SOUTHEAST HOSPICE RECEIVES CERTIFICATION

Southeast Hospice, a service of Southeast Missouri Hospital, has received Medicare certification, director Judy Aslin announced.

Hospice is a philosophy of care designed to allow persons with a terminal illness to spend the final months of their lives at home with family and friends.

The Medicare Hospice designation permits coverage for benefits such as medications and equipment needed to manage the terminally ill patient; social and spiritual counseling; nursing and home health aid services; volunteer and homemaker services; private duty nursing services; respite care; acute care in a hospital setting should the need arise; and bereavement services for the family.

"Since Southeast developed its Hospice program in 1985, our commitment has been to help provide medical, psychological, social and spiritual support for patients and families coping with life-threatening illness," Aslin said. "Attaining Medicare certification for our program reaffirms a commitment to maintaining and enhancing the quality of life for patients and families."