Services we Provide

Hospice care treats the person and symptoms of the disease, rather than treating the disease itself. A team of professionals work together to manage symptoms so that a person’s last days may be spent with dignity and quality, surrounded by their loved ones. Hospice care is also family-centered – it includes the patient and the family in making decisions. For patients receiving hospice care, the hospice nurses make regular visits and are always available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hospice services are provided to individuals in many care settings. Services are provided where a patient lives, which may be their private residence or that of a loved one, an assisted living center, nursing home, or in some cases, in a hospital. When hospice care becomes the treatment of choice, there is a shift from curative to supportive care measures. The goal is to keep the individual comfortable and make their remaining time as meaningful as possible.

Hospice Care at Home

  • Time and services of the care team, including visits to the patient’s location by the hospice physician, nurse, medical social worker, home health aide, and chaplain/spiritual adviser

  • Medication for symptom control, including pain relief

  • Medical equipment like a hospital bed, wheelchairs or walkers, and medical supplies such as oxygen, bandages, and catheters

  • Dietary counseling*

Hospice Care at Home

  • Any other medical services needed to manage pain and other symptoms related to the terminal illness, as recommended by the hospice team

  • Short-term inpatient care (e.g. when adequate pain and symptom management cannot be achieved in the home setting)

  • Short-term respite care for family caregivers (e.g. temporary relief from caregiving to avoid or address “caregiver burnout”)

  • Grief and loss counseling for the patient and loved ones, who may experience anticipatory grief. Grief counseling is provided to family members for up to 13 months after a death.

*Access to these services is determined on a case-by-case basis depending on assessment of the hospice team, goals of care as established by the hospice team, and disease progression and symptom burden.

Home Care and Inpatient Hospice Care

Although most hospice care is centered in the home, extended-care facility, or an inpatient hospice center. Your home hospice team can arrange for inpatient care and will stay involved in your care and with your family. You can go back to in-home care when you and your family are ready.

Spiritual Care

Since people differ in their spiritual needs and religious beliefs, spiritual care is set up to meet your specific needs. It might include helping you look at what death means to you, helping you say good-bye, or helping with a certain religious ceremony or ritual.

Family Meetings

Regularly scheduled meetings, often led by the hospice nurse or social worker, keep family members informed about your condition and what to expect. These meetings also give everyone a chance to share feelings, talk about what’s happening and what’s needed, and learn about death and the process of dying. Family members can get great support and stress relief through these meetings. Daily updates may also be given informally as the nurse or nursing assistant talks with you and your caregivers during routine visits.

Coordination of Care

The hospice team coordinates and supervises all care 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. This team is responsible for making sure that all involved services share information. This may include the inpatient facility, the doctor, and other community professionals, such as pharmacists, clergy, and funeral directors. You and your caregivers are encouraged to contact your hospice team if you’re having a problem, any time of the day or night. There’s always someone on call to help you with whatever may arise. Hospice care assures you and your family that you are not alone and can get help at any time.

Respite Care

For patients being cared for at home, some hospice services offer respite care to allow friends and family some time away from caregiving. Respite care can be given in up to 5-day periods of time, during which the person with cancer is cared for either in the hospice facility or in beds that are set aside in nursing homes or hospitals. Families can plan a mini-vacation, go to special events, or simply get much-needed rest at home while you’re cared for in an inpatient setting.

Bereavement Care

Bereavement is the period of mourning after a loss. The hospice care team works with surviving loved ones to help them through the grieving process. A trained volunteer, clergy member, or professional counselor provides support to survivors through visits, phone calls, and/or other contact, as well as through support groups. The hospice team can refer family members and caregiving friends to other medical or professional care if needed. Bereavement services are often provided for about a year after the patient’s death.

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