Overview:
In 1981, a small group of visionaries met in a Mount Vernon living room and began talking about hospice care, planning for what was to become Hospice of Knox County. After obtaining Medicare and Medicaid certification, we accepted our first patient in 1983 and have grown to over 25 staff members and 70 active volunteers who provide care, support, and education to patients in Knox and surrounding counties.
Hospice of Knox County is the only non-profit, CHAP-accredited hospice in Knox County. Our staff and volunteers have the experience, knowledge, and skills to capably meet your needs. As a result, the Mount Vernon community recognized us with the Chamber of Commerce “Quality of Life Award" in 2003 and their "Heart Award” in 2005 for the services we provide.
In the last few years, the number of patients Hospice of Knox County has cared for have more than doubled. In 1983, when Hospice of Knox County admitted its first patient, cancer was the number one reason for seeking hospice care. While that remains true today, the growth of other diagnoses is significant.
A Community
The American Academy of Bereavement estimates that for every one individual faced with a traumatic life event, 20 other individuals are affected in some way by that trauma. The impact of this is that we have touched over 47,600 individuals since the beginning of Hospice of Knox County.
Hospice care is a personal and intimate experience. Death is difficult and those faced with the reality of a loved one dying have the instinct to pull away emotionally when, more than ever, they need to remain supportive. This is only a portion of what Hospice of Knox County does for those who choose our services. We can and do make a difference in this journey.
Hospice of Knox County is a non-profit organization built by those within our community. Our roots are in volunteerism, which remains a vital part of the heart of Hospice. Hospice of Knox County networks with other area agencies and organizations with the sole purpose of providing the highest quality of care and supportive services to patients and their loved ones. We take a team approach, allowing our patients and loved ones to be linked with resources in the community, while Hospice Of Knox County serves as an advocate on behalf of those individuals affected by end-of-life care issues.
Caring for You
The Hospice philosophy emphasizes holistic care while providing the patient with choice and dignity in the dying process. Our goal is to ensure quality of life. Hospice is a humane and compassionate way to deliver health care and supportive services.
Staff and volunteers live by our mission of providing compassionate, quality care for persons with terminal illnesses. Utilizing a team approach, professional and volunteer staff members serve to enhance quality of life by offering physical, emotional, and spiritual support services to the patients and their loved ones throughout the dying and grieving process.
Hospice of Knox County cares for patients regardless of age, diagnosis, or ability to pay. Medicare and Medicaid reimburse Hospice of Knox County for some of the services, as do some private insurance companies. Donations and fundraisers from our community help to offset additional costs. Our patients WILL NOT receive a bill for services provided by Hospice of Knox County.
Serving Generations to Come
According to the American Hospice Association (AHA), the need for hospice care will continue to rise due to an aging population, an increasing interest and concern about end-of-life care, as well as rising health care costs. In addition, both medical professionals and the general public are choosing hospice care over other forms of health care delivery because of its holistic, patient-family, and in-home-centered philosophy.
The Administration on Aging estimates that by the year 2010, the number of people in the United States who are age 65 and older will increase by 14.9%. The National Center of Health Statistics reports that 81.4% of people receiving hospice care are age 65 and older. Most patients receiving hospice care are elderly – AHA reports 79% are age 65 years and older, which is consistent with Hospice of Knox County’s statistics; 78.6% in the same age category.
