Local hospice organization opens in Logan County

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[July 14, 2012]  A new locally owned, faith-based hospice has opened in Lincoln. Safe Haven Hospice offers end-of-life care and support to terminally ill patients and their families throughout central Illinois.

The Safe Haven team helps terminally ill patients have control over their medical care and manage their pain. The goal is help make patients' final days comfortable and meaningful.

Hospice care, which is covered by Medicare and most forms of health insurance, requires a physician referral. The emphasis is on compassionate care and relief of the patient's symptoms, rather than on curing the patient.

Only about half of the Logan County patients eligible for hospice care currently use the services, according to Greg Patterson, executive director at Safe Haven.

"We want people to be aware of our services so they can determine if hospice would be helpful to them or their loved ones," he said.

"Safe Haven's goal is to free our patients from pain, loneliness and despair," he explained. "That gives patients time to complete their life's works -- forgiving, seeking forgiveness, sharing love and saying goodbye."

Hospice also helps families prepare for the passing of a loved one by having medical, spiritual and emotional support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Bereavement care is available to families for up to 12 months after the death of the patient.

Safe Haven is licensed by the state of Illinois and by Medicare. Safe Haven hospice services are available in patients' homes and in nursing homes.

The Safe Haven office is in downtown Lincoln at 628 1/2 Broadway St. The staff can be contacted 24 hours a day at 732-5180.

Patterson is available to speak to local organizations -- at no cost -- about myths regarding hospice care. His presentations also include stories from his 10 years in the hospice field.

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Myths about hospice care

Myth 1
Hospice is for only for people who have a few days to live.

Patients are eligible for hospice care when a physician determines they have six months or less to live if the disease runs its normal course. Because hospice patients get substantial relief from pain and other symptoms, they can choose exactly how to spend their final weeks or months of life. This means they can share quality family time and have a meaningful, dignified and peaceful end-of-life experience.

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Myth 2
Hospice heavily sedates people so they become addicted or sleep all the time.

When patients have a legitimate need for pain medication, they don't become addicted to it. Hospice has unmatched expertise in managing pain so patients are comfortable, yet alert and able to enjoy each day to the fullest extent possible.

Myth 3
Hospice focuses only on the patient.

Hospice helps families and friends prepare for the passing of a loved one by providing medical and emotional support. Families are even supported with bereavement care for a year after the death of their loved one.

Myth 4
Hospice is a place.

Hospice is a philosophy of care, not a place. Patients can receive hospice care wherever they live -- usually in their own homes, but also in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Hospice serves terminally ill people of all ages, with all types of progressive diseases.

Myth 5
Hospice is an organization.

Hospice is a health benefit covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most other types of insurance. There are more than 5,000 hospice providers in the U.S.

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Source: Safe Haven Hospice, Lincoln

[Text from file received from Safe Haven Hospice]

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