November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. This November, WV Caring wants to raise awareness about hospice care and encourage our fellow West Virginians to be more aware of the innovative and compassionate end-of-life care available throughout the Mountain State. Continue reading to learn more.
Our Hospice Care Services
From our humble beginnings as a non-profit volunteer organization in 1983, WV Caring has grown in service and experience to be considered the benchmark for advanced illness care in West Virginia. Thirty-seven years later, we have six offices and our Hospice Center in our twelve-county service area throughout North Central West Virginia.
At WV Caring, we offer compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals with a life-limiting illness. Our care includes expert medical care, pain and symptom management, emotional and spiritual support and support for the entire family. We treat our patient’s disease symptoms to help the patient be more comfortable and improve their quality of life.
Our goal is for our patients and their families to spend valuable time together for as long as possible. We offer services to wherever our patients call home: private residences, assisted living facilities and nursing homes– 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Hospice, Medicare’s first proven coordinated care model, can include:
- Nurses, physicians and clinical nursing aides
- Social workers help patients and their families deal with emotional and financial difficulties
- Pain and symptom management to make the patient feel as comfortable as possible so that their quality of life is not affected
- Medical equipment, medications and supplies related to the illness
- Trained volunteers to provide emotional support, transportation and respite care
- Spiritual care for the patient and their family members so that they may come to terms with their final days and wishes
- Grief and loss counseling for the patient’s loved ones
These services are covered in the Medicare Part A Benefit, with no out-of-pocket costs for the patient. If you would like to learn more about the Medicare Hospice Benefit, click here.
Our Dedicated Hospice Care Workers
We also want to salute the dedicated medical professionals, caregivers and volunteers who help make every day count for those with life-threatening diseases. These compassionate, tireless heroes play a significant role in our healthcare system and homes around the country. We are grateful for the work they do every day.
WV Caring’s staff is experienced in providing the most specialized types of patient care. You can be assured that your loved one will receive the highest quality of care from our team of experts and local healthcare professionals. Their quality of life will improve, along with the comfort and dignity they deserve. Our highly skilled team of local professionals includes physicians, nurses, clinical nursing assistants, social workers, grief and loss counselors, chaplains and volunteers. If you would like to learn more about our team of dedicated hospice care workers, check out our blog, Who is on the Hospice Care Team for my Loved One?
Our Patients and Families Wish They Would’ve Started Hospice Care Sooner
Even though 1.55 million were enrolled in hospice care for one day or more in 2018, there are still many misconceptions surrounding end-of-life care dialogue. WV Caring continues to dispel perceptions that hospice care is only meant for the final few days of life.
It is significant to grasp that hospice is not about dying; instead, it is about living your remaining days and time with an advanced illness as fully as possible with less pain and on your own terms. Hospice is among the most misunderstood health care services in America, yet its among the highest in-patient satisfaction. Studies show that the earlier care starts, patients can live on average for 29 more days.
Overwhelmingly, people want to die at home and do not want to die in hospitals, yet only 30% died at home, and WV Caring’s Hospice can fulfill that wish.
The number one complaint we receive from patients and families is, I wish we had started hospice sooner. This is because people think hospice is for the final days – not months. Patients and families often say, “We’re not ready yet for hospice,” because they don’t really understand it or how it benefits the patient and their caregivers.
Hospice Care | WV Caring
Whether you are living with a progressive, advanced illness or you are caring for someone who is, WV Caring can make the complexities of this situation easier and better for you and your loved one. It is never too early to look at your options. Remember that finding hospice sooner rather than later is essential for your loved one’s end of life journey. If you have questions about your situation or any of our services, contact us by calling 1-866-656-9790 or contact us online here.
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