Hospice of the Bluegrass, Northern KY Inpatient Care Center

Address

Hospice of the Bluegrass, Northern KY Inpatient Care Center
85 N. Grand Avenue
Fort Thomas, KY 41075
(859) 572-3985
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Staff Contacts

Director
Carla Foster

Nursing Supervisor
Fran Wetterich

About Us

The Hospice Care Center, a 9-bed inpatient unit housed within St. Elizabeth Hospital, addresses the unique medical needs that may be best provided for in a hospital setting. When a Hospice patient’s symptoms make home care difficult for the patient and family, more skilled medical care is available through the Hospice Care Unit. The center offers the same quality care delivered in the home, except the needs are met in a home-like setting.

How We Work

The Hospice approach is multi-disciplinary. A highly skilled team of professionals and volunteers, educated in the Hospice philosophy, provides a variety of services to make the patient and family more comfortable. The staff of the center carries out individualized care plans for each patient. The care center team may consist of a physician, nurse, certified nursing assistant, social worker, bereavement counselor, chaplain, trained volunteers or others, depending on the patient’s needs and desires.

Who Pays for Hospice

Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance carriers reimburse for Hospice services, but some patients have no insurance. Hospice of the Bluegrass provides care regardless of insurance status, and at essentially no out-of-pocket charge to the patient or family. In 2009, Hospice of the Bluegrass provided nearly $1.6 million in unreimbursed care. Generous donations, memorial gifts and in-kind contributionsmake this possible.

Hospice Care in the Hospital

Our Hospice Care Unit offers family and friends liberal visitation and encourages them to remain involved in the patient’s care. The patient's rooms provide a warm, home-like setting with accommodations for family members to spend the night if they choose. Pets are welcome as they are sometimes “family” too. Comfort is a priority for patients and their loved ones. Hospice care means the patient is more comfortable, more at peace and more in control. There is increased intimacy, meaning and dignity in the patient’s life and death.