Hospice
Hospice care provides support and care for persons in the last phases of progressive, incurable illness so that they may live as fully and comfortably as possible. Hospice focuses on helping the person maintain quality and comfort during the final stage of life.
A central purpose of hospice is to provide effective management of pain or other symptoms of end-stage illness and supportive services to the ill person and his or her family. The physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the patient and family are addressed as a way to offer hope and support of the individual and family for the last stage of life’s journey. Hospice services include:
- Nursing care
- Home aide for personal care
- Medical social work services
- Physician services
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Speech/language pathology services
- Spiritual counseling
- Food/nutrition services
- Volunteer services
- Medications for symptom and pain management
- Medical equipment
- Medical supplies
- Short-term inpatient care, including respite care
- Bereavement follow-up services and support for loved ones for 12 to 18 months following the death of a patient
Home Hospice
The primary location for hospice care is the patient’s home setting. The home is typically the patient’s most familiar environment in which the greatest sense of security and comfort can be experienced. Hospice care can be given anywhere the patient lives, including nursing homes and assisted-care facilities. The hospice team strives to provide the family with the confidence and skills necessary to make care at home possible. Wellmont Hospice has a team of qualified nurses, social workers, chaplains, counselors and trained volunteers to provide the support needed in the home.
Eligible Persons
Hospice is available to persons with end-stage illness for which there is no cure.
It is for persons who, with their physician, have agreed to change their focus of care from aggressive treatment of disease to comfort and palliative measures. The primary goal of care becomes quality of life.
Hospice is an excellent choice for persons who wish to remain in their own homes with the support of family, friends, and hospice staff. It can also provide tremendous benefits for individuals living in nursing homes or assisted-living facilities.
Your primary physician may continue to care for you in hospice, or you may choose to have our medical director follow you.
Payment for Hospice Services
Most insurances cover hospice services, in many cases with no co-pay. These include:
- Medicare
- Most commercial insurance
- TennCare
- Medicaid
In addition, hospice services can be provided to those unable to pay.
How can I help?
Employment opportunities
Volunteer opportunities
Donations may be made to Wellmont Hospice via the Wellmont Foundation. These will be used to expand hospice services and to assist those unable to pay for hospice support.
As a member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, the Tennessee Hospice Organization and the Virginia Hospice Association, Wellmont Health System is widely recognized for providing caring and compassionate service to patients and families throughout the region.
If you have questions, please call the Wellmont Nurse Connection at 1-877-230-NURSE.