Patients who are in the last stages of life can receive care in the comfort of their home surrounded by their loved ones through Greenwich Hospital's home hospice program.

Services are provided by an interdisciplinary home hospice team based on a personalized care plan that is reviewed weekly to meet the evolving needs of each patient and family. The goal is to enhance the quality of life of terminally ill patients and provide emotional support to their families.

Comprehensive care is offered under the medical direction of Dickerman Hollister, Jr., MD, chief of hematology/oncology at Greenwich Hospital. The team includes skilled nurses, home health aides, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, spiritual care providers and trained volunteers. All work closely with the hospital's palliative care team and nursing staff to provide comfort measures and continuity of care to patients who have chosen not to seek curative treatments.

In addition to addressing medical needs, hospice provides pastoral care, counseling and bereavement services to families after the death of a loved one.

Accessing the program
Physicians, family members or other caregivers can make a home hospice referral for patients in the end stage of a disease or in general decline from aging. All referrals are reviewed by the patient's physician and the hospice program's medical director to determine if hospice is appropriate.

Medicare benefits cover hospice services for patients who have been told they are in the final six months of life. Medicare hospice benefits may cover home visits as well as medications, durable medical equipment and 24-hour nursing coverage. Many other insurance plans also cover hospice services.

Experienced and credentialed
Greenwich Hospital's home hospice program is accredited by The Joint Commission and is an active member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the Hospice and Palliative Care Council of CT. For more information about the home hospice program, e-mail MaryAnn.Tsourounakis@greenwichhospital.org or call (203) 863-3883.

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