Skiff Hospice

Skiff Hospice provides a special way of caring for terminally ill people and their families. A service of Skiff Medical Center, hospice provides care in a person's home, nursing home or assisted living facility. When inpatient or respite care is needed, Skiff Hospice's six-bed inpatient unit, the Monarch Wing, can be utilized.  The Monarch Wing provides a comfortable, home-like surrounding, with a living room, sunroom, kitchen, reflection room and terrace. Each private room has a sitting area, private bathroom and a sofa bed for a family member who wishes to stay overnight with the patient.

Hospice offers care that:

• Treats the physical, emotional, psychosocial and spiritual needs of the patient
• Takes place in the patient’s home or in a home-like setting
• Focuses on making the patient as comfortable and pain-free as possible
• Helps family members cope with the physical and emotional demands placed on them
• Helps patients live as fully and comfortably as possible, until death comes peacefully and naturally

Anyone who has been diagnosed with an advanced terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less is eligible for hospice care. All we ask is that the patient be in agreement that the care is right for them. Referrals may be made by any interested person.

A team of professionals

Hospice is able to provide care through a coordinated effort by a team of professionals and trained volunteers. While the family physician remains in charge of physical care, other members of the hospice team provide vital care. These professionals include:

• Nurses who visit the patient as often as necessary
• Social workers who provide support and help the patient and family cope with the emotional stresses and other concerns of illness
• Home care aides who help with the patient’s personal care and household chores
• A chaplain who gives spiritual assistance when needed
• Volunteers who provide respite, companionship and support

Always affordable, always available

Patients and their families are never charged for hospice services provided in their homes. Thankfully, we are able to provide this service because of generous community support and the work of volunteers.

Skiff Hospice is a Medicare-certified, non-profit agency. Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance companies have a hospice benefit. No one is ever denied service because of lack of insurance.

Contact us

To learn more, call (641) 787-3074, send an e-mail to Christy Coffelt, Hospice Team Lead, at ccoffelt@skiffmed.com or write to us at Skiff Hospice, P.O. Box 962, Newton, IA 50208. Hospice staff will be happy to answer any questions you have.