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Hospice of
the Bluegrass
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About Us
The Hospice Care Unit, a 17-bed inpatient unit housed within St. Joseph Hospital addresses the unique medical needs that may be best provided for in a hospital setting. When a Hospice patient’s symptoms make home care difficult for the patient and family, more skilled medical care is available through the Hospice Care Unit. The center offers the same quality care delivered in the home, except the needs are met in a home-like setting.
How We Work
The Hospice approach is multi-disciplinary. A highly skilled team of professionals and volunteers, educated in the Hospice philosophy, provides a variety of services to make the patient and family more comfortable. The staff of the center carries out individualized care plans for each patient. The care center team may consist of a physician, nurse, certified nursing assistant, social worker, bereavement counselor, chaplain, trained volunteers or others, depending on the patient’s needs and desires.
Who Pays for Hospice
Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance carriers reimburse for Hospice services, but some patients have no insurance. Hospice of the Bluegrass provides care regardless of insurance status, and at essentially no out-of-pocket charge to the patient or family. In 2010, Hospice of the Bluegrass provided $1,115,000 in un-reimbursed care. Generous donations, memorial gifts and in-kind contributions make this possible.
Hospice Care in the Hospital
Our Hospice Care Unit offers family and friends liberal visitation and encourages them to remain involved in the patient’s care. Each patient's room provides a warm, home-like setting with accommodations for family members to spend the night if they choose. Pets are welcome as they are sometimes “family” too. Comfort is a priority for patients and their loved ones. Hospice care means the patient is more comfortable, more at peace and more in control. There is increased intimacy, meaning and dignity in the patient’s life and death.
When is admission to the unit considered?
- When there are serious symptoms which cannot be controlled in the home
- When death is approaching and care in the home is not possible
- When families need a break, respite care is available on a limited basis
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Hospice Care is provided in home-like setting.