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and their families during their time in hospice.
Can I afford Hospice?
care, personal needs and also work with the caregiver to impart the skills they need to make the task at hand easier. A Spiritual and Bereavement Coordinator provides spiritual support and/or counseling to patients and their families. This support continues for the family for up to 13 months following the death of their loved one. Hospice trained volunteers visit the family, help with day-to-day tasks, provide caregiver relief and often become part of the family— offering emotional support as well. Many volunteers have walked the walk in their own life and feel compelled to offer life- giving support.
Other therapies such as physical, occupational, speech, respiratory and alternative therapies are also utilized as needed. Hospice of Virginia also works with a specialized hospice pharmacy consulting group who review each patient’s medications to ensure optimum management of the patient’s distinctive medical needs. An on-call hospice nurse is always available, which gives great peace of mind when it is needed most.
Who qualifies for care with Hospice of Virginia?
Patients who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have a life expectancy of six months or less qualify for hospice care. This can include but is not limited to Cancer, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), Alzheimer’s Disease or other Dementias, Congestive Heart Failure, AIDS, End Stage Kidney Disease, Lung Disease, Multi-System Breakdown and Stroke.
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“When a patient has a terminal diagnosis and no longer wishes to pursue aggressive treatment, frequent visits to the Emergency Department or hospitalizations, Hospice is another option of care,” says LuAnne Davis, Provider Relations Coordinator. Anyone may make a referral or request information for a friend or loved one. However the patient’s attending physician must certify the patient meets the hospice guidelines in order to be admitted for care. The patient and family also must understand the nature of the illness and that the illness is terminal. Hospice of Virginia’s service area includes: Richmond Metro Area, Farmville, Tappahannock, Middle Peninsula, Northern Neck, Hampton Roads and the Greater Fredericksburg area—providing care in 65 counties and cities.
Benefits of Hospice Care
Peace of mind and knowing you are not alone is a huge benefit of hospice care. It is having someone to call if you have questions, if you need spiritual support and knowing that your loved one is being treated lovingly and compassionately in the final days of life. Hospice of Virginia also offers spiritual support with no agenda. The spiritual counselor is always willing to talk and listen as well. They are available 365 days a year, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. MaryDell Sigler, Spiritual Care
and Bereavement Coordinator in the Tappahannock Branch has been asked to perform funerals after caring for patients
Anyone can afford hospice services provided by Hospice of Virginia. You do not have to have Medicare, Medicaid or Health Insurance to receive hospice care. You will never be discriminated against if you lack the means to pay for services. Hospice of Virginia will take patients with no ability to pay if there is a need. If you do have Health Insurance, Hospice of Virginia accepts whatever your health insurance allows. There are no co-pays or other out- of-pocket expenses. If you have Medicare (Part A) or Medicaid you are covered and again there are no additional charges.
How can I get touch with Hospice of Virginia?
For more information about Hospice of Virginia, visit them online at www.
hospiceva.com. You can reach them in their main office in Richmond by calling 804-281-0451. To reach them in the Tappahannock Office, please feel free to call them at 804-443-4090.
How can I help?
Hospice of Virginia provides ongoing training for new volunteers. If you would like to volunteer with Hospice of Virginia, call 804-443-4090. The volunteer coordinator will answer your questions and explain different volunteer opportunities available.
Closing words
From my own experience I can attest to the life-line that hospice care gives to patients, their primary caregivers and to their families. If you currently have a need in this area or would like more information about how Hospice of Virginia can help, please give them a call today. Finally, I’d like to thank LuAnne
Davis, Mary Lynn Tackett, Michelle Wills and MaryDell Sigler for sharing their time, stories and most importantly their heart. For those of you wishing to volunteer your time, talents and your heart please call today. “Time and tide stayeth still for no man.” H
March/April 2011
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