November is National Hospice and Palliative Care month. Amy Suydam, Hospice Manager with OSF HealthCare in the Western Region, explains the services available to families in the thirteen counties they serve:
“The hospice program is a benefit that is offered by Medicare and it is also covered by some private insurances. What is provides a patient and family is an overall support system. You have a nurse that manages your case, CNA’s that can help with bathing, social workers to help with any questions regarding any financial situations on healthcare power of attorneys, some people have a do not resuscitate, they help with that. Also, we offer help with counseling in support of the patient and family or if they need to talk through something. We have pastoral care and then we have volunteers. We have quite a program that can be utilized. We do have a triage system after hours where you can call in and ask questions or if you need a nurse, we have nurses on call that can come out and see a patient.”
The theme for this year’s National Hospice and Palliative Care month is “Courageous Conversations.”
