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Hospice: a comprehensive program
1Incarnate Word Hospital, St. Louis.
Health Progress (Saint Louis, Mo.)
|October 5, 1994
Summary
Incarnate Word Family and Alzheimer's Hospice provides palliative home care, focusing on patient quality of life and family support. They offer specialized services for pediatric, Alzheimer's, and AIDS patients, expanding access through new locations and community partnerships.
Area of Science:
- Palliative Care
- Hospice Services
- Geriatric Medicine
Background:
- Established in 1991, Incarnate Word Family and Alzheimer's Hospice has grown significantly.
- The organization provides medically supervised home care with a focus on palliative, not curative, approaches.
- Patient care is based on need, not ability to pay.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the services and growth of the Incarnate Word Family and Alzheimer's Hospice.
- To highlight specialized care offerings and community collaborations.
- To detail the expansion of hospice services into residential care facilities.
Main Methods:
- The hospice employs a palliative care model, working with patients and families throughout illness and bereavement.
- Specialized services include pediatric, Alzheimer's, and AIDS care.
- Collaborative efforts with local agencies enhance service delivery.
Main Results:
- The hospice has expanded its staff and volunteer base considerably since its inception.
- Services have been extended to residential care facilities, allowing residents to receive hospice care at home.
- A new branch office opened in 1994 to increase service reach and physician support.
Conclusions:
- Incarnate Word Family and Alzheimer's Hospice effectively expands access to palliative and specialized hospice care.
- Volunteer support is integral to enhancing patient and caregiver well-being.
- The hospice model successfully integrates care within residential facilities and the community.