What is Hospice?
Unity Family Hospice is a Medicare-certified program
sponsored by St. Gabriel’s Hospital. It is composed of professionals and
volunteers concerned with helping individuals and their families face a
terminal illness.
The program offers physical, emotional and spiritual comfort
to both clients and families. Hospice provides care to those people who
are dealing with the natural feelings, reactions, and problems accompanying
death.
Services provided:
An interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social
worker, clergy, and trained volunteers aid in the care and support of the
client and family. Consultants like nutritionists, pharmacists, therapists
and others, also help when needed.
The team assists the client and family to receive the
level of care appropriate to their needs.
Each level of care is carried out under the direction
of a physician and includes the following:
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Regular home care visits by qualified hospice staff and volunteers.
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Continuous nursing care at home for short periods of crisis.
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Short-term inpatient care to provide respite for caregiver.
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Short-term inpatient care for acute or chronic symptoms
management.
Cost:
Hospice care may be paid for by Medicare, Medical Assistance,
and some insurances. If third party reimbursement is not available, hospice
staff will assist clients and families in accessing appropriate financial
resources.
How does Hospice Work?
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Referral may be from anyone. Acceptance is based on meeting
the program guidelines and with the consent of the client’s physician.
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The client/family participate in the decision to receive
care that focuses on comfort and quality of life rather than cure.
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The hospice team members visit with the client and family
in the hospital and in the client’s home.
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A registered nurse is available to help the client and family
as needed, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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If the client and family choose to have the client remain
at home to die, the hospice team is available to support the primary caregiver
and the family.
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Volunteers serve as team members in extending and supplementing
care of hospice clients and their families.
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Support for the family during bereavement is provided.
Core Hospice Team Members:
Lisa Germscheid, MD, Medical Director
Board-certified in hospice and
palliative care
Maureen Nelson, RN, Clinical Coordinator
320-632-1291
Krista Stavish, MSW, LGSW,
Social Worker/Volunteer Coordinator,
320-632-1197
Bea Britz, Chaplain, 320-632-1241
Lisa Hanowski, RN, Director Unity Family Home
Care & Hospice, 320-632-1143
lisahanowski@catholichealth.net
For more information contact:
Unity Family Home Care & Hospice
320-632-1144
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“You matter because you are you.
You matter to the last moment of your life
and we will do all we can,
not only to help you die peacefully,
but also to live until you die.”
Cicely Saunder, MD
Director of St. Christopher’s Hospice
|
Unity Family Home Care
Much More Than a House Call
A service of St. Gabriel’s Hospital
and Albany Area Hospital
Home health care services provide many benefits to the
client. They enable acute care services to be delivered to people in need
in their own homes at a fraction of the cost of hospitalization. In addition,
Unity Family Home Care offers several distinct advantages.
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Convenient access to the wide range of services available
through the Unity Family Healthcare system, which includes St. Gabriel’s
Hospital, St. Otto’s Care Center, St. Camillus Place, Alverna Apartments,
and Albany Area Hospital & Medical Center.
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A professional staff highly skilled in treatments such as
IV therapy, wound care, tube feedings and blood draws.
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Quality services closely monitored by St. Gabriel’s Hospital
and its physicians.
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A comprehensive understanding of the community resources
available in the county and close working relationships with the various
service providers.
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Services provided within 24 hours of discharge, if needed.
Nursing Services
Skilled nursing care is provided by registered nurses
who follow a plan of care established by the client’s personal physician.
These services include: evaluation of clients and their environments; providing
specialized nursing care; initiating preventive and rehabilitative nursing
procedures; written and verbal communications; coordinating home care services;
educating clients, family members, and other home care staff; supervision
of staff; and providing community resource information.
Postpartum visits and lactation consultation are also
available.
Home Health Aide/Homemaker/PCA (personal care attendant)
services are provided to clients when they have a physical, mental or emotional
condition which prevents them from performing activities of daily living
and necessary household functions. The assignment of home health aide/homemaker/PCA
is made after consultation among the nurse, client, family members and
physician. Duties of the aide include personal care; exercise and ambulation;
household services; meal preparation; procedures relating to therapy activities;
assistance with self-administered medication; and communications.
Therapy and Social Services
Physical Therapy works with clients to improve strength
and range of motion with the goal of achieving greater independence with
functional mobility skills such as walking, climbing stairs, transfers
and bed mobility.
Occupational Therapy helps clients experiencing
difficulty with fine motor functions, visual deficits,
and cognition and coordination, in order to help them become as independent
as possible.
Speech Therapy assists clients who have a communication
or swallowing problem that may occur as the result of a stroke or accidental
trauma.
A Family Services Coordinator is available to assist clients
with financial concerns, alternative living arrangements, or other social
issues. The coordinator is adept at making appropriate community referrals.
Assisted Living facilities are also served by our home
care department. Assisted living facilities may receive nursing services
to assist with patient medical management and specially trained staff provide
nursing management within home care guidelines.
Insurance-Cost:
Home care services are covered by Medicare, Medical Assistance,
VA, private insurance, and
waivered services. Our home care staff will assist
you in determining coverage. The home care billing office
will bill your insurance directly for
services provided. Services will not be denied
solely on ability to pay. We will pursue all appropriate
resources.
Service Area
Unity Family Home Care serves residents of all of
Morrison County, and portions of Stearns, Todd, and Crow
Wing counties.
Hours:
Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday. Nursing staff are available seven days a week, including holidays
and weekends. Patients are assessed and accepted on an individual basis.
Mission Statement:
The mission of Unity Family Home Care is to nurture the
healing ministry of the church by bringing it new life, energy, and viability
in the
21st century. Fidelity to the Gospel urges us to
emphasize human dignity and social justice as
we move toward the creation of healthier communities.
Michael Neudecker, MD, Medical Director
Unity Family Home Care
Lisa Hanowski, RN, Director Unity Family Home
Care & Hospice, 320-632-1143
lisahanowski@catholichealth.net |
