Heritage Hospice, Inc. 120 Enterprise Dr PO Box 1213 Danville KY 40422 859-236-2425 or 800-203-6633 TTY 859-236-3367

Mission Statement
    Heritage Hospice, Inc. enhances life by empowering patients and families to better cope with physical, emotional, social and spiritual concerns in the final stages of life.

Hospice Care
    Affirms life and regards dying as a normal process;
    Neither hastens nor postpones death;
    Provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms;
    Integrates the psychological, spiritual, and social aspects of patient care; and
    Offers a support system to help the family cope during the patient's illness and their own bereavement.

About Hospice Care

Hospice is a philosophy of caring for those living with a life-threatening illness.
    The hospice philosophy holds that end-of-life care should emphasize quality of life. The object is to treat the whole person, and not just the disease. The hospice philosophy focuses on patient/family-centered care that addresses the physical, spiritual, emotional, and practical needs of the patient. An interdisciplinary team of health care professionals works with the patient and family to design and implement a plan of care unique to the patient's diagnosis. In addition, hospice provides all medications, services, and equipment related to the terminal illness. Hospice care does not end with the patient's death; it continues with up to 18 months of bereavement counseling for the family and loved ones.

Hospice cares for people where they live.
    Although some hospice care is provided in hospitals, in-patient hospice facilities or nursing homes, the vast majority of patients are cared for in the place they call home.

Hospice is a Medicare benefit.
    Congress's Medicare Hospice Benefit of 1983 was established to ensure that all Medicare beneficiaries could access high-quality end-of-life care. Hospice became an optional Medicaid benefit as a part of the consolidated omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA '85). Americans are now promised the opportunity to live the end of their lives free of pain and with emotional and spiritual support. More than 80% of hospice patients are Medicare beneficiaries.

Hospice Care is not limited to cancer patients.
    Hospices now care for over half of all Americans who dies from cancer and a growing number of patients with other chronic, life-threatening illnesses, such as end-stage heart or lung disease. America's hospices are leaders in caring for patients with HIV/AIDS.

Hospice Care is increasing.
    Nationwide hospices admitted 1,060,000 patients in 2004. This represents an increase of 110,000 patients in just one year's time. An estimated 31.5% of Americans who died in 2004 received hospice care (vs. 25% in 2001).