Hospice and Palliative Care
Lower Columbia Hospice & Palliative Care helps families navigate terminal illness or the end stage of life.
We understand that the end of life is about so much more than the logistics of physical care. That's why we provide emotional support and companionship for the entire family. We listen to you to learn what you want this time to be like. Then we do our best to make that vision a reality.
Our priority is ensuring quality of life for all of our patients.
Hospice services
Lower Columbia Hospice & Palliative Care is an outreach program of Columbia Memorial Hospital. We serve all of Clatsop County with compassionate, in-home hospice care.
Many people view hospice as something just for the last few weeks of life. But quality hospice care can be an integrated part of your treatment for as long as you need it. We coordinate care with your primary care provider and work together to give you the best quality of life possible.
We bring expert care to you with home visits by nurses and other health professionals — whether home is a private home, a nursing home or another facility. Your hospice team can:
- Manage symptoms and pain.
- Assist with prescribed medical treatments.
- Teach family members how to care for you.
- Obtain medical equipment and supplies.
- Assist with physical, occupational and speech therapy.
- Provide information about insurance, financial aid, in-home health and transportation.
Our team is also on call 24 hours a day for crisis assistance.
Palliative care services
Many people ask what makes palliative care and hospice care different.
There are shared goals between hospice and palliative care. They both aim to minimize symptoms and help improve quality of life for as long as possible.
The main difference is that to qualify for hospice care, a person is no longer seeking treatment for their medical condition and has an estimated prognosis of six months or less.
There are many people who are struggling with symptoms from their illness, or the side effects caused by treating that illness, but they don’t qualify for hospice yet, and they want to continue with their current treatment plan. Our palliative care program can help that group of people.
Our palliative care team works in close collaboration with a person’s referring provider to target their specific needs. The program consists of a nurse practitioner, a social worker and spiritual support from the CMH chaplain. Registered nurses also help as needed for additional support.
Like hospice, the program is community-based. This means we go to each person’s home for visits. In addition to routine visits made at the agreed-upon time, a nurse is available after hours, by phone, for emergent needs. The team is also able to assist people with advance care planning, helping people understand available options and making sure individual goals align with their treatment plan.
Your caring hospice and palliative care team
Hospice and palliative care require caregivers with a special touch. Our nurses are called to this work. They're passionate about supporting patients and families during a difficult time. Our team stays on top of hospice and palliative care research. And we work closely with other care providers. This helps us provide care that is comprehensive and truly multidisciplinary.
Your primary care provider can refer you to hospice or palliative care. Or you can reach out to us at 503.338.6230 to discuss what services are available.
Refer a patient to hospice or palliative care
To refer a patient, call Lower Columbia Hospice & Palliative Care at (503) 338-6230 or fax the referral to (503) 338-6240. You can also fill out an online referral form by clicking the button below.
Refer a patient to hospice or palliative care
Insurance coverage
Medicare and Medicaid both cover hospice care, and most private insurance does, too. Our team will let you know in advance if you will have a co-pay.
We do accept patients to hospice regardless of their ability to pay.
Palliative care is covered by most insurances. The office staff can contact your insurance and find out coverage information.
Grief support
Hospice care continues after loss. We provide a full range of grief support services for families.
It can help to talk to people who are having similar experiences. Our drop-in grief support group meets monthly. Ask for the meeting room at the hospital front desk or click here to look at our Events page for the most up-to-date information.
We also offer a robust eight-week grief support program. This group meets once a week and works through the program together. Our bereavement coordinator can also meet with you one-on-one, if you prefer.
Grief support services are available to everyone in our community. It doesn't matter if your loved one was a hospice or palliative care patient or how long ago the loss happened. We are here for you.
To learn more about grief support services, call 503.338.6230 or email Jeanette Johnson.
Get involved with Lower Columbia Hospice & Palliative Care
Much of what we do is only possible thanks to the support of our community. If you'd like to be involved, we have volunteer opportunities available. See Volunteer Services to get started. Or if you'd like to support hospice and palliative care with a financial gift, please visit the CMH Foundation.