Hospice & family care

Hospice is a compassionate, whole-person approach to care designed for individuals with terminal illnesses and their families. Rather than seeking a cure, hospice focuses on managing pain and symptoms, ensuring comfort, dignity and quality of life. In addition to physical care, it provides emotional and spiritual support during life’s final stages. Our hospice services are available to individuals of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs.

Hospice care is usually covered under most private insurance plans, as well as HMOs, Medicare, Medicaid and other managed care organizations. We can work with you to determine coverage.

You don’t have to go to the hospital to receive hospice care. It is typically provided where you live, whether that is your own home, the home of a loved one or a nursing home. You will be given a compassionate team of caregivers who will regularly check in with you and provide physical and emotional support to you and your family.

Palliative care, including palliative care at home, focuses on managing pain and discomfort and providing the highest quality of life alongside curative treatments. Hospice care also concentrates on pain management but is provided when a cure is no longer possible.

Many people assume that hospice care is only for the elderly, those with a terminal diagnosis or those referred by a physician. However, you or a loved one may be eligible for hospice services if you have a life-limiting condition and meet the necessary criteria. Hospice care is always a choice — you can discontinue services at any time. If you believe hospice may be the right next step, you can start the conversation with your physician.

Have you been looking for a fulfilling opportunity to serve your community? Consider joining our team as a hospice volunteer! Hospice volunteers are a strong foundation of our care team, and can assist patients and families through their end-of-life journey in many ways.

Volunteer activities include:

• Patient visits
• Reading books
• Listening to/sharing stories
• Engaging in conversation
• Playing games
• Building puzzles
• Writing letters for loved ones

We also offer volunteer opportunities in our offices, which include:

• Filing paperwork
• Assisting with patient mailings
• Building patient binders
• Answering phone calls
• Providing check-in calls to patients

All hospice volunteers will receive free training and support from hospice professionals, before receiving their patient assignment. Interested in learning more? Please contact our office and ask to speak with our volunteer coordinator.

We are licensed to serve multiple counties in Missouri and Kansas. We invite you to contact our office for information on services available in your area.