What is hospice?
Hospice is a special concept of care designed to provide comfort and support to patients and their families. Patients are referred to hospice when life expectancy is approximately six months or less. Hospice care can continue longer than six months if needed, but requires physician certification. Here are some facts about Diakon Hospice Saint John:
- Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2009, Diakon Hospice Saint John is one of the oldest and most experienced hospices in the state of Pennsylvania. Specializing in palliative care, Diakon Hospice Saint John offers services to people of any age in northeastern Pennsylvania who have an illness that is no longer responding to aggressive, curative treatment.
- The program's mission is to provide care and comfort to terminal patients and their loved ones within their home settings, while serving as an educational resource in the community on end-of-life issues.
- Composed of prominent community members including medical referral sources, Diakon Hospice Saint John's group of professional personnel advises and oversees development aspects of the program. Committee members also serve as liaison specialists trained to provide educational outreach to the community.
- Diakon Hospice Saint John offers a range of bereavement services including specialized support for children and youths who have experienced the death of a loved one. Diakon Hospice Saint John is part of Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries, which has been serving people in need since 1868.
- For more information go to Diakon Hospice Saint John.