by Crystal J. Smith
Hospice is not a word to be feared but a word that brings service, comfort, understanding and education to people with life limiting illnesses. Our goal is to provide holistic care to patients and families in any setting. Since most patients choose to be at home rather than in a clinical setting, this is most commonly where services are provided. On any given day, we as hospice nurses are ready to assist our patients and families through this life changing event that they are experiencing. Hospice empowers the patient and families to have some aspect of control over death and dying.
Admissions to hospice services are performed by a Registered Nurse. During the admission, information is gathered on the patient’s medical history and recent decline in medical, mental, and physical status. This information will help us guide the plan of care individualized specifically for each patient. Frequently a bond develops between the nurse and the patient/caregiver that is based on trust and accountability. Durable medical equipment (hospital bed, oxygen, walkers, etc.) as well as medication is ordered and delivered to where the patient resides. The hospice nurse educates on the use of these medications and equipment to promote safety as well as services that hospice provides, disease process, symptom management, and contact information. Most hospice companies have a nurse available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The case manager will determine the frequency of each team member based on the needs of the patient. A hospice team involved in the care of a patient and family consists of an RN Case Manager, who coordinates the care of the patient and assesses and makes changes as needed, a Hospice Aide who provides personal care needs and comfort to the patient, a Social Worker who works with the patient and family offering resources that can better assist them, and a Hospice Chaplain to provide much needed Spiritual Support and Volunteer services (if requested), who provides respite for family members and company for the patients.
The Hospice RN Case Manager manages a team who all share the same primary objective – to honor each patient’s wishes and goals as they decline with their life limiting illnesses. Our aim is to educate and prepare ahead of time in the changes they may see or feel. Being educated certainly alleviates some of the fears and stresses families go through. We desire that the death of a patient be as spiritual, comfortable, peaceful, and dignified as possible. Families are mostly grateful for the compassion and commitment that hospice nurses have shown their loved ones, and feel blessed to have them as part of the process. Hospice nurses feel privileged to be accepted and welcomed into homes to care for patients and their families.
Crystal J. Smith is the Director of Patient Care Services for Delta Hospice. Crystal can be reached at Csmith@DeltaHospiceCA.com“>Csmith@DeltaHospiceCA.com. If you have any questions about Hospice, please call our office at 888-591-0709 or 909-438-4407.