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 such as cancer, emphysema, Alzheimer's, congestive heart failure and AIDS.

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

Support Blue is different from other home health care programs. In addition to working with your physician to coordinate the medical care you need, Support Blue offers many support services for you and your family members.

With Support Blue, you will continue to work with your physician to obtain needed care. The program simply makes additional support services available to you, and assists your physician in coordinating the care you need. Once a team of caregivers is established for you, you will continue with that team throughout the course of your illness.

Covered Services

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

Support Services

• Education about your illness, what to expect during therapy or if the disease progresses, and how to cope with limitations
• Training for family members or friends in caring for you at home
• Coordination of community services needed to support you 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 counseling
• A pastoral care chaplain who can provide spiritual counseling
• Individual and family counseling, including referrals for bereavement

Medical Services

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

As a Community Blue member, you are covered for any services that are coordinated through Support Blue. You 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.

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