What Does Hospice Mean to Me?

hands one Hospice is an extensive health care program that offers physical, emotional, and spiritual support for terminally ill patients and their families.It restores the hope and dignity often robbed of severely ill patients and focuses on the quality of life.

Through the skilled efforts of a medical doctor, nurse, nursing assistants, social worker, chaplain and volunteers, this team provides extra care to the special needs of those facing terminal illness.

Hospice Differs from Other Types of Health Care

Hospice is a special way of caring for the terminally ill and their family, providing physical, social, psychological, and spiritual care. The purpose of our hospice program is to allow the patient to maintain the highest quality of life possible while being cared for in the comfort of their own home.

Who Pays for Hospice Care

Hospice services are reimbursable by Medicare, TennCare and most private insurance plans when the patient meets eligibility requirements.

Research tells us that patients who elect the Hospice Benefit live on average 29 days longer.

Non-Cancer Diagnosis Covered by Hospice

Indicators Hospice Care May Be Needed

End Stage Heart Disease
End Stage Dementia, Alzheimer’s or Lewy Body
End Stage Pulmonary, COPD or Pulmonary Fibrosis
End Stage Liver Disease, Cirrhosis or Hepatitis
HIV or AIDS
End Stage Renal Disease
Stroke
End Stage Parkinson’s Disease

Frequent Hospitalizations or ER Visits in past 6 months
Majority of time in Bed or Chair
Unexplained Weight Loss
Shortness of Breath even at rest
Medication to lessen physical pain
Life expectancy is limited (6 months or less)
Frequent phone calls to physician
Can no longer independently perform ADLs

What Sets Our Hospice Apart

Small Town Independently Owned Agency

Owner and CEO is an On-Call Nurse

Visiting Doctors and Nurse Practitioners

Same Day Admissions

Therapy Services

Coverage of Meds Related to Terminal Diagnosis

Judicial Treatment of Infections

Coordination of DME/Mobile Imaging Services

Bereavement Program Including Grief Support

Volunteer Program, including Veteran to Veteran

Covered by Insurance

SMHHH Offers the Following Hospice Services:

Hospice medical directors on staff
Pain management
Respite care
Bereavement and spiritual counseling
Personal visits and follow-up for 13 months
Skilled Nursing Services
Dietary Counseling

Medical Social Services
Speech Therapy
Education
Physician Services
Respiratory Therapy
Infusion Therapy
Hospice Aides

Volunteers
Medication related to terminal illness covered
Physical Therapy
Medical Supplies & Equipment
Short-term Inpatient Care
Occupational Therapy
Respite Care