Hospice care involves a team approach to expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes. Support is extended to the patient’s loved ones, as well.
At the center of hospice is the belief that each of us has the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and that our families will receive the necessary support to allow us to do so. The focus is on caring, not curing and, in most cases, care is provided in the patient’s home.
Hospice care is also provided in nursing homes; assisted living facilities; and, in some cases, hospitals.
Hospice Services:
Physician/Nursing Care
- Physician-directed care coordinated by a hospice nurse
- Nursing visits for pain and symptom management
- Training on patient care for families and caregivers
- On-call RN available to patient/family 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Home Health Aide
- Assistance with personal care such as bathing and personal hygiene
- Performance of light household tasks
Medical Social Work
- Identify community resources
- Focus on patient/family’s loss issues
- Individual or family counseling
Pastoral Care
- Spiritual support to patient/family
- Coordination of care between the family’s clergy person and hospice
Trained Volunteers
- Relief for caregivers
- Companionship for patients
- Assistance with household chores and errands
Bereavement Care
- Grief groups for children and adults
- Grief education
- Bereavement visits
Who May Make Referrals
Anyone may refer a client to hospice, and services are provided as ordered by the patient’s physician. Services are provided to all persons who meet admission criteria regardless of race, color, age, national origin, religion, sex, or handicap. To make a hospice referral, contact us.
How are Services Paid For?
Most public and private insurance companies cover hospice costs. These include Medicare, Medicaid and Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Benefits and requirements may vary. Hospice care is also provided to persons meeting the admission criteria, regardless of their ability to pay.
Service Area:
Hospice of the Prairie provides services to Kansas residents who live within approximately 60 miles (or approximately 1-hour’s drive) of Dodge City. This may include residents of Clark, Comanche, Edwards, Finney, Ford, Gray, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kiowa, Lane, Meade, Ness, Pawnee, and Seward counties.
Differences Between Hospice and Other Care Alternatives:
Hospice offers additional services not traditionally offered. These include:
- the utilization of volunteers
- bereavement follow-up,
- additional social services such as support groups and family counseling,
- spiritual care,
- more integral involvement with the patient’s personal physician,
- as well as offering broader services such as longer nursing visits, continuous care capability and respite care
For more information on hospice, call 620-227-7209.