equipment | Hospice