Blog Employees Newsroom (877) 713-2348 (877) 713-2348 Who We Serve Hospice Services Most Arkansans have heard the term “hospice,” but many misconceptions still exist. One common myth is that hospice is a place. It’s not; hospice is actually a type of medical care for patients who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. Comfort care and symptom management become the primary focus, rather than ongoing efforts to find a cure. Arkansas Hospice cares for patients of all ages wherever they may be: in their own or a family member’s home, a nursing home, a hospital, an assisted living facility or at one of our Arkansas Hospice inpatient or contracted facilities across our 43 county service area. In the Home Many patients with advanced illnesses are able to remain in the comfort and security of their own homes while receiving hospice care. Directed by physicians, registered nurses coordinate the activities of our hospice care teams that visit these patients. Services include: Physician-directed care Registered nurse visits Hospice care team members on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week Social worker services for the patient and family Home health aide visits Chaplain and spiritual assistance Volunteer support Diagnosis-related medications Medical equipment and supplies Respite care for patient or caregiver Supplemental nursing care in times of crisis Bereavement services In a Nursing Home Arkansas Hospice does not replace nursing home care; it actually supplements those services. As part of that extra care, a hospice nurse will visit the nursing home at least once a week. However, the patient’s nursing home physician will remain in charge of all care, with the hospice nurse following orders from that doctor. Arkansas Hospice has a registered nurse on call every night, including weekends. If the nursing home notifies a family or caregiver of a change in their loved one’s condition during the night, that person can call us to ask for a hospice nurse to visit the nursing home. Arkansas Hospice also will provide medications and medical supplies related to the patient’s hospice care for symptom control and pain relief. Other services hospice provides in the nursing home include: Extra bathing and personal care during the week Regular visits from hospice-certified volunteers Hospice chaplains available 24 hours a day Hospice social workers visiting regularly and available 24 hours a day Volunteer support Bereavement services In an Inpatient Center At the heart of Arkansas Hospice is the commitment to improve the quality of life for patients by providing care for them in comfortable settings. While most patients receive care in their home, nursing home or assisted living facility, there may be times when respite care by hospice professionals around the clock is needed for stabilization and to provide relief for usual caregivers. Patients who need evaluation and treatment for pain, nausea or other physical symptoms too difficult to control in their home setting may receive inpatient care. Inpatient hospice admissions are typically short-term stays for aggressive symptom management to improve quality of life and make it possible for the patient to return to their home setting. Patient guests will find Arkansas Hospice inpatient centers to be inviting, peaceful and accommodating. Our patients benefit from a full range of hospice services on-site to ensure their physical, emotional and spiritual needs are met. Families will also receive support and guidance from an interdisciplinary team including physicians, nurses, hospice aides, social workers, chaplains, grief support and volunteers. As a pioneer of hospice care, Arkansas Hospice opened the first hospice inpatient center in Arkansas in February 2000. Now, we have three inpatient centers to serve patients with advanced illnesses who have physical symptoms that cannot be managed in other settings. Inpatient services include: Physician-directed care Registered nurse on site 24 hours a day Personal care 24 hours a day Social worker services for the patient and family Chaplain and spiritual assistance Volunteer support Diagnosis-related medications Medical equipment and supplies Grief support For patients and families in our service area who may live too far from one of our own inpatient centers, arrangements have been made with local area healthcare facilities to provide an inpatient setting managed by the patient’s Arkansas Hospice care providers. Training Caregivers Family members are encouraged, supported and trained by a team of hospice professionals (including doctors, nurses, hospice aides, chaplains, social workers, volunteers and bereavement specialists) to care for their loved ones with help available from Arkansas Hospice 24 hours a day, seven days a week. if you would like to learn more about how to make a meaningful impact on the patients and families in our care, please visit the Arkansas Hospice Foundation. CLICK HERE Your Privacy Please CLICK HERE for a copy of our HIPAA Privacy Notice. I have nothing but the best things to say about Arkansas Hospice. They were so good to my Dad before he passed away. The love and care, compassion they showed to my dad was priceless. The nurses and CNA’s that took care of my Dad are the best and always be the best. Linda M Blog Employees Newsroom (877) 713-2348 14 Parkstone Circle | North Little Rock, AR 72116 (501) 748-3333 or Toll Free (877) 713-2348 contactus@arkansashospice.org Registered 501(c)(3). EIN: 71-0846826