Hospice director visits Byesville Rotary

Pictured: Lorraine Teague, Executive Director, Hospice of Guernsey, Inc., and Shana Fair, speaker host.

Hospice director, Lorraine Teague spoke to the Byesville Rotary about services offered by Hospice of Guernsey, Inc. Teague pointed out that Hospice is a non-profit that has been providing services to Guernsey, Belmont and Noble Counties since 1985. The main focus of the Hospice staff is service to the patient and their family members. Services are funded by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. Families are not billed.

Teague stated that Hospice has a staff of 31 who are prepared to meet all of the needs of the Hospice patient and his or her family. Hospice uses a team approach to insure all patient needs are met. Staff includes registered nurses, home health care aides, social service workers, and pastoral and dietary counselors plus an art therapist ad bereavement support. Once a patient has been admitted to Hospice, a nurse is assigned as the patient’s primary care giver. The nurse will visit the patient at home as needed—typically 2 times a week. The social worker will visit about 1 time a month, and home health care is provided2 to 3 times a week.

The Hospice team steps in to provide care whenever a doctor, hospital, or someone close to the patient refers the patient to Hospice. Teague pointed out that anyone can contact Hospice to discuss patient services. If appropriate, the Hospice medical director will get a referral order from a doctor.

Teague explained that Hospice services are provided once it is determined that a patient has become terminally ill and expected to need services for 6 months. At that point treatment shifts from curing to providing comfort. Hospice care is provided in the patient’s home or in a nursing home based on the patient’s choice and needs. While Teague acknowledged that it is often difficult for families to accept that their loved one is coming to the end of life, she stated that early contact with Hospice insures that the patient and family have time to consider their options and to insure the patient has control over how and where the patient spends the rest of his/her life.

Hospice serves patients of all ages with many types of illness. Staff helps manage symptoms ranging from physical to spiritual pain. Bereavement support continues for the family of a patient for up to a year after the patient’s death.

Hospice has begun their annual holiday fundraiser. Dove ornaments can be purchased for $6.00 in memory of a loved one or gifted to family or friends. For more information about the- ornaments or about Hospice in general, contact 740-432-7440 or 1-800-283-0316.

Connect with #ByesvilleRotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com , Twitter Byesville_Club, or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting. #6690