One of the most difficult situations a family may face is coping with the terminal illness of a loved one. The Hospice staff of Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, Inc. recognizes that the patient and their family each face special physical, emotional, spiritual, and social needs during this time. Under the direction of the physician, the team of health care professionals and volunteer companions can help make this phase of life as symptom-free and meaningful as possible. Hospice places an emphasis on the quality of life.

The Hospice team provides:

• Intermittent visits by registered nurses, home health aides, and medical social workers
• Trained volunteer companions
• Pain control and symptom management
• Nurse availability 24-hours a day
• Instruction to the family/caregiver
• Pastoral counseling
• Emotional support
• Coordination of auxiliary services
• Legal and financial information
• Assistance obtaining medical supplies and equipment
• Dietary and pharmaceutical consultation
• Physical, speech, and occupational therapy
• Bereavement follow-up program

To qualify for hospice care, the patient must be under the care of a physician and have a medically confirmed life expectancy of six months or less. If the patient desires to remain at home throughout the illness, the family members or other caregivers need to be readily available.

The Hospice program helps ease the physical and emotional pain that the patient and their family experiences in keeping the family together during these difficult days.