Hospice of Southern Illinois

Premiere Local Hospice Provider

Family Stories

Learn how hospice can help you and your family before you need it. Hospice is a special healthcare option for patients and families who are faced with a terminal illness. Care focuses on pain and symptom management with the goal of enhancing the quality of life.

Helen Arentsen's Testimonial Video Photo

Helen Arentsen

Hospice of Southern Illinois’ approach is multi-disciplinary and includes the area’s only full-time physician, pharmacist, nurse practitioner, nurses, hospice aides, social workers, bereavement counselors, and volunteers who, together, form a support team around each patient. We address issues most important to the patients’ wants and needs at the end of their life while focusing on comfort care and quality of life. We often hear, “We wish we had called hospice sooner”. Two families share their hospice experience. While both are positive, the duration of their care differs. The Simpson’s story includes a beautiful testimony of being able to utilize many programs and services Hospice of Southern Illinois offers over several months. The Arentsen’s story, using hospice care for only a few days, shares their desire to have the support and care for a longer period of time. Hospice of Southern Illinois, however, still was able to keep their mom comfortable and at peace. Hospice of Southern Illinois hopes stories like these offer guidance to individuals and their families on learning how hospice can help before and when it is needed! 

Nurse providing care to patient by her dog at home

Dana Simpson and her Hospice of Southern Illinois’ nurse

Dana and husband, Brad, share their hospice experience with Hospice of Southern Illinois’ care. They encourage other families in their position to ask how hospice can help earlier, rather than later. Dana’s hospice care has enabled her and her husband to get extra support, medication, equipment, symptom management and emotional support they need to make the most of the months they have together. 

 

Jim, Helen’s son, Bonnie, Jim’s wife and Helen’s daughter-in-law, & Deb Arentsen, Helen’s daughter-in-law, share their hospice experience of their mother, Helen Arentsen. Helen only received hospice care for a short time, however, her family was left with reassurance that their mom was comfortable and at peace during her final days. They encourage other families to ask how hospice can help earlier, rather than waiting because the additional support for the whole family, but most importantly, ensuring the comfort and dignity of their mom, Helen. 

Not sure when to call Hospice of Southern Illinois? The best time to learn about hospice care is before you need it. Click here to learn more about hospice care today, or call, 1-800-233-1708, to speak with a nurse or social worker about end-of-life care that is right for you or your loved one. There comes a time… to ask how hospice can help.

 

National Nursing Assistant Week

June 14 – 21 National Nursing Assistant Week; Nursing Assistants: Creating a Community of Caring©

The 2018 National Nursing Assistant Week theme is “Nursing Assistants: Creating a Community of Caring.” Hospice of Southern Illinois would like to extend a special thanks to nursing assistants and hospice aides, who provide additional support, personal care, security, wisdom, patience, and humor to the daily lives of the individuals you care for and their families every day!

At Hospice of Southern Illinois, nursing assistants and hospice aides set the standard for a community of caring. The professionalism and grace they demonstrate is unparalleled. Ensuring dignity of individuals at the end of life is the perfect example of care and community. Hospice aides assist with important daily tasks like personal hygiene, bathing, and meal assistance. They work side-by-side with nursing staff, healthcare professionals, families, community members, and individuals with a terminal illness, which provides peace and comfortable surroundings for all individuals involved in the hospice journey. This routine and compassion provides them a better quality of life and security, the true mission, and philosophy of comfort care. The impact made on those you work beside is appreciated, but the care you provide is needed, respected, and above all, honorable.

Happy Nursing Assistant Week to all our nursing assistants and hospice aides. Thank you for all you do to improve the excellent reputation of Hospice of Southern Illinois in our mission, to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness. To learn more about our care, click here. To speak with a nurse or nursing assistant about hospice care, call 1-800-233-1708. 

Helping Individuals with COPD

5 Ways Hospice Care Helps Individuals with COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an umbrella term used to describe progressive lung diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, non-reversible asthma, and some forms of bronchiectasis. With COPD, the lungs do not work as well as they once did and patients find it more and more difficult to breathe. As the disease progresses, symptoms tend to get worse and more damage occurs in the lungs. This damage is permanent. As patients progress to advanced COPD, discussions about planning for the end of life become more important. 

Once a physician certifies an individual is appropriate for hospice, seeking services for an informational with Hospice of Southern Illinois’ staff right away can provide immediate and longstanding benefits for the individuals and their families. Keeping in mind that our patients’ wishes are most important, our team which includes the medical director, pharmacist, nurse practitioner, nurses, social workers, bereavement counselors, hospice aides and volunteers, will work together to create an individualized plan of care and can specifically help individuals with COPD in these 5 ways:

  1. Reduce pain and keep symptoms under control. Symptoms associated with COPD may include shortness of breath, frequent coughing (with or without sputum or phlegm), increased breathlessness, feeling tired (especially when doing daily activities), wheezing, and tightness in the chest. Our medical directors, nurses and pharmacist will work with patients and their loved ones on proper medications and other interventions to control symptoms while maximizing quality of life.  
  2. Cover services related to comfort management of the patient’s terminal illness and related conditions. This includes, but is not limited to medications for symptom control or pain relief, medical equipment, and medical supplies.
  3. Immediate connection to resources. 24-hour on-call access to nurses, counselors, and physicians for rapid response to questions or condition changes as well as emotional and spiritual support.
  4. Better quality of life. Pain and other symptoms can be kept under control in the home or home-like setting.
  5. Comfort Care. Hospice focuses on comfort care and quality of life for the patient with advanced COPD, rather than curative treatment. Hospice of Southern Illinois Nurse with Patient

If you need more information on hospice care from Hospice of Southern Illinois for individuals with COPD, please don’t wait. Contact us early for peace of mind before crisis strikes. Call today to get see how we can help, 1-800-233-1708.

No one has to go through the dying process alone. There comes a time, to ask how hospice can help. Hospice of Southern Illinois is a not-for-profit hospice program serving 27 counties in southern Illinois since 1981.

National Nurses Week

The 2018 National Nurses Week theme is “Nurses: Inspire, Innovate, Influence.” Hospice of Southern Illinois would like to extend a special thanks to you, our nurses, as you continue to provide the highest level of quality care to your patients. You deserve special recognition for your efforts to inspire, innovate, and influence every day!

At Hospice of Southern Illinois, nurses inspire others to show compassion to their patients, their family members, and their coworkers. You innovate in ways to ensure the dignity and respect of your patients. Additionally, you influence a longstanding mission and philosophy that comfort care, when chosen, is a fulfilling and peaceful option for individuals. Your guidance and expertise, during these precious days, weeks, and months of uncertainty, is appreciated by so many patients and families that you impact every day. 

Thank you for always upholding the excellent reputation of Hospice of Southern Illinois in our mission, to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness. 

Proudly on Guidestar: Silver Seal

Hospice of Southern Illinois proudly displays a Silver Seal on the GuideStar Nonprofit Profile to show a commitment to transparency with our supporters. GuideStar is the world’s largest source of information on nonprofit organizations. They are revolutionizing philanthropy and encouraging educated charitable giving. In order to obtain a Silver Seal, Hospice of Southern Illinois shared important information publicly on GuideStar.com so our communities, potential donors, and key decision makers can find information about our organization. Now, visitors can make more informed decisions when considering a donation to Hospice of Southern Illinois.  
 
Hospices rely on reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid and some private insurance companies. However, some programs and services offered, are not fully reimbursed. Donations, Memorials and Community Contributions allow us to fully fund our programs and services, including but not limited to, speaking presentations, support groups, bereavement services, alternative therapies and more. Generous financial support from the communities we serve allows Hospice of Southern Illinois to continue our mission, to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness. 
 
Check out our GuideStar Nonprofit Profile and consider donating to your local, not-for-profit hospice in Southern Illinois and the Metro-East: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/37-1107446. Thank you for your support, www.hospice.org/donate. 

Volunteer Month: Recognizing Shooting Stars

Shooting Stars of Hospice of Southern Illinois

April is Volunteer Month

Annually in April, Hospice of Southern Illinois recognizes a special group of over 250 volunteers who donate countless hours to support patients, families, staff, and the community. In 2017, the volunteer teams logged 10,969 hours. “Actions speak louder than words,” is a famous quote that describes these “shooting stars” of the organization. They shine bright with leadership and go above and beyond with compassion, similarly like stars in the sky are bright and shine above us. Another outstanding achievement Hospice of Southern Illinois is proud to share, is that 9% of volunteer hours were related to direct patient care. Medicare requires that 5% of volunteer hours are patient care and the volunteers almost doubled this regulation. Thank you to the volunteers who come together, shine bright and go above and beyond to support Hospice of Southern Illinois’ mission, to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness. 

Volunteers are a valued team in Hospice of Southern Illinois’ circle of care. Their roles and talents are as varied as the needs of patients, families and staff. Here are just a few ways individuals can donate their time and talent:

  • Listen, read, talk, sing or write to patients 
  • Offer support or hold a patient’s hand
  • Make gifts for patients
  • Bake or photograph for fundraisers
  • File, record or enter data
  • Host an informational booth
  • Make phone calls
  • Walk and be advocates in a parade
  • Plan an event or assist with a fundraiser
  • Veteran-to-Veteran Fellowship
  • Just be there

We are certain that you will agree with current volunteers in that they receive much more than they give.

To speak with the volunteer department about joining this special group of people, contact us today: Belleville, contact Shelly Black or Sally Koval, 618-235-1703, (mblack@hospice.org or skoval@hospice.org), or Marion, contact Rita Spiller or Donna Cunetto, 618-997-3030, (rspiller@hospice.org or dcunetto@hospice.org). 

Doctor’s Day 2018

Doctor's Day

Doctor’s Day, celebrated nationally on March 30th, is a day of recognition for doctors making healthcare what it is today. To say we appreciate their comfort care, research, healing techniques, knowledge, passion, education, dedication and support is an understatement. At Hospice of Southern Illinois, the interdisciplinary care team includes our full-time, on-staff Medical Director, physicians, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, registered nurses, social workers, hospice aides, bereavement counselors and volunteers. Our doctors work closely with the whole care team to ensure the comfort, dignity and respect of our patients and their families throughout their end-of-life journey.

All hospices are required by the government to have oversight from a Medical Director, or physician who reviews the needs of patients, but one thing that sets Hospice of Southern Illinois apart is our full-time, on-staff Medical Director. The Medical Director works with a team of Associate Medical Directors and the hospice interdisciplinary team to manage symptoms related to the diagnosis, visit patients, and provide our professional staff with direct access to a doctor for medication and symptom management. The interdisciplinary team provides comfort care to patients most commonly diagnosed with the following: heart disease, COPD, cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, renal failure, ALS, Parkinson’s Disease, and liver disease. These diagnoses, in their advanced stages, require expert pain and symptom management, an experienced care team, and compassionate individuals who can get pain and symptoms under control fast and appropriately. Our doctors are those individuals you can trust to provide the care you deserve. Additionally, they work with other healthcare physicians throughout the community, advocate the importance of hospice care at the end-of-life, and educate the community on hospice services for their loved ones. As the lives of those we care for change, our doctors know it’s imperative that the physical, emotional and spiritual support is improving individuals’ quality of life, especially at the end-of-life.

Dr. Middendorf, Dr. Herndon, Dr. Daniels, and Amy Richter, CEO

Dr. Middendorf, Dr. Herndon, Dr. Daniels, and Amy Richter, CEO

Thank you to our own Medical Directors who play such an important role in the Hospice of Southern Illinois’ interdisciplinary team. They set the standard for comfort care for patients and families in the communities we serve. We extend our gratitude to the doctors who we collaborate with to ensure our patients’ goals of care, dignity and respect is in the forefront. Additionally, we thank all doctors for their research, healing techniques, knowledge, and passion to make healthcare what it is today! Happy Doctor’s Day!

Hospice of Southern Illinois’ Heroes

Who is your hero? Ask any child and the answer will range from family members to Superman. Ask Val and he will quickly tell you his heroes are hundreds of people he doesn’t even know who have donated to Hospice of Southern Illinois. “I completely underestimated the impact of donating money locally throughout my life. I always thought that since I couldn’t give a lot of money to charities that my donation didn’t really matter. Now I know I was so wrong.”

Social Worker counseling a family member

Val has been attending Hospice of Southern Illinois’ weekly support group. Bereavement services are provided by an interdisciplinary team made up of licensed employees and volunteers specially trained in bereavement and spiritual care. We offer and provide to grieving families, a minimum of 13 months of bereavement support and counseling. Our grief and loss services are ongoing, open to the public, at no cost to the recipient and not exclusive to Hospice of Southern Illinois’ patients or their loved ones.

Hospice is a special healthcare option for patients and families who are faced with a terminal illness. Patient care focuses on pain and symptom management, with the goal of enhancing quality of life. Family care ranges from caregiver preparation and education to emotional, spiritual and grief support. Hospice of Southern Illinois is a not-for-profit, community based hospice offering Southern Illinois and Metro-East communities a range of services for all individuals at the end of life, since 1981.

Social Worker counseling a family member

Hospice care is a covered service under Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurance companies. All bereavement care is non-reimbursable. Because we never charge for supportive services after the loss of a loved one, receiving financial support is essential to the livelihood of addressing the needs of those grieving. While many grieving family members might look at the counselors as the heroes, you and those who fund our programs are also a fundamental piece of this service. Simply put….we couldn’t do what we do without you.
There are several ways to give. Gifts of cash, checks or electronic transfers are the most popular ways to give; however, we also accept gifts of securities, retirement plans, living wills or trusts and other sources.

If you’ve already given, THANK YOU! If you haven’t, please consider giving locally to Hospice of Southern Illinois so you can be a HERO to someone right here in your own community. Become a Hospice Hero today!

Click Here to Donate Now

Happy Social Work Month

Kicking off National Social Work Month, Hospice of Southern Illinois sends gratitude and appreciation to all Social Workers and Bereavement Counselors. The 2018 Social Work Month theme, “Social Workers: Leaders. Advocates. Champions,” will inform the public about the past and present role of social workers in helping the most vulnerable people in our society as well as their role in improving the lives of all Americans.

March is Social Work Month

At Hospice of Southern Illinois, social workers and bereavement counselors’ roles are vast. The counseling team focuses on emotional and spiritual support, with a holistic approach, to ensure patients and their loved ones are comfortable, educated and at peace. They prepare the patient and family for the caregiving role in their home or home-like setting. They work one-on-one with families to get affairs in order to establish an advance directive and end-of-life planning, like naming a healthcare power of attorney and addressing funeral plans. Additionally, they offer veteran-centric care, working with Veterans, Veterans Affairs (VA), and the local VA Service Officers to advocate for entitled benefits. Further, coping with grief after the loss of a loved one is a different experience for everyone. Hospice of Southern Illinois’ bereavement services can provide resources and coping tools to help provide peace of mind during months of uncertainty. Social workers and bereavement counselors’ benefit individual patients and families, but they touch the community at large too, offering support groups, educational presentations, and grief counseling. 

Hospice of Southern Illinois wants to take this opportunity to applaud the work of social workers and bereavement counselors, rallying and celebrating their work to help others. This very special month is important to recognize their efforts in advocating patient rights, connecting educational resources and providing emotional, spiritual and holistic support to help improve the quality of life for people in southern Illinois and the Metro-East. Thank you for your dedication! You are appreciated!

We Honor Veterans, Level 4 Status Achieved

WE HONOR VETERANS LEVEL 4 STATUS ACHIEVED

We Honor Veterans Logo Level 4

We Honor Veterans Program Logo Level 4

A surprising 25 percent of those who die every year in the United States are Veterans. As a dedicated national partner of the We Honor Veterans Program, an awareness campaign developed by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with the Department of Veteran Affairs, Hospice of Southern Illinois’ Marion Location celebrates the milestone of achieving We Honor Veterans’ Partner Level 4 Status, the highest recognition for this program. Vicki Griffin, Hospice of Southern Illinois’ Clinical Services Manager, shares her excitement

, “Our team has learned so much and worked hard sharing this information in our communities to meet all the criteria to reach Level 4 in the We Honor Veterans Program. We are honored & humbled to serve those who have served our country.”

 

We Honor Veterans Partner Level Four Group Photo

Honored & humbled to serve those who have served our country.

Hospice of Southern Illinois is proud to continue their commitment and dedication to ensure Veterans have access to quality end-of-life care. The proximity to the Marion VA Medical Center, Scott Air Force Base, and local Veteran congregations gives the organization the opportunity to provide hospice care to a higher percentage of Veterans and their families in this region. In conjunction with We Honor Veterans focusing on respectful inquiry, compassionate listening, and grateful acknowledgment, this collaboration allows Hospice of Southern Illinois the privilege to focus on what is most important, to enhance the quality of life for Veteran patients and families and help them live their final days to the fullest.

 

Hospice of Southern Illinois is a not-for-profit organization serving 27 counties in Southern Illinois since 1981. For more information on We Honor Veterans or Hospice of Southern Illinois, please contact Deborah Hogg or Vicki Griffin, 618-997-3030, or visit our website www.hospice.org. You can also find Hospice of Southern Illinois (and how they continue taking strides to serve Veterans) on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and their blog.

 

 

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Service Area Resources

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    Contact Us

    Belleville

    618-235-1703
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    Marion

    618-235-1703
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