| 
 |
 Patients,
family members and the patient's doctor decide
when and what type
of help is needed.
A
team of physicians, nurses, social workers, certified nursing assistants,
counselors, chaplains and specially trained volunteers work with
the patient's caregiver to coordinate a plan of care. Among its major
responsibilities, the interdisciplinary hospice team:
 Manages
the patient's pain and symptoms;
Assists
the patient with the emotional and
 psychosocial and spiritual aspects
of dying;
Provides
needed drugs, medical supplies,
and equipment;
Coaches
the family on how to care for the patient;
Delivers
special services like speech and
physical
therapy when needed.
|
Hospice makes short-term in-patient care available
if pain or symptoms become too difficult to manage at
home.
Provides
bereavement care and counseling to surviving family and friends
With Hospice of the Chesapeake, the first nursing visit to the
patient's home is usually the admission visit. During this time, the nurse
will:
Explain
hospice care;
Complete
a full physical assessment;
Identify
the most distressing problems for
the patient; and
Develop
a plan to address the problems.
The nurse will focus on any uncomfortable symptoms such as pain,
shortness of breath, or nausea. The goal is that the patient will
be comfortable quickly and consistently.
Additionally the nurse will:
Review
current and needed medications;
Review
equipment and supply needs; and
Establish
a visit schedule for services as needs such as nursing, home
health aides, social work, chaplain, and volunteers. A
nutritionist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech
language pathologist and counselor are also available.
Hospice provides compassionate care wherever
the patient calls home – a house, nursing home, assisted living center, or our
TATE CHESAPEAKE HOSPICE HOUSE or at our MANDRIN CHESAPEAKE HOSPICE HOUSE.
Services
are available to patients of any age, gender, sexual orientation,
religion, race, illness, or ability to pay.
Hospice
care is covered under Medicare, Medicaid, most private insurance
plans, HMOs, and other managed care organizations.
|
