HOW DOES HOSPICE CARE WORK?
Hospice care is provided by an interdisciplinary team of professionals, with Physicians, Nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants, Social Workers, Dieticians, Pastoral Counselors and Volunteers working together to provide a full range of services. This Team, along with the patient's physician, work with the patient and family to develop an individual plan of care to manage the patient's symptoms and to meet the goals of the patient and family. The plan outlines the medical and support services required such as nursing care, personal care (dressing, bathing, etc.), social services, physician visits, counseling, and homemaker services. It also identifies the medical equipment, tests, procedures, medication and treatments necessary to provide high-quality comfort care.

THE HOSPICE TEAM
Typically, a family member serves as the primary caregiver and, when appropriate, helps make decisions for the terminally ill individual. Members of the hospice staff make regular visits to assess the patient and provide additional care or other services. Hospice staff are on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.


Members of the team include:

PHYSICIANS
The Hospice Medical Director and Associate Medical Directors are available to provide consultation to patients and/or the patient's Personal Physician. They work in conjunction with other team members to ensure patients' goals are being met.  Hospice Physicians can be reached by Hospice staff members twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week for crisis or emergency situations.

NURSES
Registered Nurses are responsible for coordinating all services for patients. Direct nursing servicesinclude assessment, teaching, administering medications, evaluation of the disease process, emotional support for the patient and the family and other treatments as ordered by the Physician. Nursing services emphasize palliative (comfort) care to relieve distressful symptoms. Hospice Nurses, both Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses, make visits to the patient's place of residence as often as needed. Nurses are also on call twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, to respond promptly to any questions or problems. Generations Hospice Nurses are licensed by the State of Louisiana and adhere to all professional standards of practice.

CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS
Certified Nursing Assistants are available as needed to provide personal care to the patient such as giving showers, baths, providing skin care and personal hygiene. He or she can assist in activities of daily living, may fix a light meal for the patient or perform light housekeeping duties. The Nursing Assistant works under the supervision of the Registered Nurse.

SOCIAL WORKERS
Social Workers, with a Master's level or higher education, licensed by the State of Louisiana, assist patients and families by providing emotional support and assistance with advance directives, living wills, durable power of attorney, do not resuscitate and healthcare surrogate information. They explore community resources, provide counseling services for individuals and families, and assist with grief and loss issues.

CHAPLAINS
Hospice Chaplains coordinate the spiritual aspect of the program. The goal is to provide pastoral care to meet the patient's spiritual needs, as requested by the patient and family. Pastoral Counselors work in conjunction with the patient's clergy to provide emotional and spiritual support to patients and families.

VOLUNTEERS
Dedicated men and women are available to assist patients and families in many ways such as staying with patients to provide respite for family members, running short errands for patients, or grocery shopping for the family. If you are interested in having a volunteer, please discuss this with your Nurse or Social Worker.

BEREAVEMENT COUNSELORS
Hospice Bereavement Counselors offer support designed to serve the needs of surviving family members. Individual and family counseling, as well as support groups are available. Social Workers and Pastoral Counselors are involved in bereavement support as well. The frequency of visits of each team member is determined by patient/family need. The Hospice Nurse will discuss this during her/his initial visit. An individual care plan will also be established and modified as needed.

SPEECH, PHYSICAL AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Speech Therapists, Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists, licensed by the State of Lousiana, provide needed therapy when indicated.