Pictured from left are Kim Nance, director of marketing; Lindy Dingess, home care RN; Jeni Riley, director of hospice; and Claire Elliott, clinical director for home care. (Photo by Amanda McFarland)

WARSAW — Whether it is at-home healthcare or end-of-life needs, Kosciusko County Home Care and Hospice has been there 40 years to ensure clients are well looked-after.

The nonprofit organization’s services are twofold. On the home care side of things, individuals like Claire Elliott, clinical director for home care, and Linday Dinges, home care RN, see to patients’ needs, looking after a variety of ages, from infants, including preemies, to the elderly.

Services include, but are not limited to, IVs, dressings, wound care, hips and knees and patient education, therapy and care after surgery, plus areas like heart failure and COPD. Therapy includes speech, physical and occupational therapy with the goal of keeping patients at home and getting them back on their feet quickly.

“Our job is to work ourselves out of a job,” Elliott said.

While staff members do not stay with a patient 24/7, they do check in frequently.

They also work closely with the VA hospital for a variety of needs, like bath aides, homemakers and other assistance.

On the hospice side, Director of Hospice Jeni Riley said, while the patient is of major importance, so are that person’s loved ones.

“The biggest piece is just working alongside the family as they’re going through the end-of-life journey,” Riley said.

Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice coordinates with doctors and works with family to keep them informed as to what to expect. They also offer bereavement services, walking with loved ones through the grieving process.

Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice does not turn anybody away. Because of this, they will take patients regardless of whether they have insurance, Medicare or Medicaid. In many cases, they do this free of charge. However, in order to provide such services, the organization does need income.

While grants are available, they are competitive. With so many organizations in the community, there is never a guarantee that a grant will be awarded. This is where the community comes in. Donations of any size go toward Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice’s mission.

A breakdown of possible donations is as follows:

• $25 will cover a month’s supply portable oxygen for one patient.
• $30 covers a patient’s wheelchair rental for one month.
• $75 covers a home health nurse visit for a premature infant.
• $100 covers bereavement support for a family for a month.
• $140 covers a day of hospice care for a patient with no insurance.
• $300 pays for an Air Bed for a hospice patient for a month.
• A $50-500 “bucket list” donation provides for a hospice patient’s last wishes.

Volunteers are also welcome. On the hospice side, community members can help with patients, bereavement and office work. On the home care side, there is always room for office volunteers. For both hospice and home care, volunteers need to be at least age 18.