Patients eligible for hospice receive intermittent care from our experienced hospice team, wherever they call home. Our clinical team will assess, monitor, and manage a patient’s pain, treat symptoms, and educate loved ones to assist the patient’s care plan.
Exceptional care when it’s needed most
Once a patient or their loved ones have decided to elect hospice care, our team works with the patient, his or her physician and family members to create an individualized plan for their care. This may include: pain and symptom management, nursing care, coordinating medical supplies, medications, and equipment along with emotional and psychological support for the patient and their loved ones throughout the dying and grief process.
A specialized team approach
At a time when exceptional care is needed most, we employ a team approach to end-of-life care. Our interdisciplinary hospice care team includes:
- Physicians to plan medical care and manage symptoms
- Registered nurses to direct around the clock patient care
- Chaplains to provide spiritual support to patients and their families
- Nurse’s aides to help with personal care, such as bathing and dressing
- Social workers to provide emotional support and community resources
- Pharmacists to provide appropriate medication oversight and consultation for symptom control
- Physical, occupational and speech therapists to provide maximum comfort and independence
- Hospice volunteers to provide respite care for families, a listening ear and more
Our hospice team has one goal: to provide comfort and support during this most important and difficult time. For patients, this means giving individualized nursing care, therapy and social services for their physical and emotional well being.
Call us first
At any time, if you or a family member has questions or needs help, call us first. Our team of clinical experts and after hours nursing team are always available to answer your questions and support your needs. We may be able to help you avoid an unnecessary visit to the emergency room. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 for immediate assistance.
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Remote video visitsVideo visits give patients the option to have a face-to-face virtual “visit” with their clinician and the ability to keep their caregiver involved in the communication process. Our secure channels give patients more flexibility in talking to their nurse, screen-to-screen. This technology is also about empowering the patient to become engaged in their recovery, and accomplishes this by enabling clinicians to assign condition-specific education to patients directly and monitor their engagement. |
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Medication managementOur comprehensive medication management program allows patients to have medications delivered straight to their home. Medications are organized and packaged to help patients manage their medication, adhere to their schedule and alleviate challenges or barriers to receiving prescribed medications. This service provides a safer, more effective way to help ensure patients have the medication they need and are taking it the way they should. It’s one more way to keep patients safer and healthier in their own homes. Ask your caregiver for additional information to see if this specialized patient resource may be a good fit for you. |
Coordinated care
When patients begin receiving hospice care at home, our hospice nurses take the time to assess each patients’ individual needs. We work with our health care partners in the community to secure all necessary medical equipment and supplies and coordinate delivery to our patients’ home. Our goal is to provide comfort and support so patients and family members can focus on their time together.
Resources for family members
Caring for a loved one is one of the most selfless acts we humans can do – and it’s also one of the most challenging. Count on our team for the expert care and companionship needed during this life-altering time.
Bereavement programs and resources are also available to provide support during difficult times to family members and friends impacted by the loss of a loved one.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hospice Care
At times like these, patients and their families are faced with many decisions and challenges. Navigating end-of-life care can be extremely emotional and sometimes confusing. We are here to help patients and loved ones find solutions and develop a care plan that preserves comfort and dignity.
While everyone’s situation is unique, the information below should answer many questions about entering hospice.
Patients must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for hospice. We will work with you and your physician to determine eligibility.
Hospice patients are those whose physicians have certified that their illness is terminal with a life expectancy of six months or less. Patients must be under a physician’s care and admission to the program requires a physician’s order. Eligible diagnoses include, but are not limited to:
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Liver disorders
- Lung disease
- Kidney disease
- Neurological diseases (i.e. Alzheimer’s, ALS, Parkinson’s, dementia)
- Respiratory disorders
- Stroke or coma
Hospice is a benefit that is 100% covered for eligible patients under Medicare, most state Medicaid plans, and many private insurance plans. Our hospice team members will determine a patient’s benefit coverage, as well as identify any potential out-of-pocket costs.
A registered nurse will make the first hospice visit and determine the medical, spiritual, and psychosocial needs of the patient and their family. During this first visit, the nurse will determine the appropriate level of hospice care for the patient in order to meet their needs and individualize a plan of care. Services will be discussed, medications will be reviewed, equipment ordered if necessary, conversations with the physician will occur, and consents for care obtained; all prior to initiating regular hospice care for our patients.
Typically, a nurse will visit the patient one to three times per week as the core hospice team member. The nurse will individualize a plan of care to meet the patient’s needs and determine the type and frequency of the other members of the hospice team. Each experience will be unique to the patient’s needs and plan of care.
No, a patient does not have to be homebound to be admitted to hospice. Our hospice teams help patients to be as active as their condition permits.
No. Hospice is about living. Our hospice team strives to bring quality of life and comfort to every patient. Our goal is to help patients and their family live fully, until the end. Hospice is an experience of care and support, different from any other type of care available.
Seeing a loved one through the end of life can be difficult, and people process grief in different ways. Just as we are committed to our patients, we are committed to their families. As part of our plan of care, we offer bereavement support for up to 13 months after a loved one has passed.
Have more questions? Please contact us to speak with one of our team members.