Support Blue

A specialized home care program for people with serious illness and their loved ones.

The Support Blue Program

Support Blue is a health care program that provides comprehensive physical, emotional, spiritual and practical care to people with serious illnesses who may not be appropriate for Hospice care.

The focus of Support Blue is to provide skilled care and therapy while helping patients maintain their quality of life. Support Blue is designed to help seriously ill people maintain their independence, preserve their right of choise, foster hopefulness and live each day as completely as possible.

Support Blue is different from other home health care programs. In addition to coordinating needed medical care for the patient, Support Blue offers many psychosocial programs to benefit the patient and his or her family.

The program enables patients and families to continue with the same team of caregivers throughout the course of the illness. More importantly, the physician in caring for the patients and coordinating needed medical and emotional care.

Eligibility

To be referred to Support Blue, patients should meet the following criteria:

• The patient has been diagnosed with a "life-limiting" illness. Examples include malignant disease, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic neurologic conditions, including dementia
• Clinical evidence indicating the patient may be entering the final stages of the life-limiting or chronic illness

Services

Support Blue team members combine their knowledge and expertise to develop individualized care plans which address the medical, social, psychological and spiritual needs of patients and their loved ones. The plan of care may include any or all of the following:

Support Services

• Education about the illness, what to expect during therapy or if the disease progresses, and how to cope with limitations
• Training for family members or friends in the care of the patient at home
• Coordination of community services needed to support the patient at home
• Personal care by an assigned home health aide
• Support groups
• Volunteers who can be assigned as needed or requested
• Social workers for psychosocial assistance
• A pastoral care chaplain who can provide spiritual counseling
• Individual and family counseling, including referrals for bereavement

Medical Services

• Continuity of care throughout the patient's episode of illness
• Home visits by an assigned primary registered nurse
• Home care consultation visit by a palliative care physician when or if requested by the treating physician
• Rehabilitative services by physical, occupational and speech therapists
• Intravenous therapy including chemotherapy, antibiotics, hydration and tube feedings

Coverage

With Support Blue, physicians continue to provide patients with aggressive care and bill Community blue for these services. Services coordinated through Support Blue are covered for Community Blue members. Patients may be responsible for a copayment for some services.

For More Information

To learn more about Support Blue or to find out if you're eligible for the program, please talk to your physician or call Community Blue's Case Management Area at (716) 887-8422.

Support Blue is a joint venture between Community Blue and The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, providing comprehensive specialized home care for seriously ill people and their loved ones. This program provides enhanced services and home-based strategies to prevent, manage and treat both the physical and psychological symptoms of illness.

Support Blue enables patients to avoid unnecessary hospitalization and to remain in the comfort, convenience and privacy fo their own home. In addition, it is designed to help patients maintain their independence, preserve their right of choice, foster hopefulness and help them live each day as completely as possible.