Ohio's Hospice Not-for-Profit Collaboration Now Provides End-of-Life Care in 29 Ohio Counties

DAYTON and SPRINGFIELD, Ohio, Sept. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Community Mercy Hospice is the newest collaborator in the Ohio's Hospice family. This strategic group is committed to sustaining not-for-profit, community-based hospice care in Ohio.

As recently as 15 years ago, the majority of hospice care in the United States was provided by not-for-profit, community-based hospices. Today 65% of all hospice providers are for profit.

Community Mercy Hospice, a program of Community Mercy Health Partners in Springfield, is a not-for-profit hospice that will now be operated by Ohio's Hospice of Dayton.

"We are excited about collaborating with Ohio's Hospice," said Marianne Potina, CMHP Vice President of Mission Integration. "The Ohio's Hospice mission to provide superior quality hospice care to patients and families regardless of ability pay is consistent with our mission. That will not change. Donations, memorial gifts and fundraising dollars will stay here in our community."

Ohio's Hospice was established in 2013 as a collaboration to ensure the long-term success of a shared mission of serving more patients and their families with even higher levels of hospice care. Also involved in the effort are Hospice of Dayton, Hospice of Miami County, Hospice of Butler & Warren Counties, Hospice of Central Ohio and Community Care Hospice.

Together these providers deliver:

• More direct care to patients than any other regional hospice provider; together they serve more than 8,300 patients annually.
• More resources for patients and their families, like respiratory therapy, massage, occupational therapy, grief support services and art therapy; they have nearly 900 employees in 29 counties.
• More support by serving patients in every care setting, including extended care facilities, assisted living facilities, hospice houses and hospital in-patient settings.

"With decreasing reimbursements and increasing administrative costs, it makes sense to join forces with other not-for-profit hospices to be able to provide excellent quality care to the hospice patients in our community," said Potina. "With support from Ohio Hospice, we can offer more services and resources to local hospice patients, families and referral sources."

"Each local collaboration is strengthened by sharing resources," said Kent Anderson, President and CEO of Ohio's Hospice. "As not-for-profit providers, more of our organization's revenue goes directly into providing superior care and superior services for patients and families rather than to shareholders. By expanding our collaboration, we continue to grow, protect jobs and maintain strong relationships with local partners."

CONTACT: Craig Schrolucke, (937) 781-1319, [email protected]

SOURCE Ohio's Hospice