What is the AIM Team?

The AIM Team consists of nurses, nursing assistants, social workers, chaplains, and physicians that are experienced in palliative care. The AIM Team is available to offer PALLIATIVE HOME HEALTH SERVICES to patients wanting the comfort measures of hospice AND continued active treatment.  If the patient and family desire to transfer into St. Joseph Hospice and Palliative Care, the AIM Team makes the transition WITH the patient.

What is the difference between AIM Palliative Home Health and Hospice?

Because AIM Palliative Home Health Service follows the home health model, there may be fewer scheduled visits/week when compared to hospice.  Hospice service also covers the cost of medicines relating to the terminal diagnosis as well as wheelchairs, beds, walkers etc.  Home Health does not cover these costs.  Conversely, under AIM Palliative Home Health Services the patient may seek aggressive treatments to extend life.  AIM patients may seek chemotherapy, radiation, dialysis or other treatments to live longer AND receive palliative care to live more comfortably.  If the patient and family desire for enhanced palliative care, they transition to St. Joseph Hospice and Palliative Care, WITH the AIM Team.

What is the difference between AIM and Home Health?

Remember, AIM is Palliative Home Health Service administered through STAT Home Health.  AIM Palliative Home Health Service is staffed with caregivers that are extensively trained through St. Joseph Hospice and Palliative Care.  These caregivers are available to transition WITH the patients if they elect to seek enhanced palliative care through the hospice model.  AIM Palliative Home Health Services is a division of Stat Home Health.  If and when the AIM Team and patient transitions into hospice, they are part of St. Joseph Hospice and Palliative Care, and no longer part of Stat Home Health.

Is this a new service?

Yes.  AIM Palliative Home Health Service is the first Palliative Home Health Program in Louisiana allowing caregivers to transition WITH the patient into hospice if desired.

Can AIM Palliative Home Health serve nursing home patients?

No.  Home health does not extend coverage into nursing homes.  However, IF the patient transitions into the hospice model of palliative care, the AIM Team may transition WITH the patient into hospice.  Once in hospice, the palliative services are available within the nursing home.  An important benefit to patients is the alternative to nursing homes.  Home health may serve patients in assisted living and independent living.  Often patients are able to delay or avoid nursing home placement with enhanced services of home health and hospice while living at home, assisted living centers or independent living centers.

Who do I call for more information?

Ask your physician, your health care professional or call anyone on the AIM Team - full listing by city here.