Become a Member
About Hospice & Palliative Care
Hospice and palliative care are a set of services that help the patient and family cope with the effects of terminal illness. The goal of hospice and palliative care is to enhance the quality of life for patient and family and allow patients to spend their remaining time in their home. Hospice and palliative care provide comfort when cure is no longer possible or when curative treatment is no longer effective or desired.
Considered to be the model for quality, compassionate care for people facing a life-limiting illness or injury, hospice and palliative care involve a team-oriented approach to medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient's needs and wishes. Support is provided to the patient's loved ones as well.
Services are provided through a hospice agency by a team of hospice professionals and volunteers. These professionals provide direct care during their visits and also teach the family how to care for the patient in between visits. With simple training, almost every family can care for their loved one who is receiving hospice or palliative care services.
The focus of hospice relies on the belief that each of us has the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and that our loved ones will receive the necessary support to allow us to do so. Hospice can be provided in freestanding hospice facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, residential care facilities, other long-term care facilities and, most commonly, in the patient's home. Hospice is available to persons of any age, religion or race.
The unit of care in hospice is the patient and family. A customized plan of care is developed to meet their needs. The plan of care includes basic services that every hospice must offer patients and families-these are called "core services":
- Medical Services
- Nursing Services
- Medical Social Services
- Counseling
In addition to services, the hospice plan of care specifies what the hospice will provide in terms of:
- Medical Equipment
- Medications
Based on the hospice's assessment of patient/family needs, the hospice plan of care may offer other services as well:
- Home Health Aide services, to assist in personal care for the patient.
- Volunteers, to provide companionship to the patient and support to the family.
HOME CARE
Ohio Home Care Organization offers the following membership types:
- Provider
- Associate
Eligibility
Provider Membership is for hospice, home or palliative care providers.
- Home Care Agencies
- Waiver Agencies
- Regional Members-Home Care Providers Outside Ohio
- Individual Members
- Affiliate Members-Businesses or Organizations Related to Home Care
- Case Management Organization
Associate Membership is for agencies not involved in direct patient care but with an interest in any or all of the following: hospice, home and/or palliative care issues.
Benefits of Membership
- Weekly E-News Focusing on What You Need to Know When You Need to Know It
- Committee Involvement and Networking Opportunities
- Member Discounted CE Approved Prominent Educational Programs and Seminars
- Home Care Annual Spring Conference and Hospice & Palliative Care Annual Fall Conference
- Technical Assistance and Consultation With Experienced Staff Able to Respond to Any Medical or Financial Question
- Government Relations and Advocacy to Make Sure State Leaders Understand the Industry and the Impact of Their Decisions
- Advocacy Coordinator Program
- Advocacy Newsletters and Alerts
- Member Section to Web Site with Archived E-News, FI FAQs and Numerous Links and Industry News and Highlights
- Inclusion on OHPCO and/or OHCO Listserve With the Ability to Ask Questions of Your Peers
What OHCO Does for Members
- Facilitates networking among members for mutual support and resource development to foster success. One of the intangible benefits of membership is the value of the network of colleagues.
- Provides educational opportunities for the diverse needs of our members. Whether you are new in the business, or have been involved for many years, continuing education is vital to the home care professional! The constantly changing health care landscape requires owners, administrators, nursing staff and financial personnel to be top performers for the success of their agency.
- Is aware and knowledgeable on current issues which affect the future viability of the home care industry.
- Works to help providers deliver quality home care within the state.
- Supports efforts to educate the community at large about home care services.
- Represents the home care industry and interests through advocacy at the state legislature and the government agencies. OHCO works to influence policy, laws, and regulations affecting the home care industry on a state and a national level. OHCO has information and materials to support providers with community awareness, grassroot activities, and public relations.
- Developing a directory used by consumers, providers, and suppliers as a valuable resource guide for home care information. A complimentary copy will be given to each OHCO member.
- Sponsors and host the OHCO listserve portal of communication to all OHCO Members. Members receive breaking news, alerts, education registration notices and timely information via our Membership Listserve. All OHCO Members can post messages, respond to messages and 'communicate' with any and all members of OHCO by posting an email to the listserve.
Find a Provider
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I am a part of OHPCO/OHCO for three reasons: networking, educational offerings and actively participating in the organization provides the best avenue to help shape the industry and influence the regulatory climate in the state.
Bill Kahl
Director,
Robinson Visiting Nurse & Hospice
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