What Services Do Hospice Patients & Their Families Receive?
Hospice care is available to terminally ill patients who have made the decision to focus on quality of life over curative treatments. The patient and their family receive care and support from a team of end-of-life professionals who focus on providing comfort by managing physical symptoms and addressing emotional and spiritual needs.
What does hospice provide?
Once a patient is enrolled in hospice care, they begin receiving visits from the hospice care team which includes a nurse, hospice aide, social worker, chaplain, bereavement coordinator, and volunteers – all overseen by the hospice medical director. This hospice team coordinates the services hospice provides to the patient and their family.
These hospice services include:
- Nursing visits to address physical symptoms.
- Visits from the hospice aide to provide personal care including bathing and grooming.
- Social work visits to assist with coordinating resources from the community and within the family.
- Visits from the chaplain to provide spiritual comfort.
- Volunteers to provide additional companionship.
- Bereavement support for the family after their loved one has passed away.
In addition, hospice provides – at no cost to the patient – any medication, supplies, and medical equipment related to their hospice diagnosis.
What equipment does hospice provide?
Medical equipment related to the patient’s hospice diagnosis will be delivered to their place of residence by a durable medical supply company. This equipment can include, but is not limited to:
- Hospital bed
- Wheelchair
- Walkers
- Lifts
- Oxygen equipment
Medical supplies related to the patient’s hospice diagnosis are also provided at no cost. These supplies may include, but are not limited to:
- Wound dressing
- Incontinence supplies (bedpans, under-pads, adult briefs)
- Gloves
Medication related to the patient’s hospice diagnosis are provided at no charge and will be delivered by the pharmacy. These medications will often include a hospice emergency kit to be used under the direction of the hospice nurse if there is a sudden change in the patient’s condition.
Additional Hospice Services
Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care is proud to offer unique services to improve our patients’ quality of life. These include our Gift of a Day program giving each patient the chance for one perfect day, Veteran Recognition Ceremonies to honor Veterans in our care, and personalized Life Journals that include the patient’s life story and treasured photos.
As a patient declines, Crossroads is committed to increasing our time with the patient with our Evermore Care program which allows us to keep a member of our staff at bedside when a patient and their family needs us most.
Crossroads provides hospice care and services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please call us at 1-888-564-3405 to learn more about how we support terminally ill patients and their families.
Recommended Reading:
If you found this information helpful, please share it with your network and community.
Copyright © 2019 Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care. All rights reserved.
