Mercy Hospice - 1630 Des Peres
Mercy Hospice Services in St. Louis
Our goal at Mercy Hospice is to provide every patient with the highest quality of life possible. At the heart of hospice and home care is a dedicated interdisciplinary group. Together, we create a warm and compassionate atmosphere where patients can be among family and friends.
Mercy Hospice serves adults with any terminal illness, wherever they may live, including:
- Homes and apartments
- Nursing homes
- Assisted living facilities
- Independent care facilities
Is Hospice for you?
Hospice can help when a terminal illness has been diagnosed, life expectancy is six months or less and cure-oriented treatment is no longer being pursued. Hospice care is appropriate when quality of life is the priority and can help when:
- You and/or your family, desire only comfort measures to be given
- You or your family have noted that you have lost weight and have had a decrease in appetite
- You no longer desire to be hospitalized or treated in the emergency room
- You are not “bouncing back” to your usual level of functioning after repeated illnesses
How We Can Help
We offer many services to comfort the patients and their families. Types of care include:
- Providing volunteers for companionship and family support
- Coordinating nursing care at home through visiting nurses
- Admitting to the hospital for symptom control when ordered by a personal physician
- Providing on-call services to patients and families 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Controlling pain and other symptoms as effectively as medically possible
- Creating and following an individual plan of care
- Helping the patient and family cope with impending death
- Offering spiritual support, as desired by the patient and family
- Our Medical Director coordinates the patient’s care with the attending physician and staff
- Nurses assess and manage pain, provide individualized care and preventive education to reduce medical complications
- Hospice aides work under the supervision of the nurses to assist patients with personal care and homemaking tasks
- Social workers help patients and families cope by giving emotional support and assisting with community resources
- Chaplains offer spiritual support in ways that are familiar and comfortable with each individual and family’s beliefs and religion
- Trained volunteers provide emotional support for patients and families
- Other professionals, such as massage therapists, music therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, dieticians and acupuncturists, provide services upon request
Grief Support
Mercy Hospice offers a bereavement program which is provided for the bereaved for 13 months after the death of their loved one. This service is part of the hospice benefit and is provided at no cost. Services available include:
- Mail & Email- Monthly mail and email correspondence includes newsletters, current information, and announcements about special events and resources.
- Telephone Contact- Staff contact the bereaved at several intervals over the course of the year to assess the impact of the loss and provide emotional support and counseling
- Grief Counseling- Bereavement professionals offer grief counselling visits to those that may benefit from talking about their loss. They educate and encourage the use of coping mechanisms; assist in recognizing, developing, and utilizing support systems; and assist in adjustment to new tasks of daily living.
- Grief Support Groups- Mercy Hospice support groups offer connection and support through being with others who have also experienced a loss of a loved one. Our groups provide a safe and non-judgmental outlet to assist adults with the grieving process. Participation in Mercy Hospice is not required. Get more information and see support group meeting dates and location
- Bereavement Companions- Hospice Volunteers are available to provide comfort and companionship, with a focus on the emotional needs of the bereaved.
- Information & Referral- Bereavement specialists evaluate individual needs, and provide information and referral to resources as needed.
Make a difference in the lives of others.
Service areas include Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, St. Louis County, St. Louis City & Warren.