The hospice care team is made up of different specialties.
It takes a variety of skilled professionals to deal with the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual care a terminally ill patient needs. Most families would find it impossible to assemble such a team. Hospice does this for you, using an interdisciplinary team trained in end-of-life care.
We have walked this path before.
These team members know what patients and families will go through as they enter hospice. Time and again, they see what a patient is likely to experience during the end-of-life journey – so they work closely with you, your loved one and each other to optimize care at every stage. This approach results in better patient and family outcomes than when individual health professionals work in isolation.
Your physician may stay involved, be involved in health and comfort decisions, and kept up to date on your care plan. At the hospice organization, the core team is called the “Inter-Disciplinary Group” or IDG, and may include:
- Specially Trained Physicians
- Advanced Nurse Practitioners
- Registered Nurses
- Licensed Practical Nurses
- Social Workers
- Certified Nurse Assistants
- Non-denominational Chaplains
- Grief and Loss Therapy Professionals
- Specially-Trained Volunteers
Each team member has a specific role.
Physician
Physicians create and maintain the medical component of every patient’s Plan of Care, ensuring that every member of the hospice team, caregivers, and the patient’s family understand the plan.
Nurses
Each patient and family is assigned a Nurse/Case Manager who coordinates the delivery of care. They will be there as often as necessary as an extension of the physician, to monitor and manage pain and symptoms. They will also educate the family on what to expect and how to help.
Certified Nursing Assistants
Certified Nursing Assistants make regular visits to assist patients with activities of daily living such as bathing, shaving, shampooing, and the changing of patients' bed linens.
Social Workers
Social Workers are aware of community resources that may help patients and families grappling with with job problems, financial challenges, or legal issues.
Pastoral Care Worker/Chaplains
A Pastoral Care Worker/Chaplain is available for those who request spiritual assistance and support. This support can be provided either directly by a staff Hospice Chaplain or they can coordinate care with other clergy.
Specially Trained Volunteers
Specially Trained Volunteers can serve as a companion, someone who listens, or just a friend to lean on.
The care team stays up to date and coordinated.
Key members collaborate, check-in with each other regularly, and pool resources to ensure well-rounded care for the hospice patient. Meetings between the interdisciplinary group take place once a week or once every two weeks, depending on the patient’s needs. During these meetings, team members discuss the patient’s progress, any issues that have arisen since the last meeting, and the overall Plan of Care. This is to identify overlapping issues and address any changes in condition.
Am I doing the right thing?
The fact that you are exploring hospice is a positive sign. It means you are considering what would be best for a terminally-ill person and their family.
What do I do now?
Now that you know what hospice is, you may want some additional information. Other topics that may interest you include:
What to Expect from Hospice Care
For additional information or to discuss a hospice referral, call Nathan Adelson Hospice’s qualified admission personnel at 702.733.0320 to answer any questions you have.
We can be your trusted partner
The philosophy of Nathan Adelson Hospice is to provide support and care so that people with a life-limiting illness may live as fully and comfortably as possible. As southern Nevada’s hospice of choice, we demonstrate an unwavering commitment to make sure that no one in our care ends the journey of life alone, afraid or in pain.
