"To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose--a time to be born, a time to die, a time to cry, and a time to laugh." - Ecclesiastes 3:1

"To the world I may be one person, but to one person I may be the world"

Hospice is a special way of caring for patients whose disease cannot be cured. The true meaning of Hospice is HOME CARE. The Hospice program is a supportive system designed to meet the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the patient and their loved ones. Hospice focuses on providing "intensive caring" for the dying with care, comfort, and companionship. Hospice programs have been providing comfort and support for the dying for hundreds of years.

For more information about the hospice services offered through Crittenden Regional Hospitals Hospice program (formerly Haven Hospice), please choose from the categories below:

• Philosophy and Objectives
• Admission Criteria
• Hospice Team
• Financial Coverage and Endowment Fund
• Opportunities Available and Speakers

Please feel free to contact Crittenden Regional Hospital Hospice with any questions about the services described above.

Crittenden Regional Hospital Hospice
308 S Rhodes
West Memphis, Arkansas 72301
870.732.3353

800.464.8025
24-Hour availability

The purpose of the Hospice program is to provide care and support for those who are in the final phase of a terminal illness - to see that they can live as fully and comfortably as possible. Hospice affirms life and regards dying as a natural process of life. It neither hastens nor prolongs death. Hospice nursing is distinct from other nursing practices in several fundamental ways. Most basic to Hospice nursing is the concept that the entire family is the unit of care. Because of this, the patient/family joins the nurse in determining the goals of the care given. Also central to Hospice nursing practice is the belief that the patient's quality of life is as vital to well being. Hospice nurses strive to enhance quality when the quantity is limited.

Objectives:

• To provide a holistic, dignified approach to the care of the dying patient and his/her family.
• To provide education for the patient/family to enable them to become active participants in their care.
• To provide quality terminal and supportive care based primarily in the home setting.
• To provide quality terminal and supportive care as needed on an inpatient basis when home symptom relief is not effective.
• To provide respite care when necessary.
• To provide a means for coordination of care with the physician, community resources and services available to the dying patient and his/her family.
  
  

Admission Criteria

Crittenden Regional Hospital Hospice provides services to people who live in Crittenden County and surrounding areas. Hospice care is available for a person of any age who:

• Has an incurable illness with a limited life expectancy and is aware of prognosis.
• Is no longer undergoing curative treatment.
• Has an identified caregiver in the home that is available and willing to provide care with the Hospice team.
• Has a primary physician who agrees to Hospice care. Hospice care is more beneficial if it begins in time for important relationships and trust to develop.
  
  

Team

With death being an event that affects the whole family, Hospice offers a trained interdisciplinary team. This team can consisting of volunteers and professionals trained to help patients and their families deal with the physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects associated with death and dying. Patients, their families, and friends are important members of the team, since it is their needs Hospice seeks to serve. Other members of the Hospice team may include: Hospice Medical Director, Hospice Clinical Director, Physicians, Nurses, Social Worker, Clergy, Pharmacist, Volunteer Coordinator, Volunteers, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist and Speech Therapist. Team members work together to achieve comfort for the patient and family. Team meetings are held regularly to plan and revise care strategies for patients and families.

Crittenden Regional Hospital Hospice works with each patient's physician in coordinating care. This allows patients to be comfortable at place or residence whether private home or nursing home. The Hospice team provides:

• Assistance with pain/symptom control
• Professional nursing care on a regular basis - but assistance is available as needed 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• Home care aide
• Counseling for patients and families
• Spiritual care from the Hospice Chaplain as requested
• Volunteer services to offer respite and assistance to the family
• Short-term inpatient care for pain/symptom management or for family respite
• Bereavement sources for at least one year following the patient's death
  
  

Financial Coverage and Endowment Fund

Financial Coverage

Crittenden Regional's Hospice program is a Medicare certified Hospice program. It provides care to eligible people under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, as well as other private insurance carriers that provide these benefits. Each patient/family will be evaluated on an individual basis. Services will be provided based on need, regardless of age, race, creed, sex, physical handicap or ability to pay.

Endowment Fund

Hospice provides care regardless of ability to pay. The program depends on community financial support by contributions, memorials, equipment donations and supplies. All donations is used in Hospice care and is greatly appreciated. Gifts can be made payable to Crittenden Regional Hospital, specifying "Hospice."

Opportunities available and Speakers

Opportunities Available

Volunteers are needed to help with:

• Direct patient/family care
• Companionship
• Shopping
• Family Assistance

Speakers

Hospice speakers are available to speak to church, civic club, or other organizational groups.

This web page has been designed to assist you and your loved ones with making informed decisions about your health care. Referrals are accepted from patients, family members, clergy, friends or physicians. To make a referral to the hospice program contact the Hospice office between the hours of 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Referrals are not accepted into the program until eligibility can be verified by the Hospice Director.

For more information, please call 870.732.3353 or 800.464.8025.