Routine Care

A plan of care is designed specifically to meet your needs each day. Your personal preferences as well as medical, spiritual and sociological needs are taken into consideration in developing your plan of care. It is changed as your needs change.

The interdisciplinary team will discuss your needs with you and offer all available support.

The Patient and Family are instructed to contact the Hospice Nurse at any time of the day or night should a need or question arise that requires attention before the next regularly scheduled visit. Every effort is made to maintain you comfortably in your own home despite ongoing changes in your needs. Medication and equipment is often ordered and available for your use before you need it to avoid late night and weekend disruptions to your comfort. You will be asked to call your VNA Hospice nurse BEFORE calling an ambulance as most needs can be met more quickly and more comfortably at home. Should hospitalization be necessary, your nurse can facilitate your admission to avoid unnecessary procedures or delays in the hospital admission process.

Inpatient Care

Short periods of inpatient care may be provided for acute symptom control (i.e. General Inpatient Services) or to permit a day or two of rest for the family caregiver (i.e. Inpatient Respite Services).

The interdisciplinary team will discuss your needs with you and offer all available support.

The Patient and Family will be instructed to contact the Hospice Nurse BEFORE calling an ambulance for transport of the patient to a hospital or nursing facility. This is to avoid the discomfort and the delays often encountered in busy emergency departments. Arrangements made by the Hospice Nurse will also bypass any unnecessary procedures (such as lab work and X-rays) considered routine in most hospitals.

Continuous Care

During a medical crisis, the Patient may benefit from a brief period of continuous home nursing. Staffing is arranged as necessary to best meet the needs of the Patient. This service is most often needed during the last hours or days. In all cases, the Patient has requested to be allowed to stay in their own home if at all possible. The Patient’s comfort and well-being are the primary concern.

Bereavement Support

For 13 months following the death of a loved one, VNA Hospice provides support and encouragement for the family and close friends. Memorial Services are held at least once every year in more than one area for the convenience of those wishing to participate. Support Groups form and disband as the needs arise.

Call to request information or a support group to meet your needs.

Respite Care

Occasionally, it is unwise or unsafe to leave someone home alone, even for short periods of time. Still, they prefer to remain at home and do well there with minimal assistance and/or supervision.

In those cases, VNA will provide a Sitter to stay with the client during those periods when the regular caregiver must be away or is asleep. The Sitter will assist the client to the bathroom, place food that has been prepared within easy reach and assist with minor difficulties for an otherwise independent or stable person.

Be sure to ask for VNA when the DHSS Caseworker asks which agency you prefer.
Call Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Missouri today and learn how you can receive convenient home medical care from a team with 45 years of experience.