November 25, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: DEBORAH ROBERTS PUGH

(662) 377-3712

Visit www.nmhs.net for an electronic version of this release.

NMMC HOSPICE TEAM IMPROVES CONDITIONS

FOR 110-YEAR OLD OKOLONA RESIDENT'S HOME

OKOLONA, Miss.-Volunteers from North Mississippi Medical Center’s Hospice program recently showed they care in a big way to 110-year-old Marie Foster of Okolona.

In celebration of National Home Health and Hospice Month, more than 200 employees and family members from six branch offices organized the North Mississippi Medical Center Home Health Agency and Hospice’s first "We Care Workday" on Nov. 15. Projects for patients with special needs ranged from home improvement projects, such as improving handicap accessibility and roof repairs, to house cleaning and yard work.

Twenty team members from the Hospice program worked on Foster's home. Volunteers repaired tornado damage to her roof, repaired the porch, installed siding and insulation, painted and cleaned throughout the house.

Foster has been receiving hospice care from NMMC since September. Hospice is a specialized program of care that emphasizes the management of pain and other symptoms, including psychological, emotional, social and spiritual, associated with terminal illness. Hospice, which is often less costly than the traditional cycle of hospitalization and home health care typically used by terminally ill patients, is unique because of its holistic approach of caring in the home.

The Hospice staff, which includes chaplains, dietitians, aides, pharmacists, physicians, registered nurses, social workers, therapists and volunteers, strives to help terminally ill patients and their families live each day as fully as possible.

Hospice services are available by physician referral and include nursing care, family counseling, pastoral care for spiritual support, prescription drugs related to terminal illness, medical equipment for comfort, volunteer services and bereavement care for up to 13 months following the patient's death.

The NMMC Home Health Agency Hospice Program provides services in Alcorn, Benton, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Clay, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Lowndes, Monroe, Oktibbeha, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union and Webster counties.

For more information on Hospice services provided by the NMMC Home Health Agency, call (662) 377-3612 or 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375).

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Cutline:

NMMC Hospice staff members and their families assisted 110-year-old patient Marie Foster of Okolona with numerous home repairs during We Care Workday on Nov. 15. Helpers included (front row, from left) Tammy Shelton, Jill Conerly, Beth Loudermilk, Jessica Rodgers, Ann Marie Allen (great niece of Mrs. Foster), (back row, from left) James Richardson, Russell Conerly, Lavon Spann, Jimmie Corrothers, Howard Rogers, Beau Buse, Jennifer Blanchard, Bailey Cunningham, Mary Cunnigham and Cody Cunningham.