Hospice is a crucial aspect of end-of-life care that focuses on providing comfort and support to individuals facing terminal illnesses. "Everyone has the right to die with dignity, respect and peace, we make sure that we're there to fulfill that. And not only that, but we want to make sure that the families are well taken care of," said Tanner Wolf, regional marketing director for Three Rivers Hospice.
Over the last 10 years, hospice has transformed into a multiple-faceted service that provides more assistance than just being with the patient when they take their last breath. Three Rivers Hospice, located at 3901 Beck Road Suite C in St. Joseph, is independently owned from top to bottom and operates as a smaller hospice company.
Funded by a single investor, Three Rivers services over 70 counties in Missouri. When determining if someone is eligible for hospice care, Wolf said that a decline in health and an inability to care for yourself are things to consider. Usually, patients have a prognosis of about six months left to live when they go into hospice with cancer, heart disease, dementia and other illnesses.
"We would need a doctor's order to treat for hospice and then we take over and take care of everything," Wolf said. From providing hands-on care, for however many days at the request of patients, to covering "comfort" medication, the care provided by Three Rivers is mobile as nursing staff can care for patients in their homes or wherever they may reside. "Hospice is a Me.
