At Mercy Hospice, our goal is to make each day the best day it can be for persons with incurable conditions. We add life to days by focusing on comfort care and humankindness. This allows your loved one to be free from pain and spend time doing those things that give him or her the most joy. Our team of professionals comes to the home to assist you with medical, emotional, and spiritual support.
No charge
Do not let concern about finances keep you from these vital services! Payment for hospice care is covered 100% by Medicare and Medicaid. Frequently it is fully covered by private insurance as well. No one will be denied care because of an inability to pay.
Care for the patient and family
In hospice, we provide assistance to the patient AND to the family members. Families who come to Mercy Hospice for help receive support services customized to their unique needs.
Sooner is better than later
Most hospice families say they wish they had started on hospice sooner. The care of their loved one and the amount of support they received made a tough time a lot easier. If you would like to learn more about this free service, give us a call at 916-281-3900.
Home visits
Home is where your loved one lives
No matter where your loved one lives, members of our staff can come to the bedside. At an assisted living or nursing home facility. At your relative’s house or apartment.
Nurse visits
A nurse will visit periodically to check on your loved one’s condition. The nurse can answer questions. He or she can recommend changes in medication. As your case manager, the nurse can also order equipment or supplies.
Other professionals
There are other members of our team who may come to the home:
- nurse aides
- a social worker
- a nondenominational chaplain
- a physical or occupational therapist
These professionals offer important advice and support to patients. They also are available to help family and friends who are providing day-to-day care.
Volunteers!
We even have specially trained volunteers. They can stay and visit with the patient for a few hours each week so family caregivers can take a much-needed break.
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Management of difficult symptoms
Our staff at Mercy Hospice are trained to relieve pain and discomfort. The definition of “pain” is very broad in hospice. It includes physical, emotional, and spiritual distress. As a result, our team is holistic in its approach.
Medical options
Sometimes the best remedy is medication. If so, we will ask the doctor for a prescription. Some treatments for symptom relief involve surgery or radiation. This too is covered.
Nonmedical approaches
Sometimes the problem can best be fixed by changing sleeping position or modifying diet. Other times the healing happens by talking through an emotional issue. Or gaining clarity about a difficult family concern.
Equipment and supplies
If special equipment is required, it can be ordered. Oxygen for shortness of breath. A hospital bed for safety and comfort. All prescriptions, equipment, and supplies needed for pain and symptom relief are provided at no charge.
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Help with bathing and grooming
Everyone feels better after a bath. Shampooed hair that is nicely styled and a good shave or a little makeup can do wonders for self-esteem!
Hazards of giving a bath
Seriously ill individuals are often unable to bathe or groom themselves. Family members may try to help, but assisting another person in and out of the tub can be physically demanding. The floors are slippery. Surfaces are hard. And bathrooms are typically cramped with very little room for moving around.
More injuries occur in the bathroom than in any other room of the house. And the injury can be with the caregiver as much as with the patient! Family members are not trained in methods for safely moving a frail or weak person. Even giving a sponge bath to a person in bed can be hard on a caregiver’s back.
Our skilled professionals
Our nurse aides, however, have learned safety techniques to protect their patients and themselves from injury. An aide can come to the home two or three times a week to help with bathing and grooming. This relieves your family of worry and risk.
Let us free up your time and energy
At Mercy Hospice, we know there are many things that only family members can provide. Let our staff help with tasks such as bathing and grooming. This gives you time and energy to more easily provide the special love and affection only relatives can give.
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24/7 access to advice and assistance
Patients of Mercy Hospice and their families are free to call the office 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have professionals available to answer your questions. No waiting until the morning, with your loved one in pain. You call and we respond. If it’s something we can help with over the phone, great! If not, our staff will come to check on your loved one. They will offer recommendations and make sure you are comfortable with the treatments being suggested.
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Emotional and spiritual support
Serious illness brings up many difficult questions and feelings. As we face the possibility of dying, we all have fears, worries, and concerns. At Mercy Hospice, our staff has received special training to help people address these issues. We even have social workers and chaplains on staff. They can meet with you, your loved one, or even with the entire family. Their goal is to help everyone come to a better understanding of how to meet each other’s needs with grace and love.
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Patient and family caregiver education
With all the rush and commotion in the doctor’s office, it’s not always easy to remember everything you’ve been told—or even what you wanted to ask! Our nurses are available to answer your questions. In the comfort of your home, our staff can explain the disease and the medical issues that surround it. They understand the day-to-day impact of living with your loved one’s condition: the symptoms, the side effects of treatment, the likely progression of the illness. We’re there to help in any way we can. Even in the context of an incurable condition, just knowing what to expect helps many patients and families relax and feel less anxious about the process.
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Coordination of multiple services
Pharmacies, doctors, physical therapists, equipment suppliers … it can be mind boggling! Hospice care involves coordinating these many services. You do not need to worry about paperwork, arranging physician orders, etc. You are freed to concentrate your attention on your loved one’s daily needs.
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Help for family caregivers
At Mercy Hospice, family members are part of the caregiving team. You are also the recipient of our care. We know that your loved one would not be as comfortable if it were not for you. You make a valuable contribution. You also are undergoing a very stressful and difficult time.
Supporting the family
Our goal is to support you emotionally and physically so your health remains strong. We suggest treatments for your loved one based on what he or she needs. We also consider the needs and capabilities of family members. Our social workers and chaplains are available to help you. They understand the powerful issues that arise when a loved one is seriously ill. We have volunteers who can come to the home for a few hours. They visit with the patient so you can get out and have some time to yourself.
Respite and grief support
And for those patients on Medicare, we can often arrange for your loved one to stay a few days in a nursing home. This gives you or an elderly spouse time to rest. Build up reserves. And finally, at such time that your loved one passes, we are also available to help with grief support groups and a volunteer to talk to.
If you think your family might benefit from the support of our hospice team, please give us a call at 916-281-3900. We would be honored to serve you.
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