Hospice care is patient centered and patient directed. It is one of the best examples in health care of collaboration by an interdisciplinary team dedicated to meeting the needs of the patient and family. In consultation with the patient, his or her loved ones, primary caregiver, and the patient’s own physician, the hospice team prepares an individual plan of care based on patient and family needs and goals. Direct care is provided by the primary caregiver, if available, and augmented by the hospice team. Care is provided wherever the patient calls home.

Hospice also provides medications related to comfort and the terminal diagnosis, some supplies, and durable medical equipment needed. Hospice is designed to support the care that the patient’s primary caregiver provides.

The Longwood Hospice team works together with you to develop a plan of care that meets your needs and provides you and your caregivers with care and support. The following are the services offered by each of the team members:

Hospice Medical Director

The Hospice Medical Director attends hospice team meetings and provides advice and direction for the hospice team. The Medical Director works with your attending physician and RN Case Manager to ensure that the medical care you receive is closely monitored and meets your on-going needs.

Attending Physician

Your doctor continues to play an important role in your care while you are a patient at Longwood Hospice. Your RN case Manager will be in regular communication with your physician and will make sure that he/she is aware of any changes in your condition or needs. Your physician will continue to prescribe medications for you and will be responsible for approving any changes in your plan of care.

Staff Registered Nurses

When you are admitted to Longwood Hospice, you are assigned an RN Case Manager. This nurse will provide skilled nursing visits, support and teaching to your caregiver, and also act as coordinator of your care. Nursing visits are made as necessary to monitor and control your symptoms. The frequency of visits may change throughout the course of your illness. In addition to your RN Case Manager, an on-call nurse is available by phone outside of normal business hours, to answer questions and to respond to problems. If necessary, an on-call nurse will visit you to resolve any problems that may arise outside of normal business hours.

Medical Social Workers

The Social Worker at Longwood Hospice is available to you and your caregivers to discuss the emotional challenges of serious illness. The Social Worker can also assist you with healthcare decisions, advance directives, legal matters, or access to other community resources. Soon after your admission, the Social Worker will visit you and your family to determine how to be most helpful to you during this time.

Spiritual Care

Spiritual care is provided by a chaplain who is available to visit people of all faiths or of no faith. The chaplain helps discuss spiritual issues such as fear, loss, forgiveness, anger, or spiritual questioning. The chaplain can also help with religious questions or arrange a visit by a local rabbi, priest or minister.

Volunteers

Volunteers provide a variety of services to support our patients and families. The volunteers are caring and compassionate men and women who live in the communities we serve and want to contribute to others in a meaningful way. Longwood Hospice provides and requires a comprehensive orientation and training for all volunteers as well as continuing education, ongoing support and supervision.

Nutritionist

A registered Dietician is available to provide consultation to the plan of care.