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Hospice Team

We realize that every person’s needs are different. We work with patients, their families and their attending physicians to create a plan of care based on individualized needs and wishes, and to help guide our patients and their families through their hospice journey.

Patients and their loved ones are supported by a dedicated team of professionals who work together to help manage the pain and symptoms associated with the illness, and provide personal, respectful care and assistance. This includes emotional and spiritual support. We also teach our patients and their family about the disease and what to expect in future stages, as well as about medicines and ways to increase comfort.

In addition to the patient’s own primary physician, Community Hospice team members provide:

  • Hospice Team and Services
    • Physician services
      • Our physicians and advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) have extensive training in pain and symptom management, and the emotional concerns associated with end-of-life care. They oversee the plan of care, prescribe medications and consult regularly with other members of the team.
    • Nursing services
      • Patients and families are assigned a primary nurse, who is a registered nurse responsible for managing the plan of care and leading the care team. The nurse will provide compassionate and skilled nursing care, working closely with the patient and our medical staff to manage pain and symptoms, individualize the plan of care, and inform and support loved ones. Other registered nurses and licensed practical nurses may assist the primary nurse with patient care.
    • Psychosocial services
      • Experienced psychosocial professionals will nurture and care for the patient and their loved ones’ emotional and grief needs throughout all stages of the illness. They also will be available to provide counseling and assistance to address social and economic needs, assist with nursing home or respite placement, if needed, as well as discuss advance directives.
    • Certified Nursing Assistant services
      • Our hospice aides are certified professionals and have specialized training in end-of-life care. They can provide added comfort by assisting with personal care needs, including bathing, feeding and changing bed linens.
    • Chaplain services
      • Community Hospice chaplains are available at the request of patients to provide spiritual support and to connect with their own faith community. Our chaplains take a non-denominational approach to providing spiritual support, without imposing their own personal religious beliefs or practices on those they support.
    • Volunteer support

      • Community Hospice volunteers can play an important role in helping our patients and their families during this time. Volunteers are available to provide companionship and assistance by running errands, giving caregivers a break during the day or simply being there to listen.

        Spiritual care volunteers are available to pray with and for a patient, read from any religious book of the patient’s choosing, and be supportive of the patient’s faith. Other specialized volunteers can provide complementary services, such as gentle touch, hand massage, relaxation exercises and pet therapy.

        All Community Hospice volunteers are carefully selected, screened and trained to assure quality support. Patients, their loved ones or family caregivers may call the nurse or psychosocial specialist to request a volunteer.

    • Medical equipment and supplies related to the care of the hospice diagnosis

      • Community Hospice provides patients with medical supplies and durable medical equipment (DME) necessary for their care. Our own dedicated, trained staff of DME technicians has a caring, gentle approach to delivering equipment during this sensitive time.

        The DME provided is based on the individualized plan of care, and may include:

        • Hospital beds
        • Specialty mattresses
        • Oxygen concentrators
        • Portable oxygen
        • Wheelchairs and walkers
        • Nebulizers
        • Over-bed tables
        • Bedside commodes
        • Shower chairs
        • A wide variety of other specialty equipment

        Community Hospice DME staff are familiar with the supplies and equipment often needed for our patients, and are available to provide:

        • Compassionate, prompt service
        • Equipment set-up and installation
        • Replenishment of medical supplies, as needed
        • Instruction in the use, maintenance and safety requirements for the equipment provided
        • Timely pickup of medical equipment
        • Prompt response when medical equipment needs maintenance or repair
        • A resource for medical equipment questions and concerns
    • Drugs for symptom management and pain relief related to the hospice diagnosis

      • Community Hospice provides medications for treatment of symptoms related to the hospice diagnosis and in accordance with the patient’s individualized plan of care.

        Our physicians and pharmacists are experts in pain and symptom control. Medications are reviewed with the Community Hospice medical director and by the Community Hospice pharmacist as part of a comprehensive assessment to ensure the best symptom management possible.

        Comfort Kit to the Rescue

        Upon admission to our program, Community Hospice issues a “comfort kit” containing emergency medications to quickly comfort patients in a time of crisis. This sealed package houses a small quantity of several medications historically needed on an urgent basis for many patients when symptoms, such as constipation, pain, anxiety, nausea or vomiting, occur.

        By contacting the Community Hospice 24/7 Patient Priority Line, a nurse reviews the situation and, upon an order from our physician, may instruct patients to open and use a medication from the comfort kit.

    • Bereavement Experts
      • Community Hospice employs licensed mental health professionals to provide assistance to your family and friends through information and events, counseling and therapeutic support groups. Bereavement support is available for up to 13 months after a loss.
    • Additional Team Members
      • Depending on the individualized plan of care, additional team members may include a physical therapist, speech therapist, occupational therapist, respiratory therapist, wound care specialist or dietician.

Call for Help

Request Care
904.407.6500 (866.253.6681 toll-free)

Main Number
904.268.5200 (800.274.6614 toll-free)

904.268.5200 (800.274.6614 toll-free)