Lewis County Hospice
A special kind of caring, when it matters most

Our Services For You

Our Mission

It is our mission to promote quality of life through the provision of holistic comfort care for the terminally ill and their loved ones before and after death.  We are also dedicated to educating our community about issues related to death, dying, grief and bereavement.

Hospice care involves a core interdisciplinary team of professionals and volunteers who provide medical, psychological, and spiritual support for the terminally ill and assistance to their families.  Focused on pain management and symptom control, the care is primarily based in the home or home-like setting, enabling families to remain together in peace, comfort and dignity.

• Treatment: Hospice treats the person instead of the disease, and we focus on the family as well as the patient. We emphasize the quality of life instead of its duration.
• Comfort: Hospice care allows terminally ill patients and their families to experience the end of life together, in the comfort and security of home.
• Wealth of Knowledge: Hospice uses the combined knowledge and skills of an interdisciplinary team of professionals, including physicians, nurses, home health aides, social workers, spiritual caregivers, counselors and volunteers.
• Cost-Effective: Hospice is a cost effective alternative to services provided in hospitals.

The Hospice Medical Director is a physician who participates in the admission of patients to Hospice and is available for consultation with the patient’s primary doctor.  The Hospice MD oversees the treatment by the Hospice team in coordination with an attending physician designated by each individual patient.  Pharmacists work with the Hospice team to ensure appropriate monitoring, supervision, and timeliness of the pharmaceutical services.

Nurses provide comfort care to patients at home, meeting with patients at the beginning of care to determine a Plan of Care that addresses individual needs with services appropriate for that specific patient.  They assess the patient’s physical status and report changes to the attending physician.  Nurses also educate the families, enabling them to provide better patient care for their loved one. LPN’s/ Home Health Aides are available to provide personal care and light housekeeping services.  A nurse is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week for medical intervention and consultation.

Hospice social workers provide emotional support and assistance with financial concerns for patients and families in need of help.  They also serve as a point of access to community resource support services.

Hospice volunteers are trained individuals who provide home care relief, companionship for patients, family and caregivers, assistance with transportation, and emotional support.  Each family is matched with volunteers to help provide regular care and support. 

A chaplain is available to offer spiritual support to patients and families who request it, serving all religious affiliations.  The chaplain is an important link in the Hospice team, identifying the spiritual concerns of patients and families and providing a connection to a community of faith.

             Family members of Hospice patients receive emotional support and guidance from Hospice staff throughout the first year of bereavement.  Support groups are offered to Hospice families and the community at large on an as needed basis.  The Hospice Bereavement Coordinator supports the family and caregivers after the patient’s death through visits, phone calls, and educational information.

Additional Services

Our Hospice program offers other comprehensive services including management of medications, home care supplies, and equipment.  We also provide consultations with deitary, physiotherapy, and respiratory therapy professionals.  Physical, occupational, and speech therapists provide palliative care according to the individual Plan of Care.  Short-term inpatient care for acute symptom management and respite are available as well.

Hospice Care in the Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility  

         Our Hospice program offers other comprehensive services including management of medications, home care supplies, and equipment.  We also provide consultations with dietary, physiotherapy, and respiratory therapy professionals.  Physical, occupational, and speech therapists provide palliative care according to the individual Plan of Care.  Short-term inpatient care for acute symptom management and respite services are available as well.