Strong Hearts Hospice Care is the only one in the country who offers free palliative and end of life care for patients with any combination of cancer, tuberculosis and/or HIV/AIDS. It is only the second program of its kind in the country.
We seek to improve the quality of life for patients and their families facing the problems associated with having a terminal illness. Our goal is to provide physical, emotional and spiritual support to relieve suffering. We offer services for early identification of symptoms and complete assessment throughout the disease process in order to provide pertinent education and resources.
Home Based Care:
There are currently 25 patients in our program, who range diagnostically from stages II-IV of HIV/AIDS and various types of cancer. Our current program allows us to help patients with less severe symptoms in stage II of their respective disease, but as we expand, our model is designed to accommodate our sickest patients first. Our hospice nurses visit patients in their homes at least weekly, but more frequently depending on the patient’s needs and severity of their condition. These services include but are not limited to:
- Monitor vital signs
- Purchase and deliver medications
- Transport patients to the hospital when necessary and visit them during their stay
- Purchase and deliver food
- Pay for X-Rays and other miscellaneous medial expenses
- Pay monthly rent for patients who are unable to do so given their current condition
- Educate patients about the disease process and what they can expect
- Educate and prepare families for the death of a loved one
- Train caregivers in best techniques to provide adequate support for their loved ones
- Review/reinforce instructions from the doctor to clarify as needed and ensure compliance
- Provide bed baths for bedridden patients
- Check skin for condition and treat pressure sores as necessary
- Deliver hygiene supplies such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes
- Complete a hospice symptom review form to determine patent’s condition and appropriate treatment plan
- Prayer and Bible reading during home visits to provide spiritual support
- Hold counseling sessions twice a week
- Host social events in the community for hospice patients well enough to attend
- Facilitate patients to engage in income-generating activities for as long as they are able
- Provide breastmilk and/or formula for HIV positive mothers to reduce risk of transmission