November is National Hospice Care MOnth

The WMC Hospice team includes (seated, from left): Samantha Blake, Mandy Kriener, Lynnette Kruse, and Nicole Reicks. Standing, from left: Teresa Gehling, Jill Shindelar, Karen Nielsen, Mary Wagner, Stacy Miller and Nancy Haberichter. Not pictured: Jessica Higgins, Emily Kirkeberg, Amy McAllister and Barb Moellers.

November is National Hospice Month.

Winneshiek Medical Center's hospice program has a staff of 14 people who provide care and services that are different than traditional health care services.  The hospice services include pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support and spiritual care to patients and their families coping with a serious or life-limiting illness.

Hospice is ideally suited to care for patients and family caregivers for the final six months of life.  Hospice care is fully covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans and HMOs, and is available for patients, regardless of their ability to pay.