Perhaps nothing is more challenging than making end-of-life decisions for yourself or for someone you care about. These are deeply personal decisions that require careful thought and guidance. You do not have to approach it alone. We are here to help with dignified, compassionate, and highly skilled care for you and education and assistance for your caregivers, family, and friends.
The staff at Upland Hills Health Hospice is highly experienced in providing exceptional care to patients of all ages who are diagnosed with advanced illnesses or injuries. We start by listening to and understanding your priorities. From there, we develop a personalized plan that follows your wishes and those of your family members enabling the best possible quality of life.
We understand the special needs that you or your family have during this time. The level of care that is given is determined by the patient, or if they are unable to communicate directly, by the caregiver or family members. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You are never alone. When you need us, we are available in person or on the phone.
You always remain in control of all decisions. We respect your wishes. We want to help make every moment the best it can be for you.
You can call us at 608-930-8000 or send us a message.
Our goal is to support and provide care to patients in the setting of their choice, whether that is in their own home, nursing home or in an assisted living facility. We serve all of Iowa County and portions of Dane, Grant, Lafayette, Richland and Sauk counties
A person who has an estimated life expectancy of six months or less meets the criteria for hospice. This is determined by both a person’s primary care provider and confirmed with a medical record review by the hospital enrollment team.
We start by listening. We want to learn what is important to you. As you describe what you or your caregivers are experiencing, we develop a care plan. Our goal is to provide comfort and support to both you and those who care about you.
The Upland Hills Health Hospice team is staffed by physicians, social workers, pharmacists, therapists and palliative nurses and nurse assistants certified in hospice care by the Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses and Nursing Assistants Association.
We provide:
Indicators of limited life expectancy vary but in addition to significant medical events and personal choices to discontinue curative medical care, those with chronic health issues or advanced age may have more subtle signs. Examples include an increasing number of emergency room visits, hospitalizations, unplanned weight loss, the need for increasing amounts of supplemental oxygen, and/or recurring pneumonia or bladder infections.
An Upland Hills Health hospice nurse can do an in-person hospice information visit at no cost, or we can answer your questions over the phone. Please call us at 608-930-7210. Earlier enrollment in hospice improves end-stage quality of life, increases the control of symptoms and pain, and reduces physical and emotional distress for both the patient and for their loved ones.
Hospice care is beneficial because it can control symptoms and ease pain, but it has also been shown to significantly reduce end-of-life costs for both patients and insurers. Recognizing the value of hospice, most insurances, whether private, Medicare or Medicaid, have a hospice benefit that requires little to no out-of-pocket costs to enrollees or subscribers.
Upland Hills Health Hospice in Dodgeville has again been recognized as a five-star organization by the Medicare program, ranking it among the very best in the country. Fewer than 11 percent of the 2,060 hospices in the United States achieve the five-star status. In the most recent reporting period, only five hospices in Wisconsin earned a five-star, or excellent, rating. Upland Hills is the only hospice in Southwest Wisconsin to receive the top rating.
During November the home care and hospice community honors the millions of nurses, home care aides, therapists, and social workers who make a remarkable difference for the patients and families they serve. These heroic caregivers play a significant role in our health care system and in homes across the nation. To recognize their efforts, we call upon all Americans to commemorate the power of caring, both at the home and in their local communities and join with Upland Hills Health and the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) by celebrating November as National Home Care & Hospice Month.
It’s an all too common situation. A family is at the bedside of a loved one who is seriously ill and nearing the end of life. Each member of the family has a different idea of what should be done and what the patient would have wanted.
We are a non-profit hospice that provides high-quality, individualized medical and spiritual care during the last chapter of life to our patients and their families. Every staff member is familiar with each of our patients, which allows us to provide safe, consistent and personalized care.
Works closely with community clergy to provide spiritual guidance and support as requested
Provides nutritional counseling to help patients build strength
Provides supportive counseling to patients and families to help them come to terms with the dying process and grief issues
“From the moment your nurses entered the house, we felt loved and nurtured as well as hugely relieved. You all helped with the education given and the instruction on how to give the best comfort care. All in all, we are so thankful that during this difficult time, you were there. The supplies offered the medications needed and just the way you took over the little stuff that seemed so big at the time. Proof that Hospice and Upland Hills Health are top-notch.”
