Northwestern Memorial Hospital Logo

Home

Northwestern Memorial Home Hospice Care

Northwestern Memorial Hospital Home Hospice Program assures patients that each day can be enjoyed in physical and emotional comfort. Our team of physicians, nurses, social workers, pastoral counselors, bereavement counselors, volunteers and other healthcare professionals provide holistic home-based support to patients and families.

Conditions Treated
Patients in the Northwestern Memorial Home Hospice Program have access to a wide range of services and care resources, including:

• Symptom management
  Healthcare providers evaluate and treat pain and symptoms that cause discomfort through the inpatient palliative care unit or the outpatient palliative care clinic.
  
  
• Emotional care
  Art therapy, massage therapy, music therapy, social work and spiritual counseling are used to help with the emotional care of patients and family members.
  
  
• Spiritual care
  Pastoral counselors representing many faiths are available to patients and family members.
  
  
• Support services for caregivers
  Caregivers may receive home services, such as medications and medical equipment, to ensure that their loved one's health care needs are met.
  
  
• Volunteer services
  Volunteers support patients and family members through direct patient care, companionship and socialization.
  
  
• Emergency access
  A hospice nurse is available by pager 24 hours a day in case of emergency. The nurse is available to handle acute or rapidly changing situations.
  
  
• Bereavement
  Our staff offers support and care for families up to one year after the death of a loved one. Services include telephone support, individual counseling, support groups, educational materials and presentations, memorial services and referrals for special resources as needed.

Home Hospice Team
The home hospice team provides experienced and compassionate care. Team members include:

• Medical director
• Physicians
• Registered nurses
• Licensed social workers
• Pastoral counselors
• Nurse practitioners
• Certified nursing assistants
• Physical therapists
• Occupational therapists
• Art therapists
• Pharmacist
• Dietitian
• Homemaker
• Volunteers

Cost and Payment
Hospice care cost is usually covered by Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurance carriers. Our staff will contact your insurance company to confirm coverage and will discuss other payment options with you if necessary. No patient is denied hospice care because of inability to pay.

More on Home Hospice and Palliative Care Program
Contributions to our program enable us to provide patients and families the most compassionate care, integrated with education and research. If you would like to support our program or remember a loved one by making a gift, please call (312) 926-4600.

Contact
To learn more about Home Hospice or to schedule an initial appointment, call (312) 926-4600. A referral from your physician is the only requirement.