Hospice is a special kind of care that focuses on improving a person’s quality of life after being diagnosed with a terminal illness. 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.
WMC Hospice Mission is to provide end-of-life care that ensures quality of days, compassion and comfort for our patients and their loved ones. The hopes, wishes, dignity and comfort of the families we serve define our care.
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 live as fully and comfortably as possible.
Hospice care can be provided wherever the person resides, whether it be their own home, a long-term care facility or the hospital. Patients receive routine visits from qualified members of the hospice team.
Hospice emphasizes quality of life and neither hastens nor postpones death. It affirms life and regards dying as a normal process.
WMC Hospice consists of a medical director, nurses, homemaker/hospice aides, social worker, spiritual adviser, pharmacist, volunteers, massage therapy, and bereavement services.
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.
Hospice is recommended for anyone who is suffering from a life-limiting illness or injury where the physician has determined that life expectancy may be within 6 months if the disease or illness follows its normal course. The physician prognosis is just an estimate of time and is dependent upon the patient’s clinical status. Hospice care can be provided for longer than 6 months if the patient’s condition warrants.
Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice provides care to patients regardless of ability to pay. Hospice is covered under Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance. If not covered by an insurance provider hospice will work with the patient and family to ensure services can be provided. Medicare and Medicaid do not require copay or deductibles for hospice. Private Insurance does require deductible and out of pocket max to be met. Please call hospice if there is a concern for hospice medical coverage.
Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice serves Winneshiek, Allamakee and portions of Howard, Chickasaw, Fayette and Clayton counties. If you aren’t sure if you are in our area, please call 563-387-3024.
Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice was awarded the Mayo Clinic Excellence in Patient Experience Award. This honor is awarded annually to those who are committed to delivering an unparalleled experience to patients and families. It is presented to the top performers who consistently deliver exceptional and extraordinary human experiences as measured by patient surveys. WMC Hospice also scores extremely well on the Medicare.gov Hospice Compare website for quality and patient experience.
While many hospice referrals are made through the physician, it is possible for anyone to make a referral to hospice including a family member or friend. Once a referral is received, WMC hospice will contact and coordinate with the patient’s primary physician for hospice services. A complimentary (no-charge) visit can be requested by the patient, caregiver or family from a member of the hospice team to explain hospice services and eligibility. In order for hospice to provide the maximum benefit to a patient, our preference is to be involved with care earlier so that we can provide preventative symptom management and disease management for the patient and family throughout the life-limiting condition.
“My career in nursing has been diverse and rewarding. Hospice nursing is unique because we get to help people going through the most important journey of life. We work as a team for the same goal that focuses on quality, comfort and peace. We spend precious time getting to know our patients and families in the most personal way and I am honored to be a part of this wonderful program.” - Jill, RN
To learn more about Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice call
563.387.3024
