Community Hospice of Dale Medical Center.

Community Hospice of the Wiregrass

Mission Statement:

Community Hospice of Dale Medical Center is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing the most compassionate, comprehensive hospice care possible to our patients.

Through a "team approach," healthcare professionals and trained volunteers will provide ongoing physical, emotional, and spiritual care to those entrusted to us. Our mission is family inclusive. A wealth of assistance is available to families as they comfort and care for their loved on this sacred journey.

Community Hospice of Dale Medical Center believes that compassionate end-of-life care, appropriate education and practical support will enable the patient and family to better prepare for death, respond to bereavement and welcome restoration.

What is Hospice?

Hospice is a specialized form of home health service that provides care for individuals who have a life limiting illness, and are no longer seeking a cure. Community Hospice of Dale Medical Center is committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate services to its patient's and loved ones. Hospice care creates the hope and belief that patients and families can obtain physical, emotional, and spiritual preparation for the final stages of life. Community Hospice of Dale Medical Center will provide our patient's with a wide range of support options to meet a variety of needs.

What is the Focus of Hospice Care?

Palliative, comfort care
Spiritual care
Emotional Support
Pain control
Education
Bereavement Services
Patient dignity and quality of life

What is Admission Criteria?

Hospice is available to individuals who:

Have a life threatening illness in which a physician has agreed that hospice is appropriate.

Have decided to seek quality of life and comfort, rather than a cure.

Agree to the plan of care developed by hospice, the attending physician, and the patient.

Community Hospice of Dale Medical Center provides care to individuals with a terminal illness without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, ethnicity, disability or payment source.

Who pays for Hospice?

Medicare
Medicaid
Tricare
Private Insurance
Community Contributions

Patients are accepted to Hospice based on health needs, rather than ability to pay.

What illnesses are appropriate for hospice care?

Cancer of all categories
AIDS
Renal Diseases
Lung Diseases
Liver Diseases
Heart Diseases
Failure to Thrive
Neuromuscular Degenerative Diseases

The Community Hospice Interdisciplinary Team:

Physicians
Nurses
Social Workers
Chaplain
Volunteers
Home Health Aides
Bereavement Counselors

The Comprehensive care provided by our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our Interdisciplinary Team serves as an extension of the attending physician, never a substitute. The Plan of Care for each patient is based on their needs and desires.

Volunteers:

Volunteers are an indispensable part of the Hospice team. They are caring neighbors who are trained in their areas of interest. Their services include, but are not limited to, the following:

Assisting with fundraisers
Administrative support
Bereavement support
Patient or family errands
Arts/Crafts for special occasions
Companionship/mentor to patient/family
Relieving caregiver for short periods

Q. How does a person obtain Hospice services?
A. A person who wishes to obtain hospice for themselves or a family member should contact their physician or contact Community Hospice of Dale Medical Center directly at 334-774-1380 or toll free at 1-800-689-4156.

Q. Can a patient in the hospital or Nursing Home receive Hospice care?
A. Yes, the same services provided to our at-home patients are provided to those patients in the hospital or Nursing Home.

Q. Must I stay home all the time as a Hospice patient?
A. No, we encourage you to remain as active as possible.

Q. How do I cope at home as a long-term caregiver?
A. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week from the Hospice team to provide quality care and support for the patient as well as for you, the caregiver.

Hospice Volunteer Program

COMMUNITY HOSPICE OF THE WIREGRASS
Community Hospice needs caring people to volunteer their time in the following areas: home visits, fund raising, clerical duties, crafts. At Community Hospice we make gifts monthly for our patients and caregivers this gives them such joy every month. It's easier than you think to touch someones heart. If you are 18 years of age or older and have a desire to help others, please call 1-334-774-1380

Home care: visiting with the patient in their home at least monthly to provide companionship, listenting, comfort care and emotional support. Volunteers provide emotional support to the caregiver as well.

Fund Raising: We have fundraisers to help with medication, and medical equipment for those that do not have insurance. We have bake sales, Womanless beauty pageants, Easter breakfast

Clerical: Office help is needed from time to time. Volunteers make calls, file, make copies, stuff envelopes and any other project we may need help with.

Complete training to become a cerfitied Hospice volunteer is provided free of charge. For more information please contact Theresa at 1-334-774-1380

Other Services offered by Community Hospice of Dale Medical Center

Physical and Occupational Therapies for palliative needs.
Dietary Counseling
In-Home Continuous Care available on a limited basis during crisis situations.
Inpatient Respite Care to provide relief to the caregiver by placing the patient in the hospital.
General Inpatient Care in a hospital for management of uncontrollable symptoms.
Nursing Home - Hospice Care is available to patients in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
Arrangements - for Medical Equipment and Supplies
Medications - Pharmaceutical assistance is coordinated through physician, pharmacy and/or insurance provider.