The Care Giving Team consists of a group of professionals who care for patients needs on all levels, medical, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Their purpose is to provide hospitality and keep the patient as pain-free as possible, with loved ones until death. The Hospice team creates a care plan meeting the individual needs of the patients for pain management and symptom control.
The team of Care Givers consists of the following:
Therapist
The attending physician certifies the terminal diagnosis. He/She assesses patient needs, contends with symptoms, and prescribes medication. The physician directs and approves the care plan and coordinates care with the Interdisciplinary team.
The medical director works alongside the Attending Physician to certify the prognosis. He/she oversees the Interdisciplinary team in the development of a patients care plan and acts a resource to other physicians.
Registered nurses evaluate patient and family needs. They formulate a plan of care to nurture identified needs. Nurses are the primary caregivers, who help patients with pain control and management. In addition to their care services, nurses educate patients and family members in the home. These care givers are on call 24 hours/ 7 days a week.
Social Work services provide counseling, guidance and education. They assess patient and family's emotional, social, spiritual and financial necessities. Along with the assessment they develop a plan for care to meet acknowledged needs. Social workers provide direct counseling in order to help patients and loved ones adjust. They give bereavement support as well.
The home health aide gives personal care to the patient such as, bathing, feeding, dressing, etc. in the home. Aides take care of comfort measures and notify RN Case Managers of identified needs.
A spiritual care counselor is available to all patients and family members to provide for their spiritual needs. They develop a care plan for the patient and loved ones. Spiritual care help brings dignity and closure to the end of life journey.
Volunteers may provide companionship and support to the patient and family. They may work directly with the patient and family members through providing aid regarding non-medical needed services which include: respite care, companionship, letter writing, etc. Other services include: Bereavement volunteers, who help with telephone calls, Office volunteers, and special event volunteers who help with fundraising.
A dietician reviews a patient's nutritional needs providing the patient and loved ones with nutritional education. He/She implements a nutritional regimen which will help meet the patient's nutritional needs.
Bereavement Counselors, trained specialists, offer their services to deal with grief and mourning to family and caregivers. They offer their counseling for up to thirteen months after the patient's death. Their services include the following:
Grief counseling
Telephone Support contact
Personal Mailings
Bereavement Newsletter
Bereavement Support Groups
Referral to Professional or Community Resources as Needed
