What exactly does a Hospice Nurse do?
It is the job of the hospice nurse to keep the patient as comfortable as possible during the dying process. This probably includes major pain medications for most people. This nurse will also work with the patient and family to be sure that everyone understands what to expect through each step of the process. Some hospice workers spend a great deal of time with the family, while others will tend the patient’s basic needs only. A lot depends on what the patient and family want from them. It’s normally agreed that the patient will no long take any medication that will prolong their lives when they sign up for the hospice program. The hospice program also furnishes any and all medical aides that the patient needs, such as wheel chair, bedside commode, hospital bed, lifts, etc. The patient can remain at home during this time or can enter a hospice facility, sometimes located in the local hospital. All of this is done at no cost to the patient or their family.
