St. Joseph Hospice

What is Hospice?Hospice not a "place," but a type of care. It is a unique philosophy and approach to end-of-life care that focuses on both the patient as well as their family. Hospice is holistic care, addressing physical, emotional, spiritual, and practical concerns.Hospice Care Cost & CoverageHospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans, like all hospice agencies, whether they are for-profit or nonprofit.St. Joseph Hospice also provides medication, durable medical equipment, and supplies related to the hospice diagnosis, with no charge to the patient.Hospice Care: "Your Home or Ours"St. Joseph Hospice brings comfort and supportive care to patients and caregivers, wherever they call home. Our care teams offer our full range of hospice services in the patient's or caregiver's home, senior living communities, assisted living, skilled nursing care facilities, and our own hospice care homes.The Carpenter House with locations in Louisiana and Mississippi is your resource for comfort and end-of-life care and symptom management, along with respite care, to relieve hospice primary caregivers. It is a place of peace and comfort care for those facing terminal illnesses who need around-the-clock attention.As a home-like inpatient hospice facility, The Carpenter House is more than hospiceit is a warm and comforting environment featuring a family room and family dining room, onsite chaplain and bereavement counselor to make patients and their families feel safe and at ease.Common Hospice MisconceptionsHospice means that the patient will soon die.Receiving hospice care does not mean giving up hope or that death is imminent. The earlier an individual receives hospice care, the more opportunity there is to help manage symptoms and pain, address other needs and ensure a better quality of life for the patient and family.Hospice is only for cancer patientsA large number of hospice patients have congestive heart failure, Alzheimers disease or dementia, chronic lung disease, or other conditions.Hospice means giving up hopeWhen faced with a terminal illness, many patients and family members tend to dwell on the imminent loss of life, rather than on making the most of the life that remains. Hospice helps patients reclaim the spirit of life. It helps them understand that even though death can lead to sadness, anger, and pain, it can also lead to opportunities for reminiscence, laughter, and reunion.Once a patient elects hospice, he/she can no longer receive care from their primary care physicianHospice reinforces the patient-primary physician relationship by advocating either office or home visits, according to the physician preference. Hospice agencies work closely with primary care physicians and consider the continuation of the patient-physician relationship to be of the highest priority.Is Hospice Your Answer? Wondering if you or a loved one can benefit from hospice care? Take a few minutes to review the following questions that can help you decide whether hospice is the right choice for you or a loved one.  If you answer YES to four or more of these questions, it may be time to think about hospice.Been hospitalized or been to the ER several times in the past six months?Been making more frequent phone calls to physicians?Started taking medication to lessen physical pain?Started spending most of the day in a chair or bed?Fallen several times during the past six months?Started needing help from others with any of the following: bathing, eating, getting out of bed, dressing, cooking, or walking?Started feeling weaker or more tired?Experienced weight loss so that clothes are noticeably looser?Noticed a shortness of breath, even while resting?Been told by a doctor that life expectancy is limited?Hospice AlternativePatients who desire to continue curative care including chemotherapy, radiation, dialysis, etc. or symptom and pain management for illnesses such as advanced COPD and congestive heart failure can benefit from AIM Palliative Home Health. This specially designed in-home palliative care program can also benefit anyone with a life-limiting illness needing more time and information to make informed decisions about treatment and care options.This information was submitted by St. Joseph's Hospice located in Mobile, AL.  You can reach St. Joseph's at 251-675-7555 or 844-200-1104.

Become a Volunteer with St. Joseph Hospice: Make a Difference Today!Volunteering with St. Joseph Hospice is an opportunity to profoundly impact the lives of individuals and families during some of their most challenging moments. As a hospice volunteer, you will help create an environment of hope, courage, and compassion for patients facing terminal illnesses and their loved ones. By dedicating your time and skills, you can provide invaluable emotional support and companionship that makes a lasting difference.Why Join the St. Joseph Hospice Volunteer Team?Volunteers play a vital role in the mission of St. Joseph Hospice. They enrich the lives of patients by offering comfort, assisting with practical needs, and simply being present. Whether you have a knack for planning activities, offering companionship, or providing administrative assistance, there is a place for you on our team.To ensure our volunteers are well-prepared, we offer a comprehensive Hospice Volunteer Training Program. This training equips you to understand the unique needs of hospice patients and their families, preparing you to bring comfort and a sense of normalcy to their lives.What Can You Do as a Volunteer?St. Joseph Hospice volunteers bring diverse skills to a variety of roles. Depending on your interests and experience, you could engage in: Companionship Visits: Spend time with patients, providing a comforting presence. Activity Planning: Organize recreational activities to brighten patients' days. Office Support: Assist with administrative tasks to ensure smooth operations. Health Fairs and Special Events: Help manage outreach events to promote awareness. Special Projects: Contribute your unique talents to meet the needs of patients and staff. Who Should Apply?We welcome individuals with various backgrounds and experiences. Ideal candidates might have experience in nursing home volunteering, direct-care support, or activity coordination. More importantly, we seek compassionate individuals with a genuine desire to help others.Volunteers must meet a few essential qualifications to ensure theyre ready for this meaningful role: Confidentiality: Respecting patients privacy is critical. Volunteers must commit to maintaining confidentiality and sign an agreement to this effect. Good Health: Assignments are tailored to your physical capabilities to ensure your safety and the well-being of those you support. Transportation: Volunteers must have reliable transportation to and from their assignments. Training Completion: Direct-care volunteers are required to complete the St. Joseph Hospice Volunteer Training Program. Flexibility: Volunteers should be able to accommodate a variety of scheduling needs, including short-notice requests.  Ideal candidates have the following experience:         Nursing home volunteer         Direct-care volunteer         Health fair management         Entertainment and activity planning         Office/administrative assistance         Special projectsHow to Get InvolvedBecoming a hospice volunteer is simple. Visit the St. Joseph Hospice website and fill out a Contact Us form to express your interest. You can also explore our locations page to find a branch nearest to you.Volunteering with St. Joseph Hospice is more than just an act of serviceits a chance to bring light and comfort to those who need it most. Join our dedicated team of volunteers and help make a difference, one moment at a time.Contact St. Joseph Hospice at 251-675-7555 or email [email protected] or more information about the volunteer program.