At Hospice of Illinois our goal is to provide Hospice services for every patient that is appropriate.

Any patient that meets the following criteria is appropriate for an evaluation:

• If the patient exhibits and continues a pattern of decline
• Chronic weight loss
• Decreased nutritional intake
• Increased need for assistance with activities of Daily Living
• Increased need for pain medication
• Signs and Symptoms of dying process

To be eligible for Hospice of Illinois services, patients who have a life-threatening illness must agree that they do not want to receive curative therapy.

The attending physician and the Hospice of Illinois team physician must also agree that the patient has an estimated life expectancy of six months or less, if the illness runs its normal course.

The hospice benefit includes:

• Admission within 24 to 48 hours from referral call
• 24/7 after-hours, weekend and holiday admissions, nurse on call
• Physician services from your family doctor and/or our physician
• Regular home visits by a team of hospice professionals
• Multidisciplinary team approach to symptom management
• Medicine, DME related to the primary hospice disease and supplies are covered
• End of life planning
• Education regarding end of life care
• Bereavement services

Hospice services available to help you stay at home… patient care plan coordinated with your physician:

• Medications/Equipment/Supplies
  Hospice of Illinois covers all prescription drugs, over the counter medications, medical equipment and supplies required to treat the patient’s illness.
  
• Hospice Care Outside the Home
  Hospice of Illinois can provide hospice care to patients of Long Term Care Facilities, Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Assisted Living Facilities and Independent Retirement Homes.
  
• Continuous Care
  If at some point a patient needs continuous bedside care, Hospice of Illinois can provide hospice staff to help the patient through the difficult time at home on a limited basis and in accordance with Medicare guidelines.
  
• Hospital or In-Patient Care
  If a patient needs care beyond what can be provided at home, Hospice of Illinois can work with local hospitals to arrange for the patient to receive the necessary and appropriate care and return them home as soon as possible.