How does Hospice care work?
Typically, a family member serves as the primary caregiver and, when appropriate, helps make decisions for the terminally ill individual. Members of the hospice staff make regular visits to assess the patient and provide additional care or other services. Hospice staff is on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The hospice team develops a care plan that meets each patient’s individual needs for pain management and symptom control. The team usually consists of: Patient and family/caregiver The patient’s personal physician Hospice physician (or medical director) Nurses Social workers Speech, physical and occupational therapists if needed Home health aides Clergy Trained volunteers The plan also outlines the medical and support services required such as nursing care, personal care (dressing, bathing, etc), social services, physicians’ visits, and counseling.
Typically, a family member serves as the primary caregiver and, when appropriate, helps make decisions for the terminally ill individual. Members of the hospice staff make regular visits to assess the patient and provide additional care or other services. Hospice staff is on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The hospice team develops a care plan that meets each patient’s individual needs for pain management and symptom control. The team usually consists of the following individuals: The patient’s personal physician Hospice physician (or medical director) Nurses Home health aides Social workers Clergy or other counselors Trained volunteers, and Speech, physical, and occupational therapists (if needed).
