Hospice Care in Piatt County

Kirby Medical Center’s End of Life Services

When you or a loved one needs assistance managing a life-limiting illness, Kirby Medical Center provides
compassionate care during a difficult time by partnering with area hospice agencies.

Hospice services assist with terminal illnesses, including:

• Heart failure
• Stroke
• Cancer
• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease

Our staff of professionals supports the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of our hospice patients and their families. Hospice care focuses on comfort and quality instead of a cure and provides a comfortable living environment for a patient’s remaining time as part of our personalized care plan.

Coping with Grief

It is not easy committing your loved one to a hospice for end of life care. Remember that you are doing what’s best for them, as the round-the-clock care from medical professionals they receive will prove far better at improving their quality of life than trying to facilitate it yourself between a busy schedule. Nonetheless, accepting the reality of the situation can be difficult. Feeling helpless in these situations is often a frustrating experience.

There are numerous ways to cope with your grief. Ultimately your goal is to accept the situation and come to terms with it. You are not the first to struggle with these feelings; others have dealt with similar situations and recovered, and so can you. One thing you can do is take the time to make your final goodbyes. This is an opportunity not everyone has, and even if it appears that they cannot hear you or can’t comprehend what you are saying, unburdening these feelings will be beneficial for both you and the patient.

Speak with the hospice staff about nearby grief counseling services. These medical professionals help people like you every day and should have referrals or advice on ways other people have coped.