Health

Diagnosed with serious illness? Hospice of Northwest Ohio can help

Hospice of Northwest Ohio served its first patients in 1981 and is the Toledo area’s largest provider of hospice care. A non-profit, community-based organization, we are the only local agency solely dedicated to caring for the terminally ill. In 2017, we served more than 2,400 patients and their families in their own homes, in nursing homes and at our freestanding Hospice Centers. We are Joint Commission accredited and Medicare/ Medicaid certified. No one is ever turned away due to inability to pay.

WHAT IS HOSPICE CARE?

Patients are usually referred to hospice by their physicians when it is believed they have six months or less to live and are no longer pursuing curative treatment. However, patients and families are encouraged to call Hospice of Northwest Ohio directly –whether or not they have a physician referral – to seek advice and information at any time during their illness.

Care focuses on controlling pain and symptoms so patients can spend each day in comfort, able to enjoy quality time with friends and loved ones. An interdisciplinary team addresses the unique needs of each patient and family.

SPIRITUAL & EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

Hospice of Northwest Ohio addresses not only the physical symptoms of illness, but also spiritual and emotional symptoms. Counseling services include:

•ƒ Individual and family counseling

•ƒ Assist the patient and caregiver with stress management skills

•ƒ Help patients and families understand the feelings they may be having

•ƒ Provide information and link the family to community resources they may need

•ƒ Provide support and education regarding end-of-life issues

•ƒ Facilitate meaningful conversation with patients and families

•ƒ Help family members anticipate grief and bereavement issues

•ƒ Provide special counseling for children who are close to the patient

•ƒ Troubleshoot issues that may be affecting the patient’s quality of life

•ƒ Provide bereavement counseling to family members following the death

In addition, Hospice Chaplains can:

•ƒ Offer prayer with patients and family members

•ƒ Answer questions and discuss concerns about spiritual matters

•ƒ Offer help in coping with common feelings such as loneliness, anger and fear

•ƒ Contact the patient’s own clergy, if desired

•ƒ Facilitate receiving sacraments of the church

STILL SEEKING TREATMENT?

To meet the needs of the community, Hospice of Northwest Ohio created a community-based palliative care program in 2008. The Sincera™ palliative care program integrates years of expertise in addressing pain and symptoms to assist patients with a serious diagnosis who are still pursuing curative treatment. The Sincera™ team works with a patient’s own physician to improve quality of life by addressing symptoms of the disease, or side effects of treatment.

The goal of both of these programs is for patients and families to find peace and comfort in life to allow for the time and physical capacity to get their affairs in order, have meaningful conversations with friends and loved ones and resolve any unfinished “business” in their lives.