Hospice and Skilled Home Health Care

Hospice Care

Coming soon: Visiting Nurses Association Specialty Hospice Unit at LECOM Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Visiting Nurses Association Specialty Hospice Unit

When you are told that an illness is life-limiting, you may be left asking, “What do we do now?” LECOM VNA Hospice is here to answer those questions and provide the support you need to find peace and understanding in the time you have left. Our team of experts can help lift your burdens as we stand alongside you and your family.

What Is Hospice Care?

Hospice care, sometimes referred to as end-of-life care, is specialized care that provides support for the terminally ill and their loved ones during the final stage of an advanced illness. Hospice care is designed to focus more on patient comfort and quality of life than finding a cure. The goal of hospice care is to help patients live each day as fully as possible.

Medicare Hospice Benefit

To be eligible for the Medicare Hospice Benefit, you must have Medicare part A (hospital insurance). In addition, it must be certified by your hospice doctor and attending physician that you are expected to live six months or less.

It is important to note that there is not a six-month limit to hospice services. Hospice eligibility requirements should not be confused with length of service. A patient in the final phase of life can receive hospice services for as long as necessary if a physician certifies he or she is still eligible.

Wings of Hope

The Wings of Hope fund was created to support Erie VNA hospice services in a variety of ways, such as granting patient wishes, supporting the terminally ill and their families, providing assistance to those who have inadequate or no health insurance, and training volunteers who offer companionship and comfort.

Donations made to the Wings of Hope fund go directly towards helping hospice patients in the Erie Community. They do not benefit the LECOM VNA, nor are they used to cover the operating expenses of the LECOM VNA.

Click the button below to make a donation or learn more about the Wings of Hope fund.

Skilled Home Health Care

Since 1906, VNA of Erie County has been providing professional and compassionate skilled home health care services to home-bound patients in the Erie area. These services augment the institutional care of hospitals and nursing homes, providing a seamless plan of patient care based on the individual’s needs and the physician’s directions. Home health care services are delivered in the comfort of the patient’s residence, anywhere in the Erie County.

LECOM VNA Rehabilitation Therapy can help you or a loved one:

• Increase muscle strength
• Improve mobility
• Restore function
• Adapt to a permanent disability

LECOM VNA Comprehensive Rehab Services include:

• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Therapy

Rehab therapies can help to decrease pain and improve functionality. Therapists will advise on home modification and safety. They can also evaluate and determine home equipment needs, such as wheelchairs, walkers, and adaptive equipment. Therapists can make arrangements to order equipment and provide training and education. Advantages of VNA Rehab Services include evaluation by a licensed therapist, contact within 48 hours of referral, master’s degree prepared therapists, experienced clinical staff, and continuity of care.

Physical Therapy

• Gait training and strengthening
• Balance training
• Home medical equipment training and evaluation
• Pain assessment and treatment
• Transfer and stair training
• Energy conservation
• Fall prevention
• Home Exercise Program planning
• Electrical stimulation therapy
• Ultrasound therapy
• Patient and caregiver education

Occupational Therapy

• Improve independence in bathing, dressing, feeding, and basic household activities
• Upper extremity and hand therapy
• Adaptive equipment
• Balance and endurance training
• Visual deficit training and safety evaluation
• Community re-integration
• Energy conservation
• Home-adaptation/modification
• Restorative certified nurse assistants

Speech Therapy

• Speech articulation
• Swallowing difficulties
• Cognitive function
• Auditory/visual comprehension
• Improve communication ability