What to Expect
Appointment
When you contact HospiceCare, someone from our staff will respond within an hour to give you the information you need, answer questions, and schedule an admissions visit if desired.
Admissions Visit
An admissions nurse will meet with the patient and family members where the patient resides to:
- Explain HospiceCare’s services and answer questions
- Determine patient/family goals and current concerns related to the patient’s care and disease process
- Assess the patient's eligibility for palliative or hospice care
- Provide information about Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Advance Care Planning. Patients are not required to have an advance directive to receive care.
- Complete an initial physical assessment
Patients who meet eligibility guidelines are admitted within four hours of a physician order any time of the day, any day of the week.
Compassionate, Individualized Care
Once admitted, you will remain in the care of your primary physician and also receive assistance from a HospiceCare interdisciplinary team. Your care team will work with you and your doctor to develop a plan for care that is tailored to your specific needs and preferences. This care plan can change any time your wishes do. HospiceCare interdisciplinary teams consist of:
- Board Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Physicians to consult with your doctor and the rest of your team and ensure optimum pain and symptom management
- A Registered Nurse (RN), who may be assisted by a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), to manage your physical care in consultation with your physicians
- A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to help with personal care and everyday activities
- A Medical Social Worker to determine goals of care by facilitating family meetings to address your care and comfort; offer emotional support and counseling; guidance about anticipatory needs; and assist with legal, financial or insurance matters.
- A Chaplain to offer counsel that is respectful of your spiritual beliefs, coordinate with the clergy of your faith community, and provide spiritual support related to dying and grief.
- Grief counselors to identify and address anticipatory grief issues that often accompany a terminal diagnosis and provide grief support and counseling for up to 13 months following a death.
- Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech Therapists and Nutrition Counselors whose services are determined by your physician and care team.
- Volunteers, such as home care volunteers, who are available for companionship, to help write letters, or run errands for you; and complementary therapy volunteers—such as aromatherapy, comfort touch, and pet therapy—who help alleviate stress and promote physical and emotional well-being.
