The Hospice Interdisciplinary Team
In order to meet the needs of clients and their family members, A Peaceful Journey Hospice maintains a team of professionals, trained in various disciplines, to focus on the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of the client. Clients and their caregivers are part of the team and are always invited to our plan of care meetings.
Hospice Medical Director: Our Medical Director works with your personal physician to assure that the physical aspects of your care are closely monitored and attended to so that the best possible comfort care can be achieved. The Medical Director reviews each client’s Plan of Care to make sure all needs are being met in the best possible way and makes periodic home visits to provide care. The hospice Medical Director collaborates with all members of the hospice team to ensure all of the client’s needs are being met.
Skilled Nursing: All Hospice nursing services are based on client needs and performed under a “Plan of Care” for each client. The nurse will assess your individual status and needs, perform procedures, educate you and your family regarding your terminal illness and coordinate with other clinicians and your physician to best meet the end-of-life care needs of the client and family.
Social Work: Our social workers offer emotional support, counseling, and coordination of community resources and support services, as well as helping with final arrangements. A hospice social worker is assigned to each client and family for a psychological and social assessment. Where indicated, a proper referral is made to the appropriate agency. The social worker documents the findings in the client chart and makes follow-up visits as indicated. When appropriate, client/family concerns are brought to the Interdisciplinary Team. Examples of items social workers can assist families with are as follows:
- Assisting with caregiver options when there is no primary caregiver, or the burden of care is too much for a caregiver.
- Assisting with funeral arrangements.
- Assisting Veterans to receive entitled benefits.
Spiritual Care/Chaplain: addresses spiritual and religious needs related to end-of-life care, loss, and bereavement. They coordinate and/ or provide spiritual interventions, and rituals and offer spiritual support for the client and family members.
Bereavement Services: counselor works with families to help them as they grieve the loss of their loved one. Bereavement services will be provided to the bereaved for up to 12 months following the death of a loved one. A bereavement counselor may make personal visits, phone calls, send letters, and may recommend support groups and other medical or professional assistance.
Volunteers: Opportunities for specialized care may be provided by trained Volunteers. Volunteers do many things for clients and their families such as light housework, cooking, running errands, and providing general companionship. Volunteers receive 16 hours of instruction and attend frequent in-service seminars.
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA): Provide assistance with bathing and ADLs under the direction of a registered nurse. The CNA may NOT transport you in his/ her vehicle or drive your car, prepare meals or give personal care for anyone other than you, receive gifts, and gratuities, or be personally employed while you are a client at A Peaceful Journey Hospice.
Therapists: Provided by licensed therapists and licensed therapy assistants who practice under the direction of therapists. The program includes Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy services if determined necessary.