North Penn Visiting Nurse Association

Hospice Care...

Typically, home represents a haven. For that reason,
many people with life-limiting illnesses want to remain
at home, not in a health care facility. However, they often
need special care.

Hospice of the North Penn Visiting Nurse Association
can help. Our Hospice has been serving the community
for over 20 years. Our goal is to enable terminally ill
patients to live out their lives in the comfort and familiar surroundings of home, wherever they call home.

Members of our hospice team bring special skills to the
care of patients.

Our staff includes:

Registered Nurses – who work closely with a patient's
physician to control symptoms, relieve pain, and provide
direct care, instruction and support.

Social Workers – who provide emotional support and
counseling, including assistance with financial concerns.

Home Health Aides – who provide personal care, such
as bathing, toileting, meal preparation and light household
chore assistance.

A Chaplain – who offers spiritual support to people of
all faiths.

Volunteers – who provide companionship to patients
and respite to caregivers.

Additional Services

Physician coverage or visits
Oxygen, medical equipment and supplies
Nutritional counseling
Physical, occupational and speech therapy
Financial assistance with medications, equipment and supplies.

Care Outside the Home

In some cases, it is not possible for patients to remain in their home. For that reason, our hospice also provides care in hospitals and nursing homes. Hospice of North Penn VNA can arrange for patients to be transferred for a temporary or permanent placement and can continue care after the move.

Hospice services may be coordinated with other VNA services such as Meals on Wheels and Adult Day Services to give respite to caregivers and enhance a patient's quality of life.

Bereavement Counseling

Usually, after the death of a patient, care givers and family members need help through the grieving process. Our bereavement counselor offers support for 13 months after
death through individual counseling, support groups and memorial services.

Payment Methods

For patients who have Medicare as their primary or secondary insurance, the Medicare Hospice Benefit will pay for hospice care. In addition, most major insurances including Blue Cross and other HMO plans will pay for hospice services. For those without insurance coverage, a sliding scale is available.

For those who need it, additional financial support may be available through Friends of Hospice.