Patient Care and Family Services In Your Home

Many people feel that the most natural and comfortable place to be during life's final journey is among family and friends at home. Nearly 90 percent of hospice care is provided in our patients' homes. To help patients stay at home, In-House Hospice & Palliative Care staff work with the patient and family to provide the best care. We are a "safety net" – available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in addition to scheduled routine visits.

Additionally, we partner with current care providers to coordinate the best plan of care to meet the patient's needs, and we adapt the strategy as needs change.

When hospice care is provided in the home, a registered nurse visits regularly, coordinates care, and stays in contact with the patient's own doctor. Our nurses have extensive training and specialize in treatment for people with life-limiting illnesses.

Other team members visit as needed and as the patient desires. Most patients and families choose to receive care from several team members, who include social workers, home health aides, chaplains, volunteers, and music and massage therapists.

The patient's own doctor continues to direct and be involved in the patient's care. Our medical director oversees staff and consults with the patient's doctor or can be the primary doctor for patients who don't have one.

Some of the other services patients and families will receive at home from In-House Hospice include:

Respite care

• Respite care is when family members and friends need temporary relief from the caregiving role. Hospice team members come to a home or facility (for a few hours or days) to provide caregiving and other services.

Continuous home care

• Home care with hospice workers providing care around-the-clock.

Hospice care is team-oriented with an emphasis on emotional and spiritual caretaking, as well as making the patient as comfortable as possible. This means hospice care often includes:

• Spiritual support; grief, bereavement, and other counseling
• Music, massage, and pet therapy
• Trained volunteers
• Medicine for controlling pain and other symptoms
• Medical supplies and appliances

For more information on patient and family services provided in the home, please contact In-House Hospice & Palliative Care at (800) 311-5365.