Types of Hospice Care

In-House Hospice & Palliative Care provides a variety of types of hospice care services. The interdisciplinary care team works with the patient and family to coordinate an individual care plan to best meet their needs. Hospice care teams are usually available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visits or phone consultations can often be made any time of day.

Services for patients and families

• Nursing care
  A registered nurse is an integral member of the care team. Nursing care may involve administering medication, monitoring the condition of patient, controlling pain, and providing other health support.
• Social services
  Social workers provide various services to the patient, including counseling and locating community resources to help the patient and his or her family. Some social workers are also the patient's case manager when the patient's medical condition is very complex and requires coordination of many services.
• Physician services
  The physician plays an important role in determining the plan of care with the hospice care team. The physician can be the patient's family doctor or In-House staff can refer a physician to the family.
• Home care aide or homemaker services
  Home health aides can help the patient with his or her basic personal needs such as getting out of bed, walking, bathing, and dressing. Some aides have received specialized training to assist with more specialized care under supervision of a nurse. A homemaker or attendant can maintain the household with meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, and other housekeeping chores.
• Volunteer care
  Volunteers are often part of hospice care teams, providing services ranging from companionship to carpooling. Volunteers often fill in the gaps for families dealing with a terminal illness and provide support for both the patient and the family.
• Physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy
  As a terminal illness progresses, the patient may lose his or her ability to accomplish basic daily tasks such as dressing or feeding. Physical, occupational, and/or speech therapists can work with the patient to find new ways to accomplish lost functions.
• Respite care
  Caring for a terminally ill patient 24 hours a day can be exhausting for a family. Respite care gives the family a much-needed break by arranging for a brief in-patient stay for the patient, or extra services in the home.
• Grief support
  Care for the family does not end with the death of a patient. The hospice care team works with the surviving family members to help them cope with the grieving process. Bereavement support may include counseling, support groups, or medical referrals.
• Spiritual care
  Depending on the patient's religious or spiritual beliefs, hospice care can provide support from clergy or other spiritual counselors for the patient and the family. In-House offers spiritual care that includes In-House chaplains, the Jewish Hospice program, and memorial services.

Hospice care in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living residents and hospitals

 At times, it may become necessary to move the hospice patient from the home to a hospital or other care facility. In-House Hospice & Palliative Care can arrange this care and provide hospice care when appropriate in this facility.