When selecting a hospice program, it is important to ask the following questions to assure you are receiving the best possible care and assistance available. Please be sure to specifically ask for Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

How long have you been providing hospice care?
Hospice of Northwest Ohio was the Toledo area's first hospice. Founded in 1981, we are the only local, independent, non-profit agency that dedicates all of its medical resources exclusively to hospice and palliative care.

Are your staff specially trained in end-of-life care?
Hospice of Northwest Ohio has nine physicians and a clinical pharmacist on staff who have special expertise in palliative (comfort) and end-of-life care. Plus, we have more certified hospice nurses than any other area hospice. In fact, because of our recognized expertise in end-of-life care, we work with the University of Toledo Medical Center and other institutions to provide training for medical, pharmacy and nursing students.

How satisfied are your patients and families?
In written surveys, 99% of families give a rating of "very satisfied" to describe their overall experience with Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

How well do you manage pain and other symptoms?
Our pain and symptom management expertise is unmatched in this region. On a scale of 1 to 5, our families give us an average of 4.7 for their satisfaction with pain and symptom control.

Do you have a freestanding inpatient center?
Yes. In fact, we have two! Both are state-of-the-art facilities specially designed to meet the unique needs of patients and their families at the end of life. Our 25-bed Perrysburg Center, and our 24-bed Toledo Center provide beautiful, home-like environments for patients who require close medical monitoring, or whose conditions can no longer be managed at home.

What are your staffing levels?
Our inpatient centers have 1 to 3 staffing ratios and our standard for home hospice care is one nurse for every 10 patients. Our physicians, clinical pharmacist and registered dietitian are very accessible to patients and actually make house calls. Home care nurses generally schedule daytime visits, but additional nursing staff are available around the clock for phone consultations or patient needs that require additional home visits.

Do you offer therapies or other activities that can enhance quality of life?
All patients and families receive support from a specially trained counseling team that provides an integral part of their Hospice care. They also benefit from art, music and massage therapies, and, at our Hospice Centers, resident therapy dogs. In addition, volunteers help patients pursue personal interests.

Do you have ample volunteers to assist patients and families?
With 300 volunteers – most of whom receive more than 24 hours of formal training – we are able to provide a remarkable level of personal assistance to the patients and families we serve.

Do you provide bereavement services for the entire family?
Yes. Hospice of Northwest Ohio is the only organization to provide a comprehensive range of free grief support services to children and teens, as well as adults of all ages.

What is your policy for patients who are unable to pay for services?
Hospice of Northwest Ohio is a not-for-profit United Way agency and receives substantial support from a variety of other community sources, as well. We are pleased to be able to care for everyone who requests our services, regardless of their ability to pay.

Are you Joint Commission accredited?
Hospice of Northwest Ohio is accredited by the Joint Commission. This requires a rigorous review of every aspect of our organization and is achieved only by the most outstanding agencies.

What professional affiliations does your hospice maintain?
Hospice of Northwest Ohio is licensed in Ohio and Michigan, is Medicare and Medicaid certified and Joint Commission accredited. We are members of the Ohio Hospice Organization, Hospice Alliance of Ohio and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.