01
Registered nurse case manager
One nurse who knows your family, visits on schedule and gives you her direct line.
Medicare
Hospice · Tahlequah & the Illinois River country
Walk them home, the way they walked with you.
Hospice nurses, aides, chaplains and social workers who drive the hollows and river roads of five counties, so the last season can be lived at home, among family, on familiar ground.
- 2003serving the Illinois River country
- 5counties, every road
- 24/7a hospice nurse answers
How we work
Comfort, honesty and a good long visit.
In this part of Oklahoma, families take care of their elders, often several generations under one roof or on the same few acres. Hospice doesn't replace that. It stands behind it with nursing skill, medicines, equipment and someone to call in the middle of the night.
Our nurses sit down when they come in. They ask about the garden and the grandkids before they ask about pain. Then they make a plan that fits the way your family already lives.
— Sandra Hummingbird, RN, Executive Director
Where we put our effort
What families notice first
02
Nurse on call, all night
A nurse answers every call and drives out when a call isn't enough.
24/7
03
Bereavement support
Calls, letters, home visits and a grief group on Monday evenings.
13 monthsPhoto tour
Ordinary, precious days
Our team
The people who come to the house
Sandra Hummingbird, RN
Executive Director
Dr. James Whitekiller
Hospice Medical Director
Rachel Ortiz, RN
Director of Nursing
Rev. Daniel Swimmer
Chaplain
Sample family reviews
From families we've served
Mary braided Grandma's hair every Tuesday and Friday and spoke Cherokee with her. Grandma would sing to her. It's how I want to remember those months.
We live way out past Welling on a dirt road. The nurse found us in the dark at 1 a.m. without one complaint.
Kelly sorted out Medicare, the Cherokee Nation clinic and Dad's VA benefits in one week. I had been on hold for a month.
Dr. Whitekiller sat at our kitchen table and drew us a picture of what was happening. We finally understood.
Our volunteer took Mama out to the porch every afternoon to watch the hummingbirds. She looked forward to it all day.
Rev. Swimmer prayed with Dad in Cherokee the night before he passed. Dad squeezed his hand the whole time.
The Monday grief group got me through the first winter. They still call me on his birthday.
For families
For the family caregiver
You're doing the hardest work. Here's what we do for you.
- 01
A nurse, any hour
Day or night, a hospice nurse answers and comes out if needed.
- 02
Everything written down
Medicines, visit days and phone numbers in a folder on the kitchen table.
- 03
Time to rest
Volunteers for a few hours, respite stays for a few nights.
- 04
Ready for what comes
Our nurses gently explain the changes near the end, ahead of time.
Insurance & payment
Paying for hospice
Most families owe nothing for hospice care. Our business office checks every plan before care begins.
Medicare
The Medicare hospice benefit covers the care team, medicines, supplies and equipment for the hospice diagnosis, usually with no cost to the family.
SoonerCare
Oklahoma Medicaid covers hospice. If your loved one lives in a nursing home on SoonerCare, room and board continues to be covered.
Tribal and IHS coverage
We coordinate with Indian Health Service and tribal health clinics so care stays connected.
VA benefits
Veterans enrolled in VA health care are eligible for hospice; we work with the VA on your behalf.
Private insurance
Most employer and marketplace plans include hospice. We'll verify yours.
- 2003serving the Illinois River country
- 5counties, every road
- 24/7a hospice nurse answers
- 13 mo.of grief support afterward
Where we care
Hospice comes to them
Wherever someone calls home, the hospice team and the Medicare benefit follow.
01
At home
Most patients stay in their own bed, on their own land. We bring the equipment, medicines and team.
- Equipment delivered
- Nurse visits on schedule
- 24/7 phone line
02
With family
Many elders move in with a son or daughter. We care for them there and teach the whole household.
- Family training
- Volunteer relief
- Same benefit
03
In assisted living
We add hospice nursing, aide visits, chaplain and social work to the care already in place.
- Works with staff
- Family meetings
- Same hospice team
04
In a nursing home
Our team joins the nursing home staff to focus on comfort. Room and board is billed separately.
- Comfort-focused plan
- Aide and nurse visits
- Family support
Ratings & recognition · sample
- Readers’ Choice · Best Senior Care
- Community Choice Awards · Winner
- Regional Business Journal · Top Workplaces
- County Chamber · Small Business of the Year
- Family Caregiver Alliance · Partner
Contact
On South Muskogee Avenue
- 502 S Muskogee Avenue
Tahlequah, OK
Park in our lot off Muskogee Avenue; the front walk is level and the door is wide enough for any wheelchair. - (918) 555-0193
- Text us
- care@illinoisriverhospice.example
- Illinois River Hospice
Reaching us
- Office, Mon – Fri8a – 5p
- Hospice nurse on callEvery hour, every day
- Admissions7 days a week
Day or night, the same number reaches a hospice nurse. After 5 p.m. it rings straight to the nurse on call.
Let us carry some of it.
Call or text with any question. A hospice nurse will answer, and nothing happens until you're ready.