Services & Team

Hospice Medical Directors are expert physicians with the primary responsibility for ensuring that every patient’s elder care wishes are honored, that the hospice team is supported, and that the care goals set for each patient are met. Developing a comprehensive medical care plan for each patient in the retirement home, they ensure that every member of the hospice team, and the patient’s family, are knowledgeable of the care plan. Medical Directors are available to hospice clinical team members around the clock to respond to the urgent medical needs of hospice patients always ensuring comfort and quality care.

Hospice Nurse Case Managers deliver the care plan to patients using the nursing practices of assessment, planning, intervention, implementation, and evaluation; and effectively interact with patients, significant others, family, and other interdisciplinary team members while maintaining standards of professional nursing. Our Hospice Nurse Case Managers are highly trained and skilled in evaluating and caring for ​terminally ill patients while supporting family or caregivers. We aim to support your skilled nursing facility team to cater to all needs for end-of-life care and our NCMs aid greatly in this. They are experts at recognizing and evaluating symptoms and work closely with the Hospice Medical Director to treat symptoms and improve patient comfort. They offer emotional and practical support for both the patient and their family or caregivers.

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) are considered the “unsung hero” of hospice care. Under the supervision of our Hospice Nurse Case Managers, CNAs provide daily care to enhance a patient’s daily life, wellness, and dignity – which includes essential and basic tasks. They have significant personal contact with the patient and document and report physical and emotional needs to the interdisciplinary team for immediate and effective interventions. Areas of focus include:

• Communicating and tracking medical changes
• Bathing and dressing
• Personal care, including hair, skin, oral, and nails
• Helping with toileting or incontinence care
• Spending time with patients (reading, listening) and educating family members

Master-level Social Workers help families with practical matters associated with the loss of a loved one, so they can make the most of their time together while also empowering people to live comfortably, as they approach the end of a life-limiting illness. Social workers provide:

• Patients and families the tools and perspective they need to accept a diagnosis
• Explanation of practical matters that will need to be handled after death
• Assistance with end-of-life planning
• Pre-bereavement counseling and grief support
• Counsel to family members who are depressed or angry
• Socio-economic support

Master-level Clergy/Chaplain provides non-denominational spiritual care for patients and their loved ones. Patients often have spiritual questions or need spiritual closure during the hospice period and as part of elder care— and our Chaplain’s role is to provide support in a way that is comfortable, safe, and non-judgmental. Spiritual support is not mandatory but is available at any time during any point of hospice care and can be provided at our partner skilled nursing facilities.

Bereavement Counselors can also help when your loved one passes— we are still here for you. The hospice care team works with surviving loved ones to help them through the grieving process providing counseling, community resources, and other helpful tools for approximately one year. We offer a safe and healing grief process for anyone adjusting to loss after the death of a loved one, including children and adults.

Trained and Compassionate Volunteers provide companionship and emotional support along with assistance with special projects or the patient’s favorite activities. Often, they provide quiet presence support and when needed, practical support.