Hospice and Palliative Services
Medical Care
We use a palliative care approach which is focused on achieving and maintaining patient comfort and providing help for family members. Our hands-on Board Certified medical director works in tandem with the patient's primary care physician, to ensure that each patient achieves and maintains the maximum level of symptom and pain control so they remain fully comfortable.
Our experienced registered nurses have advanced training in end of life care so they can provide skilled, compassionate care and support to patients and families. Our certified nursing aides provide help with personal care and any assistance patients may need to be comfortable.
Bridging to Hospice Care
Our expertise and years of experience help us assist each patient and their family as they prepare to transition from hospital or traditional home care to hospice and palliative care. Our goal is to ensure service delivery remains as smooth and seamless as possible.
Pain and symptom control
Using our years of experience and advanced training, we are able to assess patient needs and implement the best options to maximize patient ease while respecting patient wishes to be comfortable while continuing to remain alert. We draw on the services of a specialty hospice pharmacy to provide our patients with the best, most precise medications as part of their care. This ensures we use the most efficient and effective methods for medication management and delivery that are customized to each patient’s needs and wishes.
Medical equipment and supplies
Those items that assist in providing quality home care and which will promote the greatest comfort at home or in other hospice settings will be used to help us achieve the ultimate in comfort and safety for each individual under our care.
Social Services
Non-medical needs such as planning for the future or addressing any emotional difficulties that are affecting the patient and his or her loved ones, are part of the concerns focused on by the Hospice and Palliative Care social worker.
The social worker provides support and counseling to the patient and family as they attempt to deal with health changes and the future. Support may include helping to identify available community resources and providing advice concerning financial questions that occur with a prolonged illness and death. In addition, the social worker acts as a patient and family advocate in a variety of other ways, such as with assistance in planning funeral arrangements.
Bereavement Services
Everyone responds differently to illness and loss. Our hospice social worker specializes in helping individuals and families deal with these complex issues. Community VNA Hospice and Palliative Care offers on-going bereavement support for at least a year following a death, including grief support groups for adults and special bereavement programs for children.
Spiritual Care
The Spiritual Care coordinator is available to patients and families with help in coping with spiritual questions and concerns at the end of life. She is able to assist directly, or if requested, will help coordinate service by the patient's or family's own spiritual advisor. We understand that each person's needs and beliefs are different and all wishes will be honored and respected by the Hospice and Palliative Care team.
Hospice and Palliative Care Team
Our skilled team of caregivers is available to patients and families through the final stages of any type of life limiting illness, ensuring that the choices and needs of each are being met.
Medical Director
Our hands-on Board Certified medical director works closely with each patient's primary care physician, providing the maximum level of symptom and pain management for each patient.
Primary Care Nurse
The primary care registered nurse coordinates all care and support for her patients and is available whenever needed. Our own staff of evening and weekend nurses are on-duty around the clock to assist her, so there is always one of our skilled, trained professional nurses available to you. Our efficient nursing staff is well known and recognized for their continuity of care and responsiveness.
Home Care Aides
Specially trained home care aides provide for the patient’s personal care and comfort needs.
Social Worker
The social worker helps patients and families deal with non-medical needs and cope with the many emotions they may experience.
Spiritual Care Coordinator
The spiritual care coordinator is available to provide and coordinate spiritual support for patients and families.
Bereavement Coordinator
The bereavement coordinator provides support for patients and families as they cope with the experiences of grief and loss.
Trained Hospice Volunteers
Hospice volunteers who have received formal training are an important part of all professional hospice programs and can provide a special “one-on-one” attention to patients while giving caregivers and families needed respite and support.
