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Compassionate Care at Memorial Family Hospice

Experience compassionate care and support for patients and families.

What is Hospice?
Hospice care is a choice that can provide patients and their loved ones with comfort and dignity during an often difficult time. Choosing hospice care is not giving up; it is designed to help you transition to a different level of care when dealing with a life-limiting disease or condition. With Memorial Family Hospice & Palliative Care, patient care is provided at your home or any home like setting (Skilled nursing facility, Assisted Living Facility, Personal Care Home.)

Memorial Family Hospice & Palliative Care aims to:

TREAT the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our patients

PROVIDE care for patients in a nursing home, skilled nursing facility, assisted living facility or in a home-like setting.

SUPPORT family and caregivers by offering counseling and disease management education.

PROVIDE DME and medications needed to manage symptoms during end of life care.

HONORS CHOICES of the patient

Hospice services routinely covered by insurance include:

Skilled registered nurses provide wound care, medication administration, symptom management, and patient/family education

Certified nursing assistants provide assistance with activities of daily living

Licensed clinical social workers offer counseling and referrals to community resources.

Non-denominational chaplains provide spiritual and bereavement support.

Trained volunteers provide companionship per patient requests

Bereavement counselors are available up to 12 months after the death of a patient.

Short-term care at hospice appropriate facilities, including respite and inpatient care for symptom management.

How Hospice Works?

Hospice offers high quality, compassionate care to people who can no longer benefit from curative treatment. The typical hospice patient has a life expectancy of 6 months or less.

Patients benefit from Hospice when there has been a rapid health decline, despite aggressive treatment.

The patient is usually referred to hospice by a physician, but referrals can come from a family member or any other source.

What Makes Hospice Different?

Hospice care can dramatically and positively impact quality of life. The goal is to empower the individual by providing knowledge and information to facilitate decision-making.

Our clinical staff are experts in symptom management and pain control. They are passionate in providing the highest standard of comfort and care. They are committed in providing both patient and caregiver education and consultation.

Counseling and spiritual support is available to the patient as well as the family members.

Tailored spiritual support that is based on the patient’s religion, values and beliefs.

Hospice Care Team

A hospice care team is made up of various professionals who work together to provide comprehensive,
compassionate care to patients and their families. The team typically includes:

Physicians

Oversee the medical care of the patient, manage symptoms, and coordinate with other team members. They may be the patient's primary care doctor or a hospice medical director.

Nurses

Provide direct patient care, manage medications, and assist with symptom control. They are often available 24/7 to address urgent needs.

Social Workers

Offer emotional support, assist with practical needs, and help with planning, such as financial or legal issues. They also provide counseling and support for both patients and families.

Chaplain or Spiritual Care Provider

Addresses the spiritual or emotional needs of the patient and their family, regardless of religious background. They provide counseling, support, and rituals as desired.

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) or Home Health Aides

Help with personal care tasks like bathing, dressing, and mobility, providing hands-on support to the patient.

Volunteers

Offer companionship, respite for caregivers, and assistance with non-medical tasks. They provide an extra layer of support and can help with practical needs or simply be present.

Pharmacists

Ensure the correct medications are prescribed, manage pain and symptoms effectively, and provide guidance on medication use and interactions.

Bereavement Counselors

Support families during and after the patient’s passing, helping them cope with grief and loss.

Why choose Memorial Family Hospice!

Advantages in Hospice Care

Hospice care offers numerous advantages, particularly for patients with terminal illnesses and their families. Here are some key benefits:
01
Enhanced Comfort
Hospice care focuses on alleviating pain and managing symptoms to improve quality of life. This includes addressing physical discomfort as well as emotional and psychological distress.
02
Holistic Approach
The care provided is comprehensive, addressing not just physical symptoms but also emotional, spiritual, and social needs. This approach ensures that the patient’s overall well-being is considered.
03
Patient-Centered Care
Care plans are tailored to the individual’s needs and preferences, respecting their wishes and allowing them to make choices about their care and end-of-life decisions.
04
Family Support
Hospice care provides significant support to family members, including counseling, respite care, and practical assistance. This helps them cope with the stresses of caregiving and grief.
05
Quality of Life
By focusing on comfort rather than curative treatments, hospice care aims to enhance the quality of life, allowing patients to spend their remaining time in a more relaxed and fulfilling manner.
06
Continuity of Care
Hospice care offers consistent and coordinated care, often including regular visits from a multidisciplinary team. This continuity helps in managing complex symptoms and adjusting care plans as needed.
07
Home-Based Care
Many hospice services can be provided in the patient’s own home, which can be a more comfortable and familiar environment compared to a hospital or institution.
08
Emotional and Spiritual Support
Chaplains and spiritual care providers offer support tailored to the patient's beliefs and values, helping them find meaning and peace during the end-of-life process.
09
Eliminates Hospitalizations
By managing symptoms effectively at home or in a hospice facility, patients often experience fewer hospitalizations and emergency visits, which can contribute to a more peaceful end-of-life experience.
10
Bereavement Support
Hospice care includes support for families during and after the patient’s death, helping them navigate grief and adjust to life without their loved one.
Overall, hospice care aims to provide a dignified, compassionate, and supportive experience for both patients and their families during a challenging time.
Overall, hospice care aims to provide a dignified, compassionate, and supportive experience for both patients and their families during a challenging time.

Challenges in Hospice Care

Hospice care aims to provide comfort and support for patients with terminal illnesses, but there can be challenges in this setting. Some common issues include:
01
Pain Management
Ensuring effective pain relief while avoiding excessive sedation can be complex. Finding the right balance often requires close monitoring and adjustments to medications.
02
Symptom Control
Symptom Control: Managing other distressing symptoms like nausea, shortness of breath, constipation, and insomnia can be challenging and may require a multi-faceted approach.
03
Emotional and Psychological Distress
Patients and families may experience anxiety, depression, or fear about the dying process. Providing emotional and psychological support is crucial but can be demanding.
04
Communication
Clear and compassionate communication is essential but can be difficult. Patients and families may struggle with understanding the prognosis, making decisions, or expressing their needs.
05
Family Dynamics
Conflicts or differing opinions among family members about care decisions, treatment goals, or end-of-life wishes can arise. Mediating these issues requires sensitivity and diplomacy.
06
Caregiver Stress
Family caregivers may experience burnout, stress, or physical and emotional exhaustion. Providing adequate support and respite is important but can be challenging.
07
Navigating End-of-Life Decisions
Patients and families may face difficult decisions about treatments, interventions, or the preferred setting for end-of-life care. Ensuring that care aligns with the patient’s wishes requires careful guidance.
08
Financial Concerns
The costs associated with end-of-life care, even within a hospice setting, can be a burden. Addressing financial issues and providing information/ resources about insurance, benefits, and assistance programs is important.
09
Cultural and Spiritual Needs
Respecting and integrating diverse cultural and spiritual beliefs into care plans can be complex but is essential for providing holistic and respectful care.
10
Resource Limitations
Limited resources, whether related to staffing, equipment, or availability of services, can impact the quality of care and require creative solutions.
Addressing these challenges involves a collaborative approach among the hospice care team, patients, and their families to ensure that care is as supportive and comfortable as possible.
Addressing these challenges involves a collaborative approach among the hospice care team, patients, and their families to ensure that care is as supportive and comfortable as possible.
Know The Difference

HOSPITAL CARE

COMMON FEATURES

HOME CARE

HOSPICE

Your doctor may recommend HOSPICE CARE after a terminal diagnosis. When a doctor recognizes that treatment should transition from curing to caring, they will recommend hospice care.

HOSPITAL

You may be in a HOSPITAL to treat symptoms related to an illness. In a hospital, your doctor will provide curative care for a curable sickness.

HOSPICE VS PALLIATIVE CARE

What Are The Differences?

Diagnosis

Timeframe

Treatment

Location

Team

HOSPICE

PALLIATIVE

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