What Does Hospice Mean to Me?

hands oneHospice 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