support and care to patients and family members
as needed. The hospice team includes*:
PHYSICIAN: Your personal physician and
the hospice physician work together to plan
your medical care. They are always in close
touch with the other members of the hospice
interdisciplinary group.
NURSE: Hospice nurses specialize in palliative
care which is a special kind of care that keeps
pain to a minimum and increases comfort. The
nurse is the liaison between the patient and the
physician and other health care professionals.
The hospice nurse makes intermittent visits to
monitor and evaluate your condition. The nurse
provides the patient and family with information
about the illness and helps manage the pain and
symptoms of the disease. Many Florida hospices
use certified hospice and palliative care nurses
who have obtained specialized training.
MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER: The social
worker is a counselor to the patient and the
family. The social worker assists the family
with financial, insurance and legal issues, and
helps them understand the personal and social
challenges of illness, disability, and the dying
process. The social worker arranges volunteer
support and other services in the community
which are available as resources.
SPIRITUAL/PASTORAL COUNSELOR:
Spiritual issues are an important part of the care
of the patient requiring hospice care. Preferences
are discussed with the patient and family
members. In addition to the support provided
by the patient’s church or synagogue, hospice
spiritual counselors help patients address life
closure and the meaning of life. Assistance with
memorial services and funerals is available at the
family’s request.
HOME HEALTH AIDE: Home health aides
are skilled in helping the patient and caregiver
with the personal care of the patient, such as
personal grooming, some light housekeeping or
Hospice
meal preparation, and many other duties as needs
arise. Aides provide a break for caregivers in the
normal routine of personal care and they offer
both physical and emotional support. Personal
care services are provided to patients on an
intermittent basis.
THERAPIST: Physical, occupational, and speech
therapists are available through hospice to help
a patient maintain comfort or quality of life.
Some hospices may also provide complimentary
therapies such as music, art, pet and massage.
BEREAVEMENT COUNSELOR: Bereavement
counselors provide support to family members
before death and after the death of the loved
one. Bereavement counselors may provide oneon
one counseling and also organize support
groups. Bereavement support includes helping
the patient and the patient’s loved ones close out
their lives together. Often, the support groups are
open to other members of the community who
may also be grieving.
VOLUNTEER: Hospice volunteers are members
of the community who have special interest
and specialized training. Volunteers provide
companionship for the patient and relief for
the caregiver. Volunteers are very important
members of the interdisciplinary group. Patientfamily
volunteers perform many functions
including sitting with patients, running errands
for the patient or caregiver, providing emotional
support, and relaying information to other
members of the interdisciplinary group for
follow-up. The volunteer training curriculum
includes an introduction to hospice, the patientfamily
volunteer role, concepts of death and
dying, communication skills, care and comfort
measures, diseases and medical conditions,
psychosocial and spiritual issues related to death
and dying, stress management, bereavement,
infection control, safety, confidentiality, and
patient rights.
*Other professionals may join the hospice team when needed.
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