Integrity Hospice and Palliative Care Awarded CHAP Accreditation

For Immediate Release: SPRINGFIELD, MO, April 26, 2012

Community Health Accreditation Program, Inc., (CHAP) announced today that Integrity Hospice and Palliative Care has been awarded CHAP accreditation under the CHAP Hospice and Palliative Care Standards of Excellence. This is the first year of a three year CHAP accreditation that has been awarded to Integrity Hospice and Palliative Care.

CHAP accreditation demonstrates that Integrity Hospice and Palliative Care meets the industry’s highest nationally recognized standards. Rigorous evaluation by CHAP focuses on structure and function, quality of services and products, human and financial resources, and long term viability. Through CHAP accreditation, Integrity Hospice and Palliative Care is also certified as a Medicare provider.

“We are very pleased that Integrity Hospice and Palliative Care chose CHAP accreditation, “ said Terry A. Duncombe, CHAP President and CEO. “Voluntarily selecting to achieve CHAP accreditation and meeting our high standards of excellence demonstrates Integrity Hospice and Palliative Care’s commitment to quality. CHAP is delighted to work with their entire team through the ongoing process of quality improvement.”

Integrity Hospice and Palliative Care provides a variety of services to patients and their families in Springfield, Mo and the surrounding counties. Our service area includes:

• 
  Christian County, MO


• 
  Dade County, MO


• 
  Dallas County, MO


• 
  Greene County, MO


• 
  Lawrence County, MO


• 
  Polk County, MO


• 
  Webster County, MO

CHAP is an independent, not-for-profit, accrediting body for community-based health care organizations. Created in 1965, CHAP was the first to recognize the need and value for accreditation in community-based care. CHAP is the oldest national, community-based accrediting body with more than 5,000 agencies currently accredited nationwide. Through “deeming authority” granted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), CHAP has the regulatory authority to survey agencies providing home health, hospice, and home medical equipment services, to determine if they meet the Medicare Conditions of Participation and CMS Quality Standards. CHAP’s purpose is to define and advance the highest standards of community-based care.

For more information about the CHAP accreditation process, please visit the CHAP Website at www.chapinc.org. For additional information on CHAP, please contact Michael Grogan, Director of Business Development, at 202.862.3413 or mgrogan@chapinc.org.

For additional information, contact Integrity Hospice and Palliative Care at 417.889.9773 or 888.793.1795.

How Important is Alzheimer’s Care?

Life sometimes throws us a curve ball from time to time. Sometimes we swing and hit. Sometimes we swing and miss. Alzheimer and Dementia are two of those curve balls we can swing at, but very seldom hit. Some days are better than others, but those days fade over time. Seniors who suffer from either of these ailments require special daily attention.



Those who have loved ones who suffer from either of these aliments know not every day is a bad day and not every day is a good day. Seniors and their caregivers who are diagnoses with Alzheimer’s know life does not change over night. For many years life is as full and as promising as ever, but, slowly, over time, abilities begin to wane. The things in life that once came so easy can become a large hurdle; causing frustration, depression and even aggression. As Alzheimer’s progresses it is necessary to have someone there who can give caring attention. During these times home care offers a helpful solution.



Alzheimer's, unfortunately, is not a disease saved for the elderly. More and more cases appear every year of people in their fifties and early sixties developing early stages of Alzheimer's. For these families, life is in full swing. It is sometimes difficult to manage things on their own. Care, in these cases is not a full time requirement. Most families manage the condition, but can use a helping hand from time to time.



In-home care allows those who suffer from Alzheimer’s or Dementia the ability to do all the things they love, just with a few additional helping hands to enjoy the day with.



For those who live alone, in-home care can be there daily to help insure that proper care is given and medications are taken. In many cases Alzheimer and Dementia patients are lucky to have a loved one living with them or at least has a loved one at their side daily to attend to their needs. Even in these cases In-home care offers that helping hand. Not just for the patient, but also for the caregiver. Simple errands can be run without the worry of leaving our loved one alone.



Anyone who has had to take care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s knows that it can be just as stressful on the caregiver as it is for the patient.  In-home care is a way that the caregiver can get that much needed break. Professional caregivers can also help us understand the changes taken place and be there to answer questions helps to reduce the stress and worry of what is happening.