What Is Hospice

• Certifies that the patient is terminally ill with life expectancy of six months or less
• Leads the interdisciplinary team in the development of the plan of care and provides ongoing education/training to the staff
• Provides consultation to other physicians regarding hospice care

• Can be a physician or Nurse Practitioner
• Can also be the Hospice Medical Director, if desired
• Nurse Practitioner: Primarily used for face-to-face home assessment May be involved in the hospice plan of care for the patient
• Involved with any changes in medications, procedures, tests, etc.
• Works with the Hospice team to address comfort measures for the patient
• Consults as needed with the Hospice Medical Director to achieve good symptom management and quality of life

Primarily completes face-to-face home assessments for hospice patients after they have been on service over 180 days.

• Oversees ordering durable medical equipment, health care supplies and prescriptions that relate to the Hospice diagnosis and end-of-life care of the patient
• Initiates all medication ordering, supply and prescription gather for the patient
• Provides regular communication with primary care provider, hospice medical director, family, caregivers, and community agencies

• Introduced at the beginning of hospice care
• May be assigned as the registered nurse case manager
• Assesses comfort and any other symptoms which may need attention, such as pain, nausea, etc.
• Performs procedures such as wound care, bowel care, blood draws, and placing and maintaining any IV medications, catheters, etc.
• Teaches the caregivers about medications, symptom management, dressing changes, etc.
• Suggests and helps obtain needed equipment and services
• Offers support and education as physical changes occur

• Works closely with patients and families to create and maintain a supportive caregiving system
• Helps address personal, financial and emotional issues
• Identifies community resources
• Helps family to arrange added caregiving support at home or in alternative care settings
• Provides information on Advance Care Planning including 5 Wishes, Living Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney, and POLST
• Assists in funeral planning and arrangements
• Suggests coping techniques through relaxation, guided imagery

• Volunteers are extensively trained and carefully screened
• Provide intermittent respite to families/caregivers
• Read and actively listen to patients
• Run errands, grocery shopping, laundry, light housekeeping, prepare meals, walk pets, etc.
• Offer outings and companionship for patients
• Assist with writing memoirs and capturing your life story
• Socialize with patients in nursing homes and assisted living facilities

• Provides personal care needs such as bathing, changing linens, shampooing, shaving, etc.
• Offers light homemaking services
• Assists in toileting and patient transfers
• Watches for skin care issues
• Teaches personal care techniques to families and/or caregivers

• Meets with patients and families to share hopes, fears, dreams and concerns, whether spiritual or otherwise
• Explores unresolved issues surrounding the meaning and value of life
• Helps with spiritual concerns using a non-denominational approach
• Supports exploration of struggles with spiritual and/or emotional issues
• Provides spiritual counseling, respecting your personal beliefs
• Assists in funeral planning, memorial services, or other observances
• Contacts clergy services from the denomination of your choice

• Offers grief support to families and caregivers through the first 13 months of bereavement, which may include visits, telephone calls, informational packets, and short-term counseling
• Encourages use of the Hospice library as a resource on grief work
• Refers to other community resources as needed for grief support
• Facilitates bereavement support groups

• Participates at the team meetings as a medication resource
• Recommends medication usage and dosage, alternative medications, and optimal medications for symptom management

Optional therapies may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology providing the following services:

• Evaluate specialized medical equipment
• Assess transfer safety, strength, and ambulation to improve quality of life
• Teach safe swallowing/eating techniques
• Evaluate communication difficulties
• Teach family/caregivers exercises and positioning for the bed bound patient that might relieve pain and discomfort

Additional costs may apply depending upon availability of services.

• Uses live patient-preferred music to patients and families with end-of-life issues
• Creates a therapeutic relationship between the professional certified music therapist and the patient by facilitating each session following a specialized plan
• Helps with pain control and anxiety
• Provides an opportunity for relaxation and emotional expression

• Creates a therapeutic relationship between the professional massage therapist and the patient by facilitating each session following a specialized plan
• Helps with pain control and anxiety
• Provides mental and physical relaxation, improved sleep, and stress relief