Effective Jan. 1, 2022, Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice will be introducing the area’s first palliative home care program, in addition to its continued dedicated focus on its hospice care patients.
This shift in services will allow the agency to better meet the changing needs of the community, offer better staffing ratios and stay viable as a locally-owned-and-operated not-for-profit agency, according to a news release from the Home Care & Hospice.
“Changing our focus to palliative and hospice care, allows us to continue our mission to deliver the highest quality patient care to those in their greatest time of need,” said Glenn Hall, executive director of the agency. “We remain committed to our mission of making a positive difference in the lives of those we serve, treating all individuals with integrity, compassion and respect.”
Ultimately, Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance reimbursement rates have not grown at the same pace as the agency’s expenses and are not expected to increase in the foreseeable future, the release states. This trend, combined with labor shortages and staffing challenges, has led the agency to move away from traditional home healthcare and shift to offering new palliative care services. The agency will continue to serve veterans through Veterans Administration Programs and is proud to begin offering the new palliative care home care program, according to the release.
The addition of palliative home care will allow the community to benefit from services previously not offered in Kosciusko County. Palliative care focuses on easing pain and discomfort, reducing stress and helping people have the highest quality of life possible. It is appropriate at any age and any stage of serious illness, not just end-of-life. This shift in focus of care will also allow the agency to utilize the existing clinical staff to support both programs. The agency will begin notifying any home health care patients affected by the change in services immediately and will help in transitioning their care to multiple existing agencies.
As the healthcare landscape continues to change, the Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice mission remains the same. “We continue to be grateful for the grants and support received from the K21 Health Foundation, County Commissioners and other grantors/private donors. We will continue to depend on those funds to help us provide care for those patients in their greatest time of need,” the release states.
