What is hospice care and Grace House Akron? We explain
Grace House Akron is a nonprofit that does not directly provide hospice care, but an end-of-life comfort care home for people who are dying and don't have caregivers or a place to go.
The organization started out as the idea of two former hospice nurses nine years ago who saw people were dying alone and sometimes homeless.
Grace House provides care and a home at its facility on Howard Street in Akron for free. It is funded by donations and fundraisers.
'Thank you for not judging me': Grace House offers home, support to dying residents
Hospice services for the residents are provided by other professionals through Medicaid, Medicare or indigent-care programs, said Grace House Executive Director Holly Klein.
What is hospice care?
A person qualifies for hospice when two doctors — one being a hospice physician — agree that a person with a terminal illness has six months or less of life expectancy.
Hospice care often is paid for by Medicare and Medicaid. Some patients stay at inpatient facilities.
But under federal Medicare guidelines, only the most seriously ill patients or those who are days or hours from death and are in severe pain are usually in those facilities.
Home hospice benefits don’t cover basic caregiver services, such as 24-hour care or feedings.
Patients can requalify for hospice care every six months or “graduate” out of hospice if their condition improves.
How is Grace House Akron staffed?
There is limited paid staff, but the house mostly runs via volunteers and donations.
What help does Grace House need from the community?
The biggest needs are financial donations and volunteers to come and spend time with residents or help around the house. There currently are nearly 160 volunteers. Donations of goods or clothing are not needed; monetary donations and gift cards are appreciated. The house also has an Amazon Wish List.
How do patients qualify for Grace House?
Potential residents or people who know of someone in need of hospice care without the financial means can also call Grace House, and Klein said staff will help get care coordinated. Call 800-715-1156.
To qualify for the free hospice program, patients must prove they can’t afford a caregiver or don’t have access to a caregiver.
How can I contact Grace House for care or to volunteer?
More information about donating, volunteering or care at Grace House can be found at www.gracehouseakron.org or by calling 330-572-4476.
Beacon Journal medical reporter Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: What is hospice care and Grace House Akron? We explain
