Hospice is a collaborative process involving the patient, family, friends, caregivers, volunteers, bereavement and religious professionals. Based upon the patient’s diagnosis and how they want to live their lives after a life limiting diagnosis, a plan of care is developed to meet those goals.
The patient and their support network are in complete control of what services are wanted. Not all services are required, but all are always available and a patient can change what they want at any time.
In addition to the patient, families and friends are offered counseling and support during the patients stay under hospice care, and long after the patient has passed.
Nursing Care is the basis of Hospice and Palliative Care. Our Nurses manage the care plan process which is based upon clinical assessment of the patients medical needs and formed around the directives of the individual patient.
The nursing team, including RN, LPN, and Aide, provide direct care to the patient based upon the care plan. Additionally they work hand in hand with facility staff if the patient is not at home. This allows seamless assistance in real time with staff input.
Pain management, assessments, treatments and a communication with Physicians and other practitioners is a key part of their role.
The role of the social worker within Hospice is critical in assisting the patient and family as they work through issues such as insurance, benefits, or legal matters. They are experts navigating community resources for both the patient and family.
Additionally they are available to help the patient in any other way possible to ensure the their needs are met.
Religious and Spiritual Care support is an important part of our professional team. Our Spiritual Director/Chaplain will be as involved as wanted, and can assist in coordinating resources from various traditional religious organizations to less traditional spiritual or religious organizations or philosophies.
The Spiritual Director will assist loved ones and families as well, and is always available to be as involved as wanted within the Bereavement offerings and programs of Commonwealth Hospice.
Our Medical Director and Physician team work directly with the team and the patient to ensure all medical needs are being addressed appropriately. They also develop medical policy and address individual patient needs. Additionally they communicate with primary care physicians and other medical professionals.
The experience of caring for or living with someone with an advanced illness does not end when the loved one passes on. This profound experience often lasts well past what one may think of as a typical grieving period. Commonwealth Hospice offers up to 13 months of ongoing support to Families and Friends.
Our services include regular support letters, educational materials, telephone support calls and visits by professionals and trained volunteers.
Additionally Commonwealth Hospice can support referrals to community groups, therapists, legal professionals and other support services.
There is no right or wrong way to grieve. We are there to support people in their own way.
Palliative Care supports people living with a serious illness or condition. Our team works with other professionals to assist in managing pain, symptoms, and emotional and spiritual needs of the patient as well as family support. Palliative care is not hospice, although the two are often used synonymously. Palliative care can be used in conjunction with curative care of underlying illnesses.
Hospice care is always palliative, however Palliative care is not always hospice.
Palliative care is covered under Medicare as part of an individuals approved Hospice Care, however as a Stand-Alone service, palliative care may not be covered. Please speak with our professionals to better understand the difference.
Our volunteers play an important part within the hospice. They work to make the care given to a patient flow by filling in for non-clinical visits, working with families on specific needs, gathering resources, and just “being available” to help wherever they can. Their presence is invaluable.