ABOUT HOSPICE CARE
What is hospice care?
Who is eligible for hospice?
Am I ready for hospice?
Hospice care focuses on providing support and comfort care to patients at the end-stage of their lives. The patient and their family are at the center of the care provided by the hospice team, either in their home, nursing facility or hospital. The focus of hospice is to make the best of what is by providing the highest quality of life fo
Hospice care focuses on providing support and comfort care to patients at the end-stage of their lives. The patient and their family are at the center of the care provided by the hospice team, either in their home, nursing facility or hospital. The focus of hospice is to make the best of what is by providing the highest quality of life for whatever time remains. Hospice serves the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of the patient and family.
Am I ready for hospice?
Who is eligible for hospice?
Am I ready for hospice?
End-of-life care can take a toll on both the patient and family/caregiver. The Cottonwood Hospice team can alleviate the care burden while improving quality of life of the patient. Hospice is covered 100% by Medicare, Medicaid, Veteran Affairs and most insurers. You may be ready for hospice if you have had:
- Increased hospitalizations/ER
End-of-life care can take a toll on both the patient and family/caregiver. The Cottonwood Hospice team can alleviate the care burden while improving quality of life of the patient. Hospice is covered 100% by Medicare, Medicaid, Veteran Affairs and most insurers. You may be ready for hospice if you have had:
- Increased hospitalizations/ER visits
- Increased need for pain medications
- Requiring more help with your daily routine
- Worsening of a chronic disease with poor prognosis
- Desire a shift from aggressive interventions to focus on comfort
Who is eligible for hospice?
Who is eligible for hospice?
Who is eligible for hospice?
To qualify for hospice services a patient must:
- Have a terminal diagnosis with life expectancy of six months or less.
- Be under the care of a healthcare provider
- Choose to manage symptoms rather than receive aggressive care.
- Desire hospice services
FAQ's
Why should I choose Cottonwood Hospice over another company?
At Cottonwood Hospice, we recognize end-of-life care is time and labor intensive, and can add a stressful burden to both caregivers and patients. Our nurse to patient and aide to patient ratios are better than the national average, and unmatched in our area. This allows you and your family the attention and time you deserve.
In April, we were named a 2022 Hospice HONORS recipient by HEALTHCAREfirst, a leading provider of billing and coding services, CAHPS surveys and advanced analytics. Hospice Honors is a prestigious program that recognizes hospices providing the highest level of quality as measured from the family/caregiver’s point of view.
What is your ratio of nurses to patients?
Time is the most precious non-renewable resource and we take pride in our nurse to patient ratios. Our current nurse to patient ratio is set at 1:12 and exceeds national average. With more one on one time with our staff, you'll feel more attended to and have less wait time when needing assistance.
Our aide to patient ratio coincides with our standard of care at 1:7.
Who are your owners?
Dr. Steve Paulmeyer and his wife, Anni, along with Katie and Brian Genrich teamed up to form Cottonwood Hospice in 2022.
Dr. Paulmeyer is a well-respected internal medicine physician living and working in Beatrice. Anni (Harmon), a Beatrice native, is a PA at BCH as well. In 2016, the couple moved back to Beatrice to establish their roots, and raise their 4 children. You will see their family at community events and fundraisers, as they have a heart for serving others.
Katie Genrich started as a hospice nurse in 2007 with BCH Hospice, and quickly fell in love with the line of work. "The most incredible part of my job is connection with the patients and families during one of the most difficult and vulnerable parts of their lives. It's truly fulfilling." She and her husband Brian, have a farm just west of Beatrice. The couple's 3 daughters have all moved back around the farm, after recognizing the benefits of raising their families in a small town.
Click here to see their bios.
What ages do you care for?
We care for patients from the first day of life until the last. We are the only hospice provider in our service area caring for pediatric patients.
Do you have a personal relationship with my physician?
We know the trusting relationship you may have formed with your primary care provider, and each patient has the right to choose their attending physician. Our Medical Director and Interdisciplinary Team will work together with your doctor to provide your care. We work well with all local providers to ensure your care is individualized and your wishes are met. You may also choose our Medical Director, Dr. Paulmeyer, as your physician. If you do not have an attending physician, Dr. Paulmeyer is happy to fill that role.
What hospitals do you contract with?
We contract with local hospitals, multiple skilled nursing facilities and assisted living in our communities, such as Beatrice Good Samaritan, Whispering Winds, and Homestead House.
Click the link below to check out a list of all our our incredible partners.
Can I change my mind?
Yes. If you decide you no longer wish to receive hospice services, you simply sign off of services. There is no penalty for signing off.
How quick do you respond to calls?
All of our team members are local and live within the communities we serve. Because of this, you will not have the wait times for assistance as you would if our staff were commuting from larger cities.
Who pays for hospice?
Hospice is covered 100% by Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs, and most insurers. Unlike corporate hospices, we serve patients regardless of ability to pay. In our opinion, finances should not get in the way of one's right to receive great quality hospice care. If you do not have insurance, but qualify and desire hospice care, you can still access our services.