PATIENT AND FAMILY SERVICE

Hospice of Clay County operates as a team with patients/families as key members of the team. Below are the members of the team and the unique services each brings to enhancing a patient's quality of life and providing support to caregivers.

ROLES OF THE HOSPICE TEAM

SKILLED NURSESplay a key role in easing physical and psychosocial symptoms and suggest the need for other disciplines to be involved in a patient's care. Nursing visits are as frequently as needed, usually 2-4 times per week. In addition to assessing the needs of a patient, nurses provide direct nursing care, instruct, and support the patient.

CERTIFIED HOME HEALTH AIDESassist with daily living activities including personal hygiene care, such as a bath, shampoo, shave, oral hygiene, simple wound care, toileting, feeding, and skin care. Homemaker services can be included as needed for 3-4 hours one day a week

SOCIAL WORKERprovides psychosocial services which include psychosocial assessment, grief assessment, counseling, advocacy, and education. Counseling is meant to assist the patient with the crisis of advanced illness, such as addressing the mourning process, which is often well underway as a result of losses already sustained because of the role changes, body image changes, loss of self-esteem, and a changing sense of identity. Issues of clinical depression and anxiety; unresolved grief for past losses; substance abuse; spiritual concerns; and questions regarding powers of attorney, advance directives, and medical proxies are all within the social worker's ability to help.

CHAPLAINprovides spiritual support in keeping with the patient's belief system and practice. If patients do not have a minister and desire to have one, the Hospice of Clay County chaplain is available to provide spiritual care or to facilitate in locating a minister of their choice. The hospice program does not impose any particular belief system on it's patients. The chaplain will provide opportunities for life review, dealing with unfinished business, and emotional/spiritual comfort. The chaplain will not replace one's own minister and/or church, but can facilitate communication with a minister.

VOLUNTEERS, trained by Hospice of Clay County, are available for companionship. The volunteer's visit provides an opportunity for social contact and a break from the normal routine. If patients want to talk about their feelings, volunteers are there to listen. Volunteers may also transport patients to appointments, shopping, etc. Volunteers can sit occasionally 3-4 hours to allow caregivers to have a brief rest or go to appointments.

ATTENDING PHYSICIANSare involved in the healthcare decisions for patients. Patients select the attending physician of their choice or Hospice of Clay County's Medical Director may be asked to become the Attending Physician. The Medical Director for Hospice of Clay County is an integral part of the interdisciplinary team available to review patient cases weekly, and consult with Attending Physicians and other team members as needed.