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HOSPICE CONCEPT
Hospice is a concept of caring derived from medieval times, symbolizing a place where travelers, pilgrims and the sick, wounded or dying could find rest and comfort. The contemporary hospice offers a comprehensive program of care to patients and families facing a life threatening illness. Hospice is primarily a concept of care, not a specific place of care.
Hospice emphasizes palliative rather than curative treatment; quality rather than quantity of life. The dying are comforted. Professional medical care is given, and sophisticated symptom relief provided. The patient and family are both included in the care plan and emotional, spiritual and practical support is given based on the patient’s wishes and family’s needs. Trained volunteers can offer respite care for family members as well as meaningful support to the patient.
Hospice affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. Hospice neither hastens nor postpones death. Hospice provides personalized services and a caring community so that patients and families can attain the necessary preparation for a death that is satisfactory to them.
Those involved in the process of dying have a variety of physical, spiritual, emotional and social needs. The nature of dying is so unique that the goal of the hospice team is to be sensitive and responsive to the special requirements of each individual and family.
Hospice care is provided to patients who have a limited life expectancy. Although most hospice patients are cancer patients, hospices accept anyone regardless of age or type of illness. These patients have also made a decision to spend their last months at home or in a homelike setting.
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Tranquility Hospice
is a proud member of the
National Hospice and Palliative Care Association |
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Palliative care, including pain management through medications
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Administering other medications, as prescribed by the physician
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Personal care for the patient, in a manner that respects the individual’s dignity. The hospice CNA may teach family or caregivers how to provide care, such as how to turn a person who is bedridden or how to feed the person
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Assistance with resources including financial aid, funeral arrangements and Healthcare Power of Attorney
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Spiritual support from the Chaplain and spiritual volunteers
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Companionship, such as reading a book aloud, playing cards, talking together or simply sitting with the person
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Emotional support for the patient and family members
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Visits from volunteers, to provide companionship for the patient and to offer respite for the caregivers
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Role of the On-call Nurse:
An on-call nurse provides support after hours and on weekends as part of the hospice care. The individual nurse case managers provide patient status reports to the on-call nurse to ensure that the continuum of care is smooth and updated. We recommend calling the on-call nurse when families are faced with a situation they do not know how to handle (There is no problem to big or too small). Available primarily for telephone support and questions, the on-call nurse will make a home visit when the family and the nurse feel it is necessary. If a death occurs during on-call hours, the on-call nurse will make a home visit to assist the family. The nurse will contact the physician and mortuary.
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Role of the Volunteer:
Trained volunteers are an important part of the hospice team. They support the patient & family by providing patient and family support. Including respite care for family members and other caregivers, running errands, light housekeeping, preparing meals, and providing emotional support, comfort and companionship to a patient and family.
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Role of the Nurse:
Registered Nurses (RN's) coordinate the care with the hospice team and patient's primary care physician, who continues to direct the medical care needed. Our nurses take special care in educating the patient and family on disease process. Our nurses our passionate about the quality of life for each of our patients.
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Role of the Medical Social Worker:
Medical Social Workers ( MSW ) help patients and family members cope with social, emotional, psychological, financial, and other related issues experienced by families caring for a loved one in the last months of life. Our Social Workers provide emotional and practical support to patients and their families, including help with benefit applications and documents such as living wills, advance directives, and funeral plans. They stay up to date with community resources that could also be helpful to our patient’s and family’s. The Social Worker's ongoing visits are scheduled according to the specific needs of patient and caregiver.
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Role of the Home Health Aide:
Kind and compassionate Home Health Aides are available to assist with personal care, light house cleaning, meal preparation and general care to help make the patient as comfortable as possible. Our aides work under the supervision of The Registered Nurse.
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Role of the Chaplain:
Tranquility Hospice offers non-denominational spiritual support as part of its care. Some patients and families ask our Chaplain to assist them in reconnecting to their faith. Others find that our Chaplain can help them frame their life in a meaningful way through talking and sharing stories. Our Chaplain can also help address issues such as regret and forgiveness.
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