Hospice is a philosophy of care that recognizes death as the final stage of life and seeks to enable patients to continue an alert, pain-free life and to manage other symptoms so that their last days may be spent with dignity and quality, surrounded by their loved ones.
Hospice affirms life and does not hasten or postpone death. Hospice care treats the person rather than the disease; it highlights quality rather than length of life. It provides family-centered care, involving the patient and family in the decision-making process. Care is provided for the patient and family 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Hospice care can be given in the patient’s home, hospital, nursing home, or private hospice facility. Hospice is not a place; it is a service. PruittHealth operates Hospice Care at Christian City, providing hospice services in the patient’s home for residents who live on the Christian City campus.
For hospice needs on the Christian City campus, there are two options. PruittHealth operates Hospice Care at Christian City, providing hospice services in the patient’s home for residents who live at Christian City as well as for individuals who live in the surrounding community. Southwest Christian Care, a full-service, not-for-profit ministry that provides in-patient hospice care services at no cost to patients or their families, is located on Lester Road adjacent to Christian City. While separate from Christian City, our close partnership with Southwest Christian Care spans over three decades. For more information about the services provided by Southwest Christian Care, please visit www.swchristiancare.org
When is Hospice care appropriate?
Any disease with a prognosis of 6 months or less, is qualified to receive hospice services. We care for and have expertise in the care of patients with many life-limiting illnesses and conditions, including but not limited to:
- AIDS
- Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia
- ALS, also known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”
- Cancer
- Cardiomyopathy
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Emphysema
- Heart Disease
- Liver Disease
- Renal or Respiratory/Pulmonary Disease (end stage)
- Stroke/CVA (Cerebral Vascular Accident)
How to pay for Hospice services
Most people who use hospice care are over age 65 and are entitled to the Medicare Hospice Benefit. This benefit covers virtually all hospice services and requires little, if any, out-of-pocket costs. Hospice services are also covered by Medicaid and most insurance companies. Medicaid is an assistance program funded jointly by the federal and state governments and administered by individual states. Medicaid sends payments directly to your health care providers.
