Hospice
Hospice is a special kind of care that focuses on the quality of life for individuals who are experiencing a life-limiting illness, and their caregivers. This compassionate care focuses on comfort, emphasizing importance on living each day as fully and comfortably as possible. Hospice is delivered wherever the client calls home and is ideal for when curative treatment is no longer effective, or desired.
Choosing Hospice does not mean "giving up hope." Hospice focuses on quality of life based on individuals' choices so that individual may live as fully as possible, for as long as possible. The goals for hospice care are to relieve suffering, promote dignity, foster independence, and provide support for patients and their loved ones.
Choosing Hospice does not mean "giving up control." you are always in control of your care and may choose to end hospice care, discontinue medications, or change hospice providers. Patients and families make the final decisions about who provides care and to what extent.
Hospice vs. Palliative
All Hospice is Palliative; not all Palliative is Hospice
The Care Team
The hospice care team consists of multiple compassionate members, including:
Hospice Medical Director (MD, DO)
The Hospice Medical Director role is multifaceted. They are responsible for ensuring patients receive the appropriate care and treatment; this includes reviewing care plans and working with the hospice team to develop a comprehensive plan. The medical director meets with the interdisciplinary team every 15 days to collaborate on a patients care. Additionally, and most importantly, the medical director is to act as an advocate for patients and their families.
Registered Nurse Case Manager (RNCM)
The RNCM is the Registered Nursing overseeing and enacting the plan of care created by the Interdisciplinary Team.
This includes medication and medical equipment management, skilled nursing and wound care, care coordination, patient and family education, and advocacy. The RNCM supports and provides guidance throughout the duration of hospice care services.
Hospice Aide (CNA)
Hospice aides are the eyes, ears, and hands of the hospice care team.
They help with practical needs, including personal care and bathing, medical equipment, light housekeeping, and feeding. They also assist with emotional support for both patients and family members. The simple act of helping a patient get clean can restore a sense of dignity and offer much needed relief for family caregivers.
Social Worker (LSW, LCSW, MSW)
Hospice social workers provide emotional and practical help, working closely with medical teams to coordinate services and resources. These professionals help families cope with the stress of dealing with a terminal illness and coordinate care for those who may be facing financial or other hardships due to the illness.
Chaplain/ Spiritual Counselor
Hospice chaplains provide spiritual and emotional support to patients and their families during end-of-life care. They offer comfort, compassion, and prayer services. Chaplains create a safe space, active listening, grief support, and pastoral care for family and fellow caregivers. Chaplains also assist with Bereavement Services provided to families.
Volunteer Support
Hospice volunteers can provide companionship to both patient and family caregiver. They're a caring, friendly face for chatting, reading, playing games, watching TV, listening to music, and sharing stories.
They're also available for emotional support. Sometimes sitting and listening to patients' stories can be enough.