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Hospice
House
In the summer of 2005 Mountain Vally Hospice opened a residence for
hospice patients who are unable to safely stay in their own home.
The Hospice residence has eight (8) patient rooms, each with their own
patio, -- a great room with a fireplace -- children's play areas -- and a tranquility room -- all in a secluded wooded
area in Gloversville.
Around the clock nursing care is provided as well as care and interventions
by all members of the interdisciplinary team.
Hospice
In The Hospital
Occasionally,
short-term inpatient hospital care may be required for procedures and
care necessary for pain control or (acute or chronic) symptom
management, which cannot be provided in the home setting.
A patient may be
admitted to the hospital as an in-hospital hospice patient after an
assessment visit and team discussion if:
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Assistance with symptom control is advisable. |
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Mountain Valley
Hospice contracts with:
Nathan Littauer Hospital
Saint Mary’s Hospital
Little Falls Hospital
Saratoga Hospital
Hospice
In The Nursing Home
Mountain Valley Hospice recognizes that terminally
ill patients residing in nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) have a
right to access Hospice services. The
expertise and services offered to Hospice patients at home are also
provided to patients living in Skilled Nursing Facilities.
For many people living in the nursing facility, the
staff and other residents are the only “family” that on individual may
have. The death of a roommate
or a neighbor can often go unmarked.
The presence of Hospice may reaffirm the continued meaning of the
resident’s life and may enhance the value of service to those still
living in the facility.
Mountain Valley Hospice currently has contracts with
St. Johnsville Nursing Home, Wells House, Nathan Littauer Hospital Nursing
Home, Palatine Nursing Home and continues to negotiate with other
facilities.
Non-Cancer
Diagnosis
Until recently, Hospice has been identified with care of
the end-stage cancer patient. In
1998, only 67% of Mountain Valley Hospice patients had a cancer diagnosis.
Although most Hospice care is provided to cancer patients, Hospice
is increasingly utilized by patients with other conditions including:
advanced respiratory disease, cardiac, liver and kidney disease;
Alzheimer’s Disease; Parkinson’s Disease; Multiple Sclerosis;
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS).
Hospice can assist the physician with determining the
appropriateness of the non-cancer patient using the guidelines from the
National Hospice Organization. |
