Hospice is a very special way of caring. It recognizes dying as a normal process of living and assists patients to live as comfortably as possible, with as much quality and dignity as possible, until the end. It is a model for effective and compassionate care at the end of life with emphasis on pain and symptom management, emotional and spiritual support for the patients and their families. It is the belief of Hospice that each individual has the right to die with dignity and to have the support needed to allow this to happen.

Hospice Services

Hospice services at Renaissance Care Center are provided by an interdisciplinary team of professionals, local hospice care organizations, and volunteers whose primary goal is to coordinate the care and support of patients and their families. This team follows a personalized plan of care, which is developed for each patient and family.

Services provided by Hospice may include:

	Coordination with the patient's physician and local hospice care partnerships
	Regularly scheduled nursing visits
	Health aides for personal care
	Physical, occupational and speech/language therapy
	Social service support for patient and family
	Pastoral care services
	Dietary counseling
	Volunteer support
	24-hour on-call service
	Bereavement services

Bereavement Program

Our hospice care partner organizations offer a support system to assist families before and after the death of a loved one. Contact is maintained for up to 13 months following the death of a patient through telephone calls, cards, written materials and visits. Referral to support groups or individual counseling is available. An interfaith memorial service is held annually for family, friends and caregivers who have had a loved one die.

Volunteers

Volunteers play a major role in the Hospice program. They are specially trained by our hospice care partner organizations staff in order to provide support and companionship to patients and families in their homes. Volunteers also assist with a wide range of additional duties, working together as a team with our entire Hospice member team. For more information on volunteer services or on becoming a Hospice volunteer, please call our volunteer coordinator at our local facility nearest you.

Admission Criteria

To be eligible for Hospice care the following criteria must be met:

	Prognosis by the attending physician of life expectancy of six months or less
	Understanding that the disease condition is irreversible with treatment directed towards comfort rather than cure
	Desire to receive Hospice care
	Availability of a primary care person, if needed
	Residency within the Certified Health Management service area (State of Illinois)
	Person who qualifies for Medicaid and Medicare
	Person who qualifies for Private insurance benefits

Referrals

Family members, friends, health care professionals and patients may call for Hospice services. Each case is assessed individually to determine appropriateness for admission to the program. Hospice services are available to patients of any age, religion, race or illness.

Current Hospice Care Contracts

For more information about Hospice services, bereavement services or volunteer opportunities contact or call us at: 309-647-5631.