Caring Hospice Services

Caring Hospice provides a comprehensive range of services, commensurate with the needs of each individual. We recognize that each individual’s needs are different, and that a patient’s needs may change. We work closely with family members to determine what is needed, and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Caring Hospice uses an interdisciplinary approach, keeping the broad picture of each patient’s needs in mind. The collaborative team includes a wide range of specialty and expertise, including:

	Attending Physician – The patient’s regular physician is a key member of the Hospice Team. The attending physician assumes responsibility for medical management of the patient’s treatment throughout their involvement in the hospice program.
	Hospice Medical Director – Works with attending physician and staff, providing the expertise and perspective of hospice care
	Patient Care Manager (PCM) - The PCM is a registered nurse who is responsible for the management and coordinator of care the patient and the team. He/she makes certain that the plan of care for each patient is unique, individualized and interdisciplinary. He/she is often the most accessible by phone and coordinates the physician’s orders with the other team members who will carry them out.
	Nursing Staff – The hospice nurse visits the patient wherever they reside. The number of visits depends on the patient’s needs. The hospice nurse provides direct care to the patient and keeps the doctor informed and updated about the patient’s condition. The nurse also teaches the family and/or other caregivers how to care for the patient.
	Social Worker – The social worker provides direct support and counseling for the patient, family members, and caregivers. The Social Worker also serves as the primary contact to access community resources.
	Certified Home Health Aides/Certified Nurses’ Assistants – The CHHA/C.N.A. is available to provide personal care, such as bathing and grooming as well as assistance with other activities of daily living. The CHHA/C.N.A can also provide short periods of respite for the family. The frequency of the visits are base on the needs of the patient and the caregiver.
	Hospice chaplain – The chaplain is available to help patient and family with spiritual and religious matters. He can also serve as liaison to the family’s clergyman.
	Bereavement coordinator – The Hospice Bereavement Coordinator works with the family and develops a plan to support and help them during their time of loss. The Bereavement Coordinator is a specialist who is aware of the difficulties and needs of a family as they go through this time of loss.
	Volunteer – Hospice Volunteer provide emotional support and companionship to patients and their families. They can also provide respite for caregivers and family members involved in the patient’s care.

Hospice is an approach in care that has greatly improved the way our society and particularly the medical community perceives end of life issues.

The philosophy of hospice is simple and compelling: Individuals with life-limiting medical conditions should be made as comfortable as possible, and have their quality of life maximized, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually.

In practice, hospice focuses on managing and alleviating pain and symptoms while maintaining the patient’s dignity. Hospice fosters a love and appreciation for family and life experiences, and helps patients accept their situation with hope and encouragement rather than despair. Because no two situations are alike, hospice caregivers coordinate a plan of care that is specifically designed to meet the needs of each individual.

As part of a comprehensive care approach, hospice care also addresses the logistical and emotional needs of the patient’s family. The hospice team of caregivers includes physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, therapists, volunteers - and most importantly – family members themselves.

Because it is an approach, not a place, hospice care can be provided at home, at an assisted living facility, at a long-term care setting, or even at a hospital.