Hospice offers in-home care

Art Nadler

Friday, March 29, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Safe Harbor Hospice Inc. has officially opened its doors to families of terminally ill patients.

The 3,000-square-foot facility, located in the Pines Professional Park at 3910 Pecos McLeod Road, Building D, provides hospice services to patients in their own homes. The hospice arranges for physicians, registered nurses, social workers, home health aides, medications, homemakers and pastoral counselors to visit terminally ill patients anytime 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"Hospice isn't just for someone who has two months to live," said Rochelle Lozano, director of admissions. "We take someone who has six months or less to live. The main focus is the family and comfort care for the patient.'

Lozano said the public has a misconception that hospice care is only for cancer patients. People suffering from neurological and lung disease, renal failure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and the ending stages of AIDS can arrange for home care.

Families needn't worry about paying for hospice care, Lozano explained, as it is usually covered by health insurance. Even those who qualify and don't have insurance won't be turned away, she said.

Besides making a patient's remaining days more comfortable, Safe Harbor also provides counseling for family members up to 13 months and sometimes longer after a death, Lozano said at Thursday's grand opening.

She said Safe Harbor decided to come to Las Vegas because 3,000 people last year who needed some sort of hospice care didn't receive it.

Within a year, Safe Harbor also plans to build a 15-bed unit for in-patient care. In the near future, it will be servicing residents in the outlying areas of Mesquite and Overton.

Lozano pointed out that family members or friends can also recommend a person for hospice care. The hospice will evaluate a patient, confer with a physician and decide whether an admittance is necessary.

"We view dying as a natural part of life," Lozano said. "We have a staff of 17 people and three physicians on hand at all times."

To refer a patient to Safe Harbor Hospice, call 435-7660.