Here for you with hope, dignity, and compassion

What is Grinnell Regional Hospice? | Caring for You | With Hope, Dignity, and Compassion | Services | Referral | Cost | Meet and Eat | Resources

Dear Grinnell Regional Hospice,

Your kindness and concern for our family during the last month is more than we could hope for. We were so impressed by your great service that we would sure recommend you to a family in need….You brought comfort and caring to mom and our family during all of your visits. We will be forever grateful.

Love you guys,
The Polka Family

Pictured: Randy Svendsen, social worker and bereavement counselor, and Susan Leathem Sanning, Grinnell Regional Hospice chaplain, provide support to hospice patient Doris Polka’s family.

What is Grinnell Regional Hospice?

Grinnell Regional Hospice was established in 1981 by a group of individuals that saw the need in their community to provide their neighbors and loved ones with quality end-of-life care. This mission continues today.

Grinnell Regional Hospice works diligently to be a leader in setting the national standard in quality hospice services. The staff at Grinnell Regional Hospice seek to exceed the needs and expectations of every individual that we are privileged to serve.

Hospice provides caring support for individuals and families experiencing advanced stages of terminal illness. Hospice is a choice that should be carefully considered by patients, families, and health professionals.

Grinnell Regional Hospice is a Medicare-certified, nonprofit organization, and is a service of Grinnell Regional Medical Center. Dr. J.R. Paulson serves at the medical director and is board certified in hospice and palliative medicine.

For more information, call Grinnell Regional Hospice at 641-236-2418.

Caring for You

Hospice affirms the dignity and worth of life. Hospice services are directed toward care and comfort versus cure. Grinnell Regional Hospice believes the quality of a person’s life is not determined by the quantity of days that remain. Each person is encouraged to direct the care that they choose with hospice walking along side on the journey. Hospice care should be family centered and aims to meet the needs of the family by providing comfort to the patient and support to the caregiver.

Grinnell Regional Hospice has a central office on the campus of the medical center; however, care occurs where the patient is currently residing, which would include a private home, a nursing facility, an assisted living facility, or at GRMC.

With Hope, Dignity, and Compassion

Grinnell Regional Hospice care…

• Attends to the whole person, addressing physical, psychological, social, financial, and spiritual needs in partnership with the attending physician.
  
• Focuses on the quality of each day not the quantity of days. Death is regarded as a natural process and is neither intentionally hastened nor prolonged.
  
• Considers the whole family the “unit of care.” Decisions are made with the involvement of all parties.
  
• Uses a team approach of care. Physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, home health aides, pharmacists, dietitians, respiratory therapists, massage therapists, and volunteers work together to provide medical and psychosocial support and care.
  
• Helps patients of any age with any life-limiting diagnosis.
  
• Offers comprehensive support. Staff encourage patients to remain active and stay involved in activities that bring joy and satisfaction. Attending to emotional and spiritual needs are as equally important as the medical needs in patients facing a terminal illness.
  
  
  

Services Available Through Grinnell Regional Hospice

• Sophisticated methods of pain and symptom management that includes providing all medications used in the treatment of the terminal illness.
  
• Regular nursing visits, as needed.
  
• Social work visits, as needed.
  
• Chaplain visits, as requested by patient and family.
  
• Nursing staff and the social worker are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to meet needs.
  
• Physician services and monitoring related to the terminal illness.
  
• Nutritional counseling.
  
• Hospice aides to assist with personal care and light housekeeping.
  
• Speech therapy, occupational therapy or physical therapy, when appropriate.
  
• Integrated therapies such as massage therapy or acupuncture, when appropriate.
  
• Medical supplies and equipment necessary for the patient’s care.
  
• Respite care for caregivers.
  
• Volunteer support for patient and caregivers.
  
• Bereavement support for family members.
  
  

Hospice services are not intended to take the place of care by the family but rather to support the caregiver.

Who Refers to Hospice?

At any time during a life-limiting illness, it is appropriate to discuss all of the patient’s care options, including hospice. Referral to the program may come from physician, family member, healthcare professional, clergy, or friends.

Cost

Hospice is a Medicare and Medicaid benefit and most insurance companies have a hospice benefit. However, at Grinnell Regional Hospice, no one is denied service because of inability to pay for services

Meet and Eat
1st Sunday of the month • 5:30 p.m. • Tomasek Conference Center, GRMC

This is not your typical bereavement support group. Meet & Eat is a monthly dinner gathering for those who have lost a loved one. It is a time to remember that even though you may have lost a loved one, you can still be social and enjoy a meal out with others who share similar experiences. For more information, call 641-236-2418 or email shuls@grmc.us.