Spiritual Care

For some people, a religion, a church community or a personal relationship with God can be a strong source of strength during this time. Others may not find religion to be a source of help. You may want your local clergy, a pastoral counselor or the hospice chaplain to become more involved with your family at this time. The hospice chaplain provides home visits or telephone contact to offer spiritual support to the patient and family.

Social Workers

The hospice social worker provides counseling and support to the patient and family as they try to deal with changes in their roles and relationships. The social worker will request to meet with you and your loved one. The visit is to further explain the services of the hospice team, to listen to what your needs and expectations are, and to help you identify areas of concern, such as caregiving, advance directives and funeral plans, financial, legal, and/or emotional. They act as a liaison between the family and community agencies. The social worker is available for emotional support and counseling throughout your hospice experience.

Volunteers

Hospice volunteers can be provided for additional support to you and your loved one. These volunteers are specially trained to work with dying patients and their families. They can offer emotional and practical support to the patient and family, such as friendly visits, respite care, shopping, or foreign language translation. Respite care allows you, the primary caregiver, a chance to get out of the house without having to worry about the patient. Volunteers can bring much needed assistance and companionship.

Home Health Aides

A home health aide is available to make home visits to provide bathing and personal care to the patient, and can teach you techniques to care for your loved one with dignity. The aide also provides encouragement and emotional support to you and your loved one.

Skilled Nurses

The hospice nurse acts as liaison between you and the physician. The nurse makes home visits to assess the patient’s needs and comfort status, informs you of expected changes in the patient’s condition, and teaches you how to control the distressing symptoms. The nurse will keep the physician updated of your loved one’s status and obtain all orders for medication, medical equipment and supplies. The nurse will offer emotional support to you and your loved one, especially as the disease progresses. The nurse will help you prepare and utilize the services of the other hospice team members, as you need them.

On Call Service

Hospice provides emergency consultation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A nurse is available by phone to help you with a medical concern. The nurse will coordinate the appropriate plan of treatment. The nurse may instruct you by phone how to treat a symptom and/or provide care to your loved one, for example, explain how to administer a medication. If an adequate assessment cannot be made by phone, a visit will be made. Remember, you are not alone.

Hospice is available to provide answers and direction on how best to care for your loved one. Hospice is there to provide support, as this is an unpredictable and emotional time.