Hospice Care


Des Moines 515-643-8400 | Johnston 515-643-6150


MercyOne Hospice offers comfort, dignity and quality care to individuals and families facing life-limiting illnesses. The goal of hospice care is to make patients as comfortable as possible. While your physician will still be in charge of your care, hospice can reduce the need for hospitalization and doctor’s office visits. Hospice care is provided at home as well as in assisted living, nursing facilities, or in our inpatient hospice residence - MercyOne Johnston Hospice House.

MERCYONE HOSPICE OFFERS:

  • Pain and Symptom Management
  • Medication Management
  • Nurse On Call – 24 hours/day, 7 days/week
  • Regular Registered and Licensed Nurse visits
  • Hospice Aide visits to help with personal care needs
  • Emotional and Spiritual Support
  • Home Medical Equipment Coordination
  • Bereavement Support

When is it Time for Hospice?

End-of-life care can be difficult to discuss but it is best for family members to talk about these issues before they become an immediate concern. The quicker a patient is admitted to Hospice care, the better equipped we are to address pain and symptom management and identify any special needs the patient or family may have.

Hospice care is appropriate when a person is no longer seeking curative treatment and the focus shifts from curative to comfort care.

Usually, most insurance companies and Medicare require a prognosis of six months or less. Though this can be difficult to predict, your doctor will be able to help you determine when you might benefit most from starting Hospice services. Once all parties agree that Hospice care is the next step, anyone can call to begin the referral process.

Who is Eligible for Hospice Care?

Hospice care is not just for cancer patients. It is also valuable for patients experiencing end-stage renal, lung, liver or heart diseases, AIDS/HIV, Alzheimer’s disease, coma and neurological disorders, such as ALS.

A person is eligible for Hospice care once he or she is certified by a physician as having a life-limiting illness with a life expectancy of six months or less. People of all ages, including infants, with any type of terminal illness qualify.

Arranging Hospice Services

First, have the patient evaluated by their doctor to assure that curative efforts are no longer effective and that the patient is appropriate for hospice care. A doctor’s consent is needed to begin receiving hospice care.

Next, call MercyOne Hospice Care at (515) 643-8400 for an initial assessment. There is no cost or obligation for this service.

Finally, meet with the MercyOne Hospice staff. We can meet in the privacy of your own home, at any hospital, or we can show you our beautiful hospice facility in Johnston. This meeting allows us to explain the individualized services available to the patient and family at home or in a facility. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you would like about our services and care.  Hospice referrals are taken seven days a week.

How is Hospice Care Paid For?

Hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private health insurance plans.

If hospice care is provided in a nursing home, assisted living facility or at the residential level of care at MercyOne Johnston Hospice, patients are responsible for paying their own room and board fees.

It is important to note that hospice care is provided based upon need instead of ability to pay. No one will be turned away because they cannot afford services. Therefore, we welcome and appreciate donations from the community to help care for those who cannot otherwise afford it.

The MercyOne Hospice Team

Hospice patients and families benefit from the care and services of a team of professional staff and volunteers. Members of the team include:

  • Medical Director – Oversees the hospice program and is available for consultation
  • Physician – Directs the plan of care provided
  • Nurse – Makes regular home visits and is available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for consultation and support
  • Home Health Aide – Assists with personal care and provides caregiver relief
  • Social Worker – Assists with end-of-life issues and provides emotional support
  • Chaplain – Provides spiritual support
  • Volunteer – Provides the patient and family with assistance and companionship
  • Music Therapist – Provides relaxation, reduced isolation and cognitive and sensory support

Members of the team meet weekly to collaborate on each patient and to develop an individualized plan-of-care to best meet the patient’s specific needs.

We also have interpretive services available for those patients with communication, hearing, language or vision barriers.

MercyOne Hospice House

MercyOne Johnston Hospice House is a beautiful 12-room facility offering a home-like atmosphere for patients and their families. Each patient room is equipped with a private bathroom, fireplace, and separate family room with hide-a-bed sofa, refrigerator, phone, wireless internet service and cable TV. Families are encouraged but not required to stay with the patient as much as possible. Shower facilities for family members are available. Children are welcome at MercyOne Johnston Hospice. We provide two playrooms equipped with a variety of books, games and toys for all ages.

Visiting hours are open. Outside doors are locked for security purposes during the late evening and night hours, but visitors may use the buzzer near the front door for easy access at these times.

Each patient room has direct access to a semi-private patio. Additionally, our central “healing garden” offers a haven of peace and tranquility with its many fountains and beautiful landscaping.

Quiet, secure and comfortable surroundings make MercyOne Johnston Hospice House the next best thing to home for patients and families facing life-limiting illness. Tours are available by appointment. Take a virtual tour of the Hospice House.

Hospice Care at Home vs Nursing Facilities?

When possible, MercyOne Des Moines Hospice Care works with patients and families to keep them in the comfort of their home at the end of life. Hospice team members come to the home to provide nursing care and support services. Delivery of durable medical equipment can be arranged to facilitate keeping patients at home.

In cases where patients are unable to remain at home, MercyOne Johnston Hospice House is available to assure a smooth transition from home to our inpatient facility, or another area nursing facilities. We have developed strong relationships with staff members at surrounding facilities, working with them to provide the same specialized end-of-life care available in the home and at MercyOne Johnston Hospice House.

 

Becoming a Hospice Volunteer

Being a hospice volunteer is very rewarding work. Hospice volunteers are available to provide many types of support to patients and their families including running errands, preparing light meals, staying with the patient while the caregiver is out and lending emotional support and companionship.

Because hospice volunteers spend time in patients’ homes, we have an application and interview process designed to make sure you understand your role as a hospice volunteer and to assure applicants are right for this type of volunteer work.

In addition, we have a training program for all of our patient care and bereavement volunteers. Areas covered by the training program include a general overview of hospice, confidentiality issues, listening skills, supporting families, dealing with loss and grief support.

Volunteer training must be completed before beginning to serve as a hospice volunteer.

To become a hospice volunteer, you must complete a specialized training program. For more information contact our volunteer and bereavement coordinator at (515) 643-6150.

Hospice Donations

For information about making a donation to MercyOne Des Moines Hospice Care or MercyOne Johnston Hospice House, please visit the MeryOne Donation website at https://foundation.mercydesmoines.org/donate.

 

MercyOne Des Moines Hospice Care

500 Southwest 7th Street Suite 104
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
515-643-8400

MercyOne Johnston Hospice House

5820 Winwood Drive
Johnston, Iowa 50131
515-643-6150