Cancer Care
Hospice

When patients approach the final months of a terminal illness, finding a loving, supportive and familiar environment becomes very important. Patients and their families who have made the decision to stop active treatment often turn to St. Luke's Hospice to help them achieve the comfort they seek.

St. Luke's Hospice is a Medicare Certified program of care for terminally ill patients and their families. It is a program for those who wish to remain in their homes, close to family and friends. The primary goal of Hospice is to provide a program to promote comfort and enhance quality of life without aggressive curative or life support measures.

Care is provided to patients without regard to diagnosis, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, physical disability or ability to pay.

Patients are referred to St. Luke's Hospice by their physicians, hospitals, nurses, social workers, family members, clergy and friends.

St. Luke's Hospice is available to any patient in the later stages of a terminal illness who:

• Seeks comfort and symptom control
• Has a physician certify that Hospice is appropriate care option.
• Has a 24-hour primary caregiver or contact person.

Hospice care is provided by a multi-disciplinary team consisting of the patient’s personal physician, the Hospice medical director, nurses, social worker, pastoral and bereavement counselor, volunteers and home health aides. Other support services and counseling professionals are available when needed. The core team works together to coordinate services that best meet each family’s needs.

Medical direction is provided by the patient's own physician.

Consultation is provided as needed by the Hospice medical director.

Registered nurses visit the patient on an intermittent basis to provide care for medical needs, pain control, symptom management, teaching and support. Nurses are available for telephone support and/or home visits during evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Social workers help patients and families with psychosocial needs related to dealing with a life threatening disease. Supportive services include patient and family counseling, resources and referrals.

Chaplain visits provide support, counseling and referral for emotional and spiritual issues.

Bereavement counseling is available for the patient's family through individual and group support services.

Volunteers visit on an intermittent basis to provide comfort, support and assistance throughout the patient's illness. Arrangements for volunteers are made through the Hospice volunteer coordinator.

Home health aides provide assistance in personal care and activities of daily living.

We strive to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support for terminally ill patients and their families. St. Luke's Hospice wishes to support you throughout this difficult time.

In 2000 Hospice opened a satellite office in McCall, serving the greater McCall area.

For more information about St. Luke's Hospice, please call 381-2721 or talk to your Patient Representative.