Mayor proclaims Hospice and Home Care Month

Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Members of Home Health Care and Hospice organizations gathered at City Hall Monday to celebrate a proclamation from Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray naming November as National Hospice and Home Care Month. Pictured here are: (front) Linda Mann, Putnam County Hospital; Robin Collins, Intrepid Home Care; Gayla Pitts, VNS; Cathy Price, Advocate; (back) Brier Bruner, Indiana Home Care Plus; Stacey Baird, Indiana Home Care Plus; Lisa Greven, Vista Care; Shirley Jeffers, Intrepid; Kerry Wilson, Vista Care; Karen Britten, Vista Care; Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray; Jen Sinn, VNS; and Steve Williams, Advocate.

Members from Home Health Care and Hospice organizations came together at City Hall Monday for Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray's proclamation naming the month of November as national Hospice and Home Care Month in Greencastle.

"Hospice and palliative care agencies provide patients and their families the highest quality care during life-limiting illness and at the end of life, through pain management and symptom control, caregiver training and assistance and emotional and spiritual support," read Murray from the proclamation.

In 1999 the U.S. Supreme Court declared it a Constitutional right for all Americans to be cared for in the least restrictive environment, which means at home.

In 2004 the National Governor's Association declared that long-term care is the greatest problem facing America and that home care was the best solution to the problem.

"Caring for the sick, elderly and those recuperating from surgery in their homes truly is a privilege for us," said Shirley Jeffers, Administrator of Intrepid USA. "Home care professionals, volunteers and modern medicine make it possible for people to stay in their homes, where Hoosiers want to be."

Home care services are paid for by Medicare, public and private sources, or directly by patients and their families. Third-party payers include commercial insurance, managed care organizations, CHAMPUS and workers' compensation. Medicare and state-run Medicaid are significant payers, often driving the payment agenda for commercial insurance.

"Despite massive cutbacks in government funding, home care continues to be the preferred means of receiving quality health care services for millions of Americans," added Jeffers.

The Mayor also recognized Hospice workers who are the dedicated health care professionals and volunteers who help the terminally ill spend their final days in comfort and with dignity.

"You all do such great work. You touch so many folks involved and so many lives," added Murray.

Home Health Care offers a wealth of nursing, physical, occupational, and respiratory and speech therapies, counseling, dietary, laboratory, medical equipment and home medical supplies and personal care.

Hospice workers use their talents and energy to care for those who are terminally ill and by providing support and comfort to their loved ones. They offer an alternative to traditional services by providing assistance in the home, so family and friends can surround patients.

Throughout the month of November these organizations will be recognized with activities and ceremonies.

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