What is Hospice?

Hospice is not about dying. It is about helping the patient who can no longer benefit from curative treatment, to live life to its fullest until death. This help comes through physical, emotional, social, and spiritual support. Hospice treats the whole person, not just the disease. It is a medically directed, team ­managed program with emphasis on pain and symptom management to give the patient and family the gift of quality time.

Hospice care can be provided in the patient’s home, a nursing home, or personal care home. Sometimes patients are admitted to a hospital or skilled nursing facility on a short-term basis for symptom management or respite care.

When is the right time for hospice care?
Any person who is in the advanced stages of a life-limiting illness may enter into our hospice program. The program should be given serious consideration when the purpose of treatment becomes the prevention of symptoms, rather than seeking a cure. It should also be considered when life expectancy is estimated to be less than six months. The patient must have a primary caregiver who can work closely with the hospice team. The caregiver may be a family member, friend, or a paid professional.

Who can request hospice services?
Anyone can – including family members, patients, friends, physicians, personal care and nursing facilities, and hospital social service departments.

Caring, Professional Staff
Our team of highly trained professionals, along with your primary physician, genuinely cares about the physical, emotional, spiritual and financial well-being of our patients.

Scope of Hospice Services

• Hospice Medical Director
• Skilled Nursing
• Home Care Aides
• Medical Social Services
• Nutritional Counseling
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy
• Medication and Equipment Management
• Spiritual Care
• Volunteer Services
• Support for the family after the loss

When should I contact hospice?
The best time to begin thinking about hospice care is before symptoms are uncontrollable and before the patient is near death. Early intervention is key to providing the best possible quality of life for patients and their families. Patients do not have to be home bound to receive hospice services.

How can I get hospice services?
Hospice Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information call 1-877-300-3171.

Who pays for hospice care?
Hospice care is available as a benefit under Medicare, Medical Assistance and other payers. Visiting Nurses Association of Venango County Hospice accepts most third-party health insurance payers in our area.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

You can send your donations to:
The Venango VNA Foundation
491 Allegheny Blvd.
Franklin, PA 16323
Phone: (814) 437-0365