"You matter because you are you. You matter to the last moment of your life, and we will do all we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but to live until you die." - Dame Cicely Saunders, Founder of Hospice

Hospice is a special kind of care, striving to enhance the quality of life of those with a terminal illness and their loved ones.

Through the provision of physical care and emotional, social, and spiritual support, Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice seeks to help people live their remaining life with comfort and dignity.

Hospice treats the person, not the disease. Each patient and family receives coordinated care from the Hospice Interdisciplinary Team.

Your Hospice Team

• Medical Director
• Nurses
• Homemaker/Health Aides
• Social Worker
• Spiritual Adviser
• Pharmacist
• Volunteers
• Massage Therapy
• Bereavement Services

Hospice offers palliative, or comfort care, rather than curative treatment. Under the direction of a physician, hospice uses sophisticated methods of pain and symptom control to help the patient to live as fully and comfortably as possible.

Hospice care is provided primarily in a person's home. Patients routinely receive periodic in-home services from a nurse, home health aide, social worker, volunteer, or other members of the Hospice Interdisciplinary Team. Hospice care is not limited to a person's own home, however. Nursing home residents may receive hospice care as well.

Hospice emphasizes quality of life, rather than length of life. Hospice neither hastens nor postpones death. It affirms life and regards dying as a normal process.

Volunteers are an important part of hospice care. They can assist families during the patient's illness and perform support functions for staff.

Hospice considers the needs of the family, not just the patient. Patients and families are both included in the decision-making process, and both receive the support of the hospice team.

Hospice care does not end with the death of the patient. Hospice provides bereavement support, which may include supportive mailings and visits, volunteer follow-up and a grief support group.

Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For hospice patients and their families, help is just a phone call away.

Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice services Winneshiek, Allamakee, and portions of Howard, Chickasaw, Fayette and Clayton counties. If you aren't sure if you are in our area, please call.

Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice is a Medicare certified agency. Therefore, Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance may be billed for these services. No one will be denied hospice care due to an inability to pay. Winneshiek Medical Center Charity Care may be available.

Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice is a non-profit organization and a department of Winneshiek Medical Center.

Anyone can refer a person diagnosed with a terminal illness to Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice. Hospice will consult the person's primary physician for his/her approval.

Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays with on-call hours

Location: The Bonnie Westby Huenber Memorial Home Health & Hospice Office Suite is located via the east entrance of Winneshiek Medical Center, directly accessible from the Montgomery Street driveway.

Telephone: 563-387-3019