Hospice of Sacred Heart

Hospice of Sacred Heart is a home-based program that addresses the physical, emotional, spiritual and practical needs of the dying person and his or her family. Hospice affirms life and combines medical care and support services for patients and families. 

Hospice care is provided by a team of professionals and trained volunteers including registered nurses and home health aides, a medical director, a nurse coordinator, a medical social worker, a counselor, a chaplain, a pharmacist and a dietitian. Hospice care is paid for by Medicare, private health insurance and Medicaid.

Our Hospice care:

• Allows a dying patient to be in the familiar surroundings of home
• Recognizes the patient's right to participate in decisions and maintain as much control as possible
• Enables family members to provide care
• Enhances quality of life by providing support services, symptom management and comfort care
• Emphasizes personal choice and valued relationships
• Offers quality compassionate care through a multidisciplinary team of skilled professionals and volunteers

Hospice services include:

• Pain and symptom management
• 24-hour on-call nurse availability
• Nursing visits for physical assessment and to instruct caregivers
• Pastoral care for emotional and spiritual support
• Home health aide to assist with personal care
• Medical social worker to provide counseling and help with financial matters
• Trained hospice volunteers for practical assistance
• Bereavement support

For people receiving care under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, additional services include:

• Medications for pain and symptom management
• Necessary medical equipment and supplies
• Occasional "respite" inpatient care
• Short-term hospitalization for pain and symptom management

Early involvement of the hospice team will help patients stay in the comfort of their home. The sooner hospice care begins, the more support and services can be provided to a terminally ill patient and his or her family.

To be admitted to hospice care, patients need the approval of their primary physician. The patient and family must be in agreement about shifting the focus of care toward comfort care. And a caregiver must be present in the home or be available when the need arises.

Hospice also offers counseling and support to bereaved adults and children.

Learn how to become a Hospice volunteer.