Hospice Care Services
Hospice care provides comfort for individuals with a terminal illness or condition whereby medical treatments can no longer increase quality of life and who are approaching the last stage of life. Hospice patients will not receive aggressive treatment measures but will receive family support and intensive comfort measures to control pain and anxiety.
While most hospice patients remain in their home, skilled nursing or assisted living facilities, if a patient requires short-term acute symptom management, our hospice care team has access to inpatient facilities at both Manchester Memorial Hospital and Rockville General Hospital.
Our hospice program provides care for patients with a wide range of illnesses including, but not limited to:
- Cancer
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
- Dementia
- Endstage neurological disorders
Hospice Care Team
An interdisciplinary team approach is provided to patients and their families. The team includes:
- Bereavement coordinator
- Home health aides to assist with personal care
- Hospice medical director for consultation
- Hospice and Palliative certified and trained nurses to evaluate and manage pain and symptoms
- Medical social workers for counseling
- Nutritional support
- Patient’s physician to oversee medical care
- Physical, speech and occupational therapists
- Spiritual care coordinator
Volunteers trained in pain and symptom management and supportive care are available to provide companionship and respite care for hospice patients. In addition, they can provide complimentary services including:
- Aromatherapy
- Art, music and relaxation therapy
- Hand massage
- Living reflections
- Pet therapy
- Reiki
Insurance
Medicare and Medicaid have special Hospice benefits for patients who are enrolled in a Medicare certified hospice program. Private insurance may also cover hospice services.