Table of Contents The Hospice Philosophy The Hospice Team Hospice Services Special Grief Support Services Advantages of Hospice Care Hospice Reimbursement Medicare Hospice Benefit TennCare Benefit Private Insurance Volunteer Opportunities      Online Volunteer Application Becoming a Hospice Volunteer Volunteer Services: 374-0864 HomeCare Hospice: 374-0600 3001 Lake Brook Blvd. Suite 101 Knoxville, TN 37909 Telephone: (865) 374-0600, (888) 719-8087 The Hospice Philosophy Considered to be the model for quality, compassionate care at the end of life, hospice care involves a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient's needs and wishes. Support is extended to the patient's loved ones as well. At the center of hospice is the belief that each of us has the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and that our families will receive the necessary support to allow us to do so. Hospice focuses on caring, not curing, and in most cases care is provided in the patient's home. Hospice care also is provided in hospitals, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, as well as freestanding hospice facilities. Hospice services are available to patients of any age, religion, race, or illness. (From the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization) Covenant HomeCare Hospice was the first hospice program in the state of Tennessee. The butterfly has always been the symbol of Covenant HomeCare Hospice, symbolizing that death is not an end, but a transformation. The Hospice Team Covenant HomeCare Hospice utilizes an inter-disciplinary team of health care professionals and volunteers to address physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Hospice recognizes the patient and the family as the unit of care and the hospice team works with the patient and family to establish and coordinate an individualized plan of care. Our hospice team includes: Primary Physician Hospice Medical Director Nurses Certified Nursing Assistants Social Workers Chaplains Specially Trained Volunteers Counselors Pharmacists Hospice Services Hospice care is an approach to caring for terminally ill patients that stresses relief of pain and uncomfortable symptoms, as opposed to curative or aggressive care. Services covered and provided by hospice are those required for the management of the terminal illness. These services can be provided in the home, which is defined as where the patient resides. The following are some of the services provided by hospice: Skilled and Supportive Nursing Care Personal Care Medical Social Services Volunteer Support Spiritual Support Patient and Family Counseling Bereavement Support Respite Care Pain Management Symptom Management Case Management Medical Equipment and Supplies Physical and Occupational Therapy Speech / Language Pathology Services Dietary Counseling Special Grief Support Services Katerpillar Kid's Camp is a special weekend day camp for children grades 1-8 who are grieving the death of a loved one. Through activities, group discussions, and individual counseling, the children are able to express their feelings of loss in a safe and understanding environment. The camp is a free community service provided by Covenant HomeCare Hospice. George Bruce Nichols Memorial Resource Life-Brary The "Life-Brary", located at the Knoxville branch, provides books, magazines, videos, and tapes to the community. These resources cover a variety of topics including grief and loss issues, and coping with a terminal illness. Speaker's Bureau Members of the hospice team offer educational programs on grief and loss to the community. Grief Support Groups Our hospice program offers bereavement support groups for adults at no charge in several communities. For more information regarding ongoing programs please contact our office. Advantages of Hospice Care Hospice treats the person, not the disease; focusing on the family, not just the individual; and emphasizes the quality, not the duration, of life. Hospice care allows terminally ill patients and their families to remain together in the comfort of home, promoting peace and dignity. Hospice utilizes an interdisciplinary approach, utilizing the combined knowledge and skills of a team of professionals. Hospice provides a comprehensive continuum of services. Hospice care has proven to be a cost-effective alternative to hospitals and nursing homes since the majority of hospice services are delivered in the home. Hospice Reimbursement Hospice services are reimbursable by Medicare, TennCare, and most private insurance companies. Donations and contributions to hospice enhance available services to patients and families. We work closely with patients and families to identify reimbursement options. Medicare Hospice Benefit Eligibility In order to be eligible to elect the Medicare Hospice Benefit, an individual must meet the following criteria: The patient is eligible for Medicare Part A. The patient's physician and the hospice medical director certify that the patient is terminally ill with a prognosis of six months or less if the disease runs its normal course. The patient signs a statement electing the Medicare Hospice Benefit instead of standard Medicare benefits for the terminal illness. (A patient can still use all appropriate Medicare Part A and B benefits for the treatment of health problems unrelated to the terminal illness.) The patient receives care from a Medicare-certified hospice program. Benefit Periods Special benefit periods apply to hospice care. A Medicare beneficiary may elect to receive hospice care for two 90-day benefit periods, followed by unlimited subsequent 60-day periods. The benefit periods may be used consecutively or at intervals. The patient must be certified as terminally ill at the beginning of each benefit period. TennCare Benefit The TennCare benefit generally closely follows the Medicare Hospice Benefit. Private Insurance Many commercial insurance providers cover hospice care through a specific hospice benefit or through a home care benefit. Reimbursement is generally on a per diem (or per day) basis with services similar to the Medicare Hospice Benefit. Volunteer Opportunities We invite you to be a part of our compassionate and caring team. While Covenant HomeCare Hospice utilizes nurses, social workers and chaplains to provide care and comfort for patients with a life-limiting illness or injury, the program relies on volunteers for extra day-to-day assistance. Some of the ways that volunteers make a difference include sharing companionship with patients and families, running errands, helping prepare meals, mowing the lawn, and sitting with the patient. Volunteers also offer clerical assistance in the hospice office and help with special events. Training is available at no cost. If you are interested in becoming a hospice volunteer or would like more information about the volunteer program, please call Valerie Smith, volunteer coordinator at 865-374-0864 or email vsmith5@covhlth.com.  Covenant HomeCare Hospice Volunteer Application First Name: Last Name: Date: Address: City, State, Zip: Home Phone: Work Phone: E-mail Address: Date of Birth (month/day): Sex: Male       Female Occupation: Employer: May we call you at work? Yes       No How did you find out about our hospice volunteer program? Covenant Employee Newspaper Hospice Volunteer Hospice Patient Other (please specify)   What made you decide to become a hospice volunteer? Please indicate the services you would be most interested in providing as a hospice volunteer: Public relations work in the community Clerical help in the office (filing, phone calls, mailings, etc.) Direct work with patients and families Resource person with seminars and workshops Bereavement Fundraising Other (please specify)   Are you prepared to attend monthly volunteer meetings? Yes       No Please list up to three (3) personal references we may contact: 1. Name: Phone: Address: 2. Name: Phone: Address: 3. Name: Phone: Address: You can also download the Volunteer Application form here. Find out how you can make a difference!

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