Kathy MacDonald, Home Care Nurse & Claire Elliott, Director of Home
Care holding medical supplies.

By KIM NANCE
Business Development Manager, Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice

Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, Inc. was recently awarded a grant from the Kosciusko REMC Operation Round Up Fund, a component fund of the Kosciusko County Community Foundation. The grant will help patients with health and wellness supplies.

Reimbursement reductions in Medicare, Medicaid and private insurances, have decreased the amount we receive for supplies to our patients. Often medical supplies are not covered by the reimbursement and our agency solicits individuals and foundations for grants or donations to cover the shortfall. These supplies are used by our patients (elderly, disabled, premature infants) in improving their health, well-being, and allowing them to live independently at home. There are times when the patient is unable to purchase the supplies and will try to reuse them.

When the patient is unable to afford paying for the supplies, Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice through generous donations from the community will purchase the supplies at no cost for the patient.

KHCH was started by eight local nurses that saw a need for patients to stay at home during recovery and end of life. Kosciusko REMC donated office space for KHCH 39 years ago. KHCH is now located in the K21 Health Pavilion. We are proud and honored to say we provided 16,500 Home Health Care & Hospice medical visits to local resident in 2014. We work hard to provide home care & hospice services to people in our community even when they can’t afford to pay for our services.

Appreciation to the Kosciusko REMC members who “round up” their monthly electric bill to help support the Kosciusko REMC Operation Round Up Fund. The support is impacting local residents in need.