Your Hospice Interdisciplinary Team
Your interdisciplinary team works closely together with you, your family and each other to meet the highest possible standards of care for you. Team members are responsible for regular communication and sharing of important information concerning our patients with other team members and with appropriate hospice team members in order to provide you and your family with well-coordinated and comprehensive treatment. The interdisciplinary team concept is unique to hospice care and we believe critical to the successful holistic care of patients approaching the end of life. Each patient’s and family’s plan of care is specific to their unique illness and course. Different team members will be utilized based on the needs of the patient and their loved ones.
Primary Team
Hospice Nurse – A Registered Nurse who is responsible for primary hospice care management.
Regular visits are made to patient’s home, hospital or nursing home to carry out care and treatment prescribed by a Physician. The Registered Nurse supports patient and family through crisis situations.
Social Worker – The Social Worker assesses patient and family needs and is available for counseling. They educate the patient and family about community resources and provide ongoing support. Services may be provided in the home, nursing home or office.
Chaplain – The Chaplain provides spiritual care for hospice patients and families. They assess spiritual needs of patients and families who request chaplaincy services and provides spiritual comfort.
Medical Director – A Physician who assumes overall responsibility of medical care of patients in conjunction with the patient’s own physician and hospice team. The Medical Director is available for consultations and emergencies when the patient’s own physician is not available.
Certified Nursing Assistant – A Nursing Assistant who provides personal care services under supervision of the Registered Nurse.
Volunteer – The Volunteer visits patient and family on a regular basis and provides respite for families. They offer practical help and are available to provide understanding and caring to the patient and family.
Bereavement Counselor – Responsible for bereavement care/counseling for Hospice families. Counselors in the Chesapeake Life Center provide grief support through individual or family counseling for adults and children/teens. In addition, various grief support groups and educational events are available to hospice families after the death of their loved one. Hospice families are eligible for up to 10 grief counseling sessions and a variety of support groups at no charge for up to 13 months following death.
Bereavement Volunteer – A volunteer from Chesapeake Life Center will call within the first couple of months after your loss to see how you are doing and to remind you of the availability of bereavement support. In addition, the Chesapeake Life Center sends informational mailings about grief throughout the 13 months following the death. Volunteers also assist in Chesapeake Life Center activities.