The state of Washington has approved Wesley Homes Home Health’s certificate of need for hospice care, a program that the King County-based provider of retirement homes and senior services expects will strengthen its continuum of care.

“This is our chance to create a model and philosophy of care that fits the Wesley Homes mission, to take our expertise and passion as dedicated individuals and create a team that best meets the needs and preferences of patients and their loved ones,” said Melinda Moore, executive director of Wesley Homes Home Health.

Currently, Wesley Homes clients and their families have to contract with another agency when hospice care becomes necessary.

Wesley Homes expects to receive licensure from the state this fall. The organization will then be able to serve private pay clients and will submit an application for Medicare and Medicaid certifications.

“Being Medicare-certified for hospice is the piece of our continuum of care that we don’t have right now,” said Moore. “It’s a part of our mission that we’ve had to hand over to other hospice providers. That’s not the smooth transition to end of life that everyone is entitled to have. Hospice care from us will simplify the process for families and improve each client’s experience. Communication is just with Wesley Homes and not with several different agencies.”

Receiving the certificate of need is just the first of a multi-step plan to become Medicare-certified for hospice, Moore n oted. The next step will be to create the actual hospice program, which includes setting up offices, staffing, and establishing policies and procedures.

Established in 1944 and affiliated with the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church, Wesley Homes operates two retirement communities and a Medicare and Medicaid-certified home health agency — Wesley Homes Des Moines, Wesley Homes Lea Hill in Auburn and Wesley Homes Home Health.

The not-for-profit organization also is developing a new community that’s planned for Puyallup. Groundbreaking for Wesley Homes Bradley Park is planned for this fall.