Memorial Health System
ABILENE - Knowing when to ask for help can be one of the most difficult decisions families face. Through its Right Time. Right Care. campaign, Home Health & Hospice of Dickinson County is helping educate patients and caregivers about recognizing when additional support may improve health, comfort and quality of life.
When someone you love is living with a chronic illness, recovering from surgery or experiencing a general decline in health, it can be difficult to know when to ask for extra help and where to turn to receive the quality care your loved one deserves.
For more than 40 years, Home Health & Hospice of Dickinson County has been a trusted part of the community. As part of Memorial Health System, the nonprofit organization provides compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals throughout Dickinson County and within a 20-mile radius of Herington. Grounded in compassion and local hearts, the staff members are more than health care professionals. They are friends, neighbors and fellow community members committed to helping patients receive the right care at the right time.
"We hear it all the time: 'Is it too soon?' 'I think I can manage on my own.' 'I'm not ready,'" said Melissa Peterson, RN, of Home Health & Hospice of Dickinson County. "Our Right Time. Right Care. campaign is designed to help families understand that asking questions early doesn't mean you're giving up. It means you're making informed decisions and ensuring your loved one receives the care they need when they need it."
Home health services are often appropriate following a hospitalization or surgery, or for individuals managing chronic illnesses that require skilled nursing care, medication education or rehabilitation services. Home Health & Hospice of Dickinson County also offers physical, occupational and speech therapy, medical social services and home health aide support. By bringing care directly into the home, patients can recover in familiar surroundings while reducing the stress and burden often placed on family caregivers.
Sometimes, families begin to notice a different pattern: more frequent falls, repeated trips to the emergency room, recurring hospitalizations, or chronic illnesses that are no longer responding to treatment. These changes may signal an opportunity to learn more about hospice eligibility and the support hospice can provide. Starting the conversation early allows families time to explore their options, ask questions, and make informed decisions before a crisis occurs.
"Hospice is a word that often brings fear and uncertainty," Peterson said. "To us, hospice means support. It means having a team that advocates for both the patient and family while focusing on comfort, dignity and quality of life. Hospice isn't about giving up, it's about making the most of the time that remains, whether that time is measured in weeks, months or even years."
Hospice services include expert symptom and pain management, emotional and spiritual support, respite care for caregivers with an amazing team of trained hospice volunteers and bereavement services for families. The interdisciplinary team works closely with patients, loved ones and physicians to ensure care reflects each patient's goals and wishes.
The message behind Right Time. Right Care. is simple: choosing the appropriate level of care at the appropriate time can make a meaningful difference for both patients and their families.
"If you're unsure whether home health or hospice services may be right for your loved one, don't wait," said Peterson. "Our experienced clinical team is here to answer questions, provide evaluations and help guide families through their options every step of the way."
For more information about Home Health & Hospice of Dickinson County or to learn more, call (785) 263-6630 or click here.