The Regional Hospice Team provide care for patients with serious, chronic or life-limiting illnesses. We focus on the whole person, meeting the medical, emotional and spiritual needs that accompany patients and families who are coping with serious illness.

Hospice is most often provided in the patient's own home, skilled nursing, or assisted living facilities. In other cases, hospice care can be provided in the hospital or nursing home. In-patient care to provide family respite is also available. Whatever the location or situation, the high level of care remains the same.

We believe that through skilled and supportive care, people can approach a life-limiting illness with comfort and dignity.

Regional Hospice services are covered by Medicare and most private insurance plans and include:

• A care plan developed by the Regional Hospice team that meets each patient's individual needs for pain management and symptom control.

• Regional Hospice registered nurses that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for advice/counsel.

• Emotional, psychological and spiritual support for those coping with a life-limiting loss.

• Needed medications, medical supplies and equipment.

• Support for the family on how to care for the patient.

• Special services like speech and physical therapy when needed.

• Routine home care provided intermittently in the patient's or family's home, or in a nursing/assisted living facility under contract with Regional Hospice.

• Short-term inpatient care at a local hospital or contracted nursing facility available when pain or symptoms are too difficult to be managed at home.

• Bereavement care and counseling.

Any person with a life-limiting illness, regardless of age, residing in our service area is eligible for our programs. Many different diagnoses may be considered, including heart evaluation, Alzheimer's, respiratory status, nervous system and cancer.

Anyone can make a referral - a patient, family member, physician or friend. Care must be authorized by a physician. Early referrals are important - the more time Regional Hospice has to work with the family, the more we can do to help.