Hospice Programs
Blue Skies Hospice believes in supporting the dignity, individuality, and worth of each patient, and recognizes the important part of the hospice process.Blue Skies Hospice provides services for children and adults. Services are tailored to the needs of the individual.
Blue Skies Hospice now offers home blood draws for homebound patients for a
donation of $25.00 to Blue Skies Hospice Foundation. Call (219) 554-0688 to
schedule blood draw.
For a free printable brochure of our services please click here (PDF file)
Services covered under hospice benefits:
Medications related to terminal illness
Medical Equipment
Medical Supplies
Round-the-clock staffing of R.N.'s
Short term 24 hour care for crisis situations
Veterans:
Of the 25 million veterans currently alive, nearly three of every four served during a war or an official period of hostility. About a quarter of the nation's population -- approximately 70 million people -- are potentially eligible for VA benefits and services because they are veterans, family members or survivors of veterans.
President Lincoln in his Second Inaugural Address indicated the importance of caring for the Nation's veterans with the following
"To care for him who shall borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan."
These words spoken by President Lincoln reflect the philosophy and principles that guide Blue Skies Hospice in providing the best possible patient care to our veterans. We believe that our veterans deserve dignified quality care. Hospice and palliative care is a covered benefit for all enrolled veterans.
Department of Veterans report on end-of-life care for veterans (PDF file)
Pre-Hospice Program:
When a loved one is diagnosed with a chronic illness, one that a cure is no longer an option, family members want and need to act fast to find the appropriate care. This can be a highly stressful and emotional time for everyone involved, and it is incredibly difficult to make these types of decisions under duress. Our Pre-Hospice Program can provide valuable information and care options.
Some of the services we can provide include:
Work with the physician to determine the most effective medications and treatments for pain and symptom management.
Educate friends and family caregivers on basic medical information and ways to enhance support of the patient.
Receive ongoing intensive education in pain/symptom management.
Assist with referrals to various community resources and offer counseling about the impact of the illness on the patient and family.
Provide non-denominational spiritual support to the patient and family. Assist in the coordination of visits from local clergy if desired.
Our volunteers can run errands, perform simple household chores, or simply sit with a patient to provide a break for caregivers.
Pre-Hospice services are available to residents of Lake County, Indiana and the bordering Illinois communities. Your Physician will verify that you are eligible for this service. There are no costs involved in utilizing our Pre-Hospice services. Community donations fund this program. An individual, family member, or a physician can contact Blue Skies Hospice at (219) 554 - 0688 for further information.
Bereavement Program:
Grief is painful and at times the pain seems unbearable. It is a combination of many emotions that come and go, sometimes without warning. Grieving is the period during which we actively experience these emotions. How long and how difficult the grieving period is depends on the relationship with the person who dies, the circumstances of the death, and the situation of the survivors. The length of time people grieve can be weeks, months, and even years. One thing is certain: grief does not follow a timetable, but it does ease over time. We have an individualized program that is comprised of monthly mailings, telephone support, and referral to community resources and short term counseling and support services.
Our bereavement program offers an opportunity for those who are grieving to understand the process.
- To understand the grieving process- Grief is a normal response to loss.
- How to deal with anger- Anger is normal. It may be directed at the deceased for leaving and causing a sense of abandonment
- How to deal with guilt- Few survivors escape some feeling of guilt and regret. “I should have done more” are words that haunt many people.
- Denial is an integral part of grieving- Shock and denial are nature’s way of softening the immediate blow of death. Denial can follow soon after the initial shock. People may know their loved one has died, but some part of them can’t yet accept the reality of the death.
- Anger is normal- People of faith may feel anger at God, for allowing so much pain and anguish. Anger may also be directed at oneself for not saving the life of the loved one. It can be a mild feeling or a raging irrational emotion. It can test one’s faith in religion or even in the goodness of life.
- Sadness is the most inevitable emotion of grief. It is normal to feel abandoned, alone and afraid.
- Acceptance- Accepting life without the lost loved one may give way to a new perspective about the future. Acceptance does not mean forgetting, but rather using the memories to create a new life without the loved one.
- Growth- Grief is a chance for personal growth. For many people, it may eventually lead to renewed energy to invest in new activities and new relationships.
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© 2007 Blue Skies Hospice, Inc.
