Mercy Hospice provides medical care services to patients with life limiting illness. The organization is a part of Mercy Medical Center, a 910-plus bed acute care, nonprofit Catholic hospital. It accepts referral patients with a life expectancy of six months and less as certified by a physician. It provides medications, supplies, special equipment, inpatient care and additional assistance in the home. The organization provides relief to caregivers who may need a break and time away, assists patients and families with spiritual matters and provides emotional support and explores resources to assist the patient and family in coping with the terminal illness. Its team of caregivers includes physicians, nurses, home health aides, social workers, volunteers, dieticians and rehabilitation therapists. Mercy Hospice is located in Des Moines, Iowa.