After being approved finally on Dec. 9, Shirkey Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is now offering hospital service to the area. Administrator Chris Brown said he is waiting for Medicare Insurance to send in the final part of documents. But they are already providing service to patients.

Formerly, hospice services for Richmond and the surrounding area were offered by hospitals in the Kansas City area, and after Ray County Memorial Hospital closed their hospice program, there was no local choice available.

Hospice is a Medicare Insurance benefit that helps provide assurance for a patient dealing with a terminal illness such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and related dementia, renal failure, neurological diseases – just to name a few. There is a range of diagnosis, but its main stress is offering palliative care which implies comfort care according to Brown. The further held that individuals have reached a point where they cannot change the course of the disease, but want to be kept comfortable.

Hospice will be provided at Shirkey in their rooms, or can also be provided to those who choose to stay at home.

For more information please visit us @ www.medigap4seniors.com, or call us at 888-502-5553 to speak with one of our Medicare experts