Home Health and Hospice

Hospice

Hospice is a Medicare certified program. It provides care and support to the terminally ill and their families in their homes, assisted living, or skilled nursing facilities.

Mission

Henderson County Health Department provides an individualized program of physical, emotional, spiritual, and practical care for people in the last phases of a life-limiting illness, with an emphasis on control of pain and other symptoms. The program is reflective of a spirit and idea of caring that emphasizes comfort and dignity for the dying, making it possible for them to remain independent for as long as possible, and in familiar surroundings. Hospice care is centered on both the patient and family/caregiver. Hospice personnel respect and respond to the unique differences in family/caregiver, lifestyles, values, and wishes.

Utilizing an interdisciplinary group approach of physicians, nurses, social workers, homemakers, hospice aides, volunteers, spiritual counselors, bereavement counselors, and others; Henderson County Health Department provides palliative care in the home, short-term inpatient services, mobilization and coordination of ancillary services, and bereavement support. Services will be equitably distributed to a medically and financially diversified group of patients in a cost effective manner, which ensures adherence to the goals of Henderson County Health Department and the maintenance of the financial solvency of the organization.

Philosophy

Hospice affirms life.

Hospice exists to provide support and care for persons in the last phases of a life-limiting illness so that they may live as fully and comfortably as possible.

Hospice exists in the belief that through appropriate care and the promotion of a caring community, patients and families/caregivers will be free to attain a degree of mental preparation for death that is satisfying to them.

Values

Henderson County Health Department recognizes these values and their roles in fulfilling this mission.

Cost

Hospice services are billed to Medicare, Medicaid, V.A., and private insurance. Memorials and donations are used to pay for services and medical equipment and supplies not covered otherwise.

Hospice pays for any needed medications for pain and symptom control, medical equipment and supplies, nursing, social worker, home health aide, homemaker, therapy, dietitian, counseling services, and short-term inpatient care for symptom control or respite related to the Hospice diagnosis.

Guidelines for Admission

Live in the service area

Consent of the attending physician

Life expectancy of 6 months or less

Accept palliative care (comfort) rather than curative care

Accept the philosophy of allowing death to occur naturally without extraordinarey interventions.

Arrangements for a capable and willing caregive to serve in the home.

Hospice Team and Services

Nurses provide skilled care in the home as approved by the patient's primary doctor and the Hospice team.

Social Worker helps the patients and family cope with the emotional and financial stresses of illness.

Chaplain provides pastoral care as requested and assists with coordination of spiritual counseling.

Medical Director provides pain and symptom management as needed.

Home Care Aides assist with personal care and homemaking.

Volunteers assist with personal needs, reading, errands, and provide companionship and support.

Bereavement Support is provided by the Hospice Team and volunteers to help family and significant others cope with grieving.

Caregiver Support

Providing support for loved ones during their end of life journey is a hard and meaningful job. You will experience many feelings during this journey. Many times you need support to help with the best possible care for your loved one during this process. Henderson County Health Department understands this and provides a range of services that are for the caregiver.

Their services include:

Support Services Coordinator visits

Social Worker visits

Clergy visits (if desired)

Respite Care

Volunteers

Educational materials

HOME HEALTH

For over 20 years Henderson County Health Department has worked with patients and families in providing intermittent skilled care in the client's own home under the direction of their private physician. Our nurses will also make arrangements for our patients to obtain necessary medical supplies, teach patients and families how to manage illness, and serve liaisons to provide a vital communication link. Henderson County Health Department is a Medicare Certified Home Health Agency.

Who Qualifies

People of any age with an illness, injury or disability that requires skilled nursing care under the direct supervision of their private physician.

Who Can Make A Referral

Any interested person including immediate family or other relative; a neighbor; doctor; friend; clergy; hospital staff; social worker; nursing home staff; or other agency. To make a referral or to arrange for services, please call:

The Henderson County Health Department at: 309-627-2812

Services Provided By:

Professional Nurses - dressing changes, catheter care, ostomy care, diabetic care, IV therapy

Physical Therapists - home exercise program, balance retraining, gait training

Occupational Therapists - home exercise program, upper extremity strengthening

Speech Therapists - home exercise program, teach swallowing technique to prevent choking

Certified Nurse Aids - assist with safety for personal care

Home Care Aids - general housekeeping

Office hours are from 8am to 4pm - Monday through Thursday; and 8am to Noon - Friday, however there is a nurse on call 24/7.

Our service area covers all of Henderson County, the southern half of Mercer County, and the western half of Warren County.

Who pays for Home Health Services?

Medicare

Health Insurance

Veterans Administration

Private Pay (based on income)\

Department of Aging

For additional information call:

Office Manager - Jennifer Hoogerwerf @ 309-627-2812 ext 225 or Supervising Nurse - Judy Avery @ 309-627-2812 ext 248