Each member of our hospice team has an important role to play. We make sure that every member of our staff has the same drive and passion as us when it comes to helping our patients get the care that they deserve. Our staff consist of the following:
Primary Care Nurse: You will be assigned a primary care nurse who will coordinate your care with other members of the interdisciplinary group and handle any nursing needs. The role of the nurse is to help prevent and relieve pain and other symptoms, and to teach caregivers ways to provide for your care. The nurse will also make certain that necessary medical supplies and equipment are ordered, and will assist in monitoring medications. Regular communication with your physician will make certain that he/she is aware of your status and that orders are being followed. Your hospice nurse will try to anticipate your needs and assist you to better understand the natural progression of your illness. With this information, you will be encouraged to make decisions regarding your care.
Physician Services: The hospice medical director, physician employees, and contracted physician(s) of the hospice, along with your attending physician are responsible for the palliation and management of your terminal illness and any conditions related to the terminal illness. If your attending physician is not available, the hospice medical director, contracted physician, and/or the hospice physician employee is responsible for meeting your medical needs.
Social Worker: Facing a serious illness can be a time of tremendous pain and confusion for you and your family. Because you must deal with emotions and challenges throughout the time in which the illness is occurring, a social worker may be assigned to help you and your family. Services that may be provided by the social worker include:
- Providing emotional support, counseling, and guidance to the patient and family in coping with stress related to the illness;
- Identifying community resources which are available to help you;
- Assisting the patient and family with planning for funeral arrangements, nursing home placement, etc.; and
- Offering information about Advance Directives.
Hospice Aide/Homemaker: Our hospice aide/homemaker services are provided under the supervision of a registered nurse to patients who have a need for personal care on a part-time basis. Our hospice aides have experience in caring for people in need and have been carefully chosen to provide care for the patients of the hospice. The hospice aide assists with the patient’s personal care which may include bathing, hair care, shaving, skincare, linen changes, catheter care, and straightening the patient’s immediate surroundings. Hospice aides are not allowed to dispense medication. They will report any changes in the condition of the patient to the appropriate team member. The nurse schedules their visits and days may vary to meet the patient’s needs.
Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists: Services are provided by a licensed therapist or licensed therapy assistant under the direction of the therapist. Therapy services may be provided only as reasonable and necessary for symptom control or to enable you to maintain activities of daily living and basic functional skills in accordance with the hospice philosophy. These services must be approved by the Hospice Interdisciplinary Group (IDG), and may not be appropriate for all hospice patients.
Volunteers: A vital part of hospice is the carefully selected and well-trained volunteers working alongside the professional staff. These special people provide many different types of support for the hospice program and those coping with terminal illness, grief, and loss. They are good listeners, nonjudgmental, adaptable, and have a strong desire to reach out with love and concern to others. Volunteers may be used on a regular schedule or an on-call when needed basis.
Spiritual Counselor: Hospice spiritual care is based on a high respect for the patients’ and caregivers’ personal faith and belief. The hospice spiritual counselor is available to assist patients and families cope with the significant spiritual issues that often arise during a terminal illness. The services offered include regular pastoral care visits, being on-call and available for crises, conducting funerals and memorial services as requested, and contacting a patient’s own clergy, pastoral counselor or other individuals for additional support, if desired. be hospice spiritual counselor does not impose his/her personal belief systems or seek to change the beliefs of others.
Dietary Counselor: Dietary counseling may be provided by a dietitian, nurse or other qualified staff members to address and ensure that your dietary needs are met.
Get in Touch with Us
Should you have any questions about our staff, we encourage you to contact us. Our representatives will get back to you as soon as possible. We are looking forward to being in contact with you!