There are seven hospices in Wichita, four of which are members of the Association of Kansas Hospices. Central Homecare and Hospice, Hospice Care of Kansas, Hospice Inc. and Trinity Hospice of Wichita are all members of the association. Each hospice is made up of a team of physicians, nurses, chaplains, social workers and home health aides. Volunteers, who were at one time a component a hospice was required to use, also provide support. When others can't help, we can help now.
Some hospices provide radiation and chemotherapy for their patients.
This service is not done for cure, but for comfort. Chris Kelly, vice president of Hospice Inc., says this is sometimes the only way the patient can feel better. Scott Herman of SCCS Home Health and Hospice, said his firm has chaplains and certified pain specialists that see every patient. Hospice Inc. offers bereavement programs. One of these, the Community Bereavement Program, provides grief counseling and treatment programs for children and adults.