Support Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice
Drawing on the philosophy that each patient and their family are at the center of the health care team, Main Line Health's HomeCare & Hospice division is dedicated to the fundamental principles of caring and responsiveness while providing the full spectrum of home health, hospice and private duty services.
HomeCare & Hospice's mission is to promote and maintain the independence and well-being of individuals and families by bringing into the home an array of health services that meet their care needs. Home health care services help patients recover after surgery, illness or injury in the comfort of their own homes and can be a big help for those with a chronic disease or disability in regaining their independence. Hospice services are provided to adults with serious, progressive or life limiting illness, usually in the home setting, but occasionally in a nursing facility, assisted living facility or in the hospital. As the largest provider of hospice services in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Main Line Health's clinicians have a strong commitment to providing compassionate and respectful care to our patients.
Role of philanthropy in meeting HomeCare & Hospice patient needs
Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice is dedicated to enriching quality of life for patients whose independence and dignity can best be preserved, and whose families may be kept together, by receiving health care services and products in the home. Because third party reimbursement covers only part of the cost of home care, hospice and palliative care, charitable support provided by committed friends and donors can make a real difference in how MLH is able to help patients and families. Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice turns generous gifts into care, comfort and hope.
Funding opportunities: $5,000–$100,000
Patient Assistance Fund — $5,000–$75,000
The mission of HomeCare & Hospice is to provide high quality care to all patients in need, regardless of individual financial circumstances. The most complicated and financially challenging cases are often referred to us, and when patients have either exhausted their insurance coverage and/or personal resources, staff can make use of the Patient Assistance Fund. Services supported include emergency response units, home delivered meals, bathroom safety equipment, transportation to/from medical appointments, companion services, and emergency needs, such as assistance with utility bills. All recipients must meet Main Line Health's charity care guidelines. The Patient Assistance Fund is a vital resource in helping to maintain the health, safety, and independence of home care patients with financial need.
Hospice Program Fund — $5,000–$50,000
Embracing a holistic approach that includes the physical, emotional and spiritual concerns people may experience with advanced illness, support is provided by an interdisciplinary team of hospice caregivers who incorporate the most advanced therapies, medications, emotional and spiritual support, personal care and companionship services, and palliative care for pain control and management of other symptoms. Charitable support for hospice not only ensures that services can be provided to all regardless of financial need, but also helps us continue special efforts like our children's bereavement, aromatherapy and We Honor Veterans programs.
Telemonitoring and Videoconferencing Fund — $5,000–$100,000
Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice has experienced positive outcomes in the use of telemonitoring technology. Established in 2009, our telemonitoring program remains an important supplement to in-home services, as home health patients receive timely data and education about how their behaviors (diet, medication compliance/noncompliance) directly impact their vital signs (weight, blood pressure, glucose and oxygen saturation levels), health status, and quality of life. Among those with congestive heart failure, we have seen significant differences between the rehospitalization rate of patients who receive these services and those who do not.
Given the strong success of the telemonitoring program in reducing rehospitalizations and improving health outcomes for patients with chronic health conditions, we have further enhanced the program through the addition of videoconferencing capability. The enhanced capability of videoconferencing allows our advanced illness management nurses to more effectively evaluate a patient's health status by:
- Observing his/her physical appearance
- Picking up on non-verbal cues
- Accurately reconciling actual medications the patient is taking with those prescribed by his/her physician(s)
- Providing increased structure to a patient's remote home visit
- Increasing his/her self-care management
And, for many of our patients who are socially isolated, an added benefit to videoconferencing is improved psychological and emotional well-being.
Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice receives no third-party insurance reimbursement for the provision of telemonitoring or videoconferencing services. Rather, these services are completely made possible through philanthropy and reinvestment dollars.
Gifts to HomeCare & Hospice can be made outright or over a five-year period.
For more information, please contact Caitlyn Walters, System Director of Planned and Leadership Giving, Main Line Health, by calling 484.580.1086 or emailing [email protected].