Mahaska Health Partnership Recognizes November as National Home Health, Hospice, and Palliative Care Month

Mahaska Health Partnership

MAHASKA COUNTY – November is National Home Health, Hospice and Palliative Care Month and Mahaska Health Partnership reminds the public that there are many care options available through MHP Home Health and Hospice Services.

“There are many home health services and hospice services available in our region, but MHP Home Health and Hospice Services is the most comprehensive one available serving our community,” said MHP Home Health and Hospice Services Director Kim Lambert, RN. “If a patient transitions from home health to palliative care or hospice, the same staff continues to provide care, ensuring a seamless transition.”

According to Lambert, MHP Home Health and Hospice staff work to serve patients and their families in a compassionate, hopeful and dignified way. “Not only do we offer skilled nursing services in the home, we also have home tele-monitoring that walks patients through daily checks of their vital signs which are sent electronically to our office and reviewed by a registered nurse. If data is outside your normal range, your doctor is contacted for further instructions.

“When patients are facing a serious, life- threatening illness and need relief from pain and symptom management, we have the palliative care and hospice options you deserve. We provide care and support to patients and their families in the home, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and the MHP Hospice Serenity House.”

Lambert said palliative care is a short-term program for individuals who need assistance managing pain and symptoms, as well as other supportive care. Staff works with a patient’s primary care provider to develop an individualized plan of care. The MHP Palliative Care program is supported with funds from United Way of Mahaska County.

For individuals and their families facing end-of-life illness, MHP also offers a strong hospice program that began in 1983 as the first rural hospice in Iowa. While most hospice care is given in the home, Lambert said there are times when the home is no longer appropriate.

“When inpatient hospice care is needed, we offer the MHP Hospice Serenity House, a residential facility that provides a home away from home for a patient’s last days,” Lambert explained. “The Hospice Serenity House is a personalized, community resource that is available to anyone, regardless of the hospice service they are utilizing.”

For more information about the home health, hospice and palliative care options that MHP has available, contact MHP Home Health & Hospice Services at 641-672-3257. Anyone can make a referral and services are provided throughout Mahaska and Keokuk counties as well as surrounding areas and at the MHP Hospice Serenity House.

Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, visit www.mahaskahealth.org.