Family members, friends, health care professionals, or patients may request Hospice of Orleans services. Although all patients must have a physician's approval for admission into the program, the initial referral can come directly from someone close to the patient. Each situation is assessed on the patient's individual basis to determine the suitability for admission.
- Limited life expectancy
- Desire for palliative rather than curative care
- Residency in Orleans County, New York
- Physician's approval
- Coordination with patient's physician
- Highest skill level of nursing
- 24-hour on-call service
- Counseling support for patients and their family members
- Personal care by home health aides
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Medication
- Volunteer support
- Respite care
- Bereavement support
- Spiritual support
- Music Therapy Program
- Massage Therapy
- Other Therapy services
This is a special letter we received from a patient's family member:
To all my friends at Hospice,
Where do I begin to let you know what is in my heart? I am forever thankful for what Hospice did for my husband (and me). Thanks to all of you, I had my husband for 8 months longer than the doctor expected. His doctor only gave him 3 weeks to live and said that it would be spent in the hospital. He always told me “don’t put me in the hospital because I will never come back”.
I promised my husband that I would keep him home with me, but I did not know how I was going to do it. Sheila came and told me all about Hospice and said “do you want to keep him home?” Just then a big burden fell off of my shoulders. Sheila took right over with everything from the bed to the wheelchair and Hoyer Lift. She also helped with the medicines that he was taking as well as a great chair for me to sit right by him. I was not alone anymore from that day on. Every day Cheryl and Flo (whom he called his girlfriends) came with the brightest smile on their faces. They brightened our days. When they got through with him, Cheryl would say “now Curt you are all sparkled up”.
How can I express and just say “thank you” for all you did for us? There are no words. Sheila would always come and give him a check up with a big smile on her face. He’d say “here comes the boss”. We will always love her. Chris got him a ramp so we could get him out easier, it was great. She always made sure I had time for myself to shop or go to lunch with my friends. Kim and the other volunteers were always ready to come anytime. I had no worries about leaving him home because they were great and kept him busy.
Can you imagine the day before Thanksgiving, here comes Kim with a 7 course meal (maybe more) for us. What a wonderful surprise that was. I never expected that. There was turkey for me and roast beef for him and so much more. He ate a little of everything and we enjoyed it like we were kids. That was his last meal before he passed away on November 28, 2009.
Aleka the music therapist came and played our favorite songs “Edelweiss” and “The Sound of Music”. My husband and I sat and held hands as she brought joy to our lives in those precious last weeks.
So you think that was the end for Hospice? No. I still get calls to check on me and Donna comes to see me. I get cards and calls even on Holidays when everyone is busy with their own families. They call and offer their help with anything I need. Hospice IS my family and I will never be alone because I know they are there for me. To all at Hospice, God bless you, I am forever grateful to you.
Love,
Hospice services are available to everyone. Hospice of Orleans is certified to seek reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance companies. The primary physician continues to directly bill the insurance company. Patients who do not have private health insurance are still eligible for Hospice care. Hospice of Orleans will work with the patient and family to develop a reimbursement plan.