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Hospice Touch & Serenity House

Mission Statement:

The mission of Hospice Touch is to provide physical, emotional and spiritual care and support to families and individuals who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness for which cure is no longer indicated.  Hospice care neither hastens nor postpones death, but affirms life. Comprehensive symptom control is emphasized to allow the individual to live each day as fully as possible.

Hospice Philosophy:

Hospice Touch believes every dying individual should have access to quality, patient-centered hospice care to provide support during terminal illness and the dying process regardless of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, handicap, disease entity, or ability to pay.

Hospice Touch believes the best way to provide this care and support to the dying patient is through a highly trained multi-disciplinary team consisting of any or all of the following determined by patient need: Physician, Registered Nurse, Social Worker, Clergy, Nursing Assistant, Trained Volunteers, Dietician and Physical, Occupational, or Speech Therapists.

The Hospice Touch Team recognizes each person as a unique individual and attempts to maintain each patient’s self respect and identity as well as life philosophy and lifestyle throughout the illness.  We recognize the patient/family unit as the most important factor driving the Team, actively participating in the plan of care to meet goals and achieve optimal physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort.

Population Served:

Hospice Touch may admit any terminally ill adult (16-65yr.) or geriatric (65 + yr.) who meets the admission criteria and desires hospice services.

Service Area:

Hospice Touch provides care in the home within a 30-40 mile radius from Tomah and Mauston to include parts of the following counties: Monroe, Jackson, Juneau, Adams, Sauk and Vernon.  Our Offices are at Tomah and Mauston:

Hospice Touch
Tomah Memorial Hospital
321 Butts Avenue
Tomah, WI 54660

608 372 2181

Hospice Touch
Mile Bluff Medical Center
1050 Division St.
Mauston, WI 53940

608 847 6161 x 4649

Hospice Touch has a contract with the following hospitals for hospice acute and respite inpatient care:

• Adams Memorial Hospital, Friendship, Wisconsin
• Mile Bluff Medical Center, Mauston, Wisconsin
• Tomah Memorial Hospital, Tomah, Wisconsin

Hospice Touch also offers Serenity House, a four-bed hospice residence in Tomah, Wisconsin as a home for hospice clients who, for whatever reason, can no longer stay in their own home.

Hospice Services Provided:

• Service of the Hospice team, which consists of family physician, Hospice Medical Director, nurses and home health aids, Social Worker, Chaplain, and trained volunteers.
• Dietary counseling, PT, OT and Speech Therapies.
• The team supports the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and family.
• The patient and family are the center of care, which emphasizes control of pain and symptoms.
• Medication and equipment related to the illness are provided.
• 24-hour on call nursing help is available.
• Continuous home care during periods of crisis.
• Hospice ensures continuity of care whether home, hospital or Hospice residence.
• Bereavement service is provided after death with regular contacts for one year and referrals as needed

Criteria for Admission:

1. Life expectancy of weeks to months (six months or less for Medicare criteria).

2. No longer receiving treatment for cure of disease; desired comfort measures.

3. Diagnosis to include, but not limited to the following diagnosis: Cancer, lung disease, kidney failure, heart disease, AIDS, Alzheimer's, dementia, ALS.

4. Physician referral and medical orders.

What is the Cost?

Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance usually covers hospice services. The Hospice Touch is a program of Tomah Memorial Hospital, a non-profit organization. No one is refused service due to inability to pay. The Hospice Program accepts donations to fund its services.

Serenity House of Hospice Touch…is a four-bed residence for persons enrolled in the hospice program. Although hospice care is most frequently provided in a person’s own home, at times this is not possible.

Serenity House…can be home for hospice patients who, for whatever reason, can no longer remain in their own home.

Serenity House…offers a private room with shared bathroom and 24-hour/day care by a certified nursing assistant who will help with personal cares, medications and meals.

Serenity House…Each room is individually decorated. The house has a beautiful view of Lake Tomah. The landscaped grounds and decks on the back of the house offer outdoor space.

The hospice staff including registered nurses, social worker, chaplain and volunteers make regular visits, as they would if the resident were at home.

Volunteers provide extra support and care. Family and friends are welcome at any time, and they may cook food and participate in the patient's day as much as they would like. A recliner chair is available if a family member is needed to spend the night.

For more information call Hospice Touch at Mile Bluff Medical Center, 608 847 6161 x 4649 or Tomah Memorial Hospital, 608 372 2181

Mile Bluff Medical Center/ 1050 Division St./ Mauston, WI 53948 / 608 847 6161

Mile Bluff Medical Center, 1050 Division Street, Mauston, WI 53948

608 847 6161 or Toll free in WI at 800 252 4377

© 2008 Mile Bluff Medical Center