Learn About Hospice

Hospice is about life! Living each day to it’s fullest – even in the face of a life-limiting illness or accident. Hospice is a compassionate, patient centered approach to medical care and support for patients and families facing end of life issues. We seek to maintain dignity, quality of life and provide physical comfort, as well as, emotional and spiritual comfort for both the patient and their family.

Hospice & Palliative Care is an Interdisciplinary Team consisting of the following:

Attending Physician – The patient’s personal physician is a key member of the Hospice Team. The attending physician is responsible for overseeing and approving the patient’s Plan of Care.

Hospice Medical Director – Along with the attending physician, the Hospice Medical Director oversees and approves the patient’s Plan of Care. The Hospice Medical Director may also serve as a patient’s attending physician when needed.

Registered Nurse – The Hospice RN serves as the patient’s Case Manager. The Nurse is responsible for the patient’s physical comfort and making recommendations to the attending physician regarding pain and symptom management.

Certified Nursing Assistant – The CNA, working under the supervision of the Hospice RN, is responsible for providing assistance with the patient’s personal care.

Social Worker – The Hospice Social Worker is responsible for the overall support of the patient and family. They can assist with financial planning and advance directives as well as emotional support and counseling.

Hospice Chaplain – The Hospice Chaplain is responsible for providing spiritual support to all patients and family members requesting such support. The Hospice Chaplain can serve as a bridge between the patient / family and their personal house of worship.

Volunteers – The Hospice Volunteer fills a very special roll in Hospice Care. Volunteers may provide companionship, respite, emotional support and offer help in many different ways.

Grief Support - Comprehensive Bereavement Services are offered to family members as well as community members dealing with loss. Bereavement Support continues to be available for up to 1 year after the loss of a loved one.

Dietitian – The Hospice Dietitian will be consulted, as needed, to improve the patient’s nutritional status when possible.

Speech, Physical and Occupational Therapists – Speech, Physical and/or Occupational Therapists will be utilized as needed to improve the patient’s quality of life.

The Hospice Team acknowledges every persons experience will be different and individualizes the Plan of Care based on the patient’s / family’s needs and goals.

Hospice is a philosophy of care rather than a place.

Hospice is meeting a patient where ever they call home. Care may be provided in their family home, long term care facility, assisted living facility or in a hospital setting.

Currently only 1 in 3 people eligible for Hospice Care receives it even though these services are fully covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial insurance plans – this includes all medications, medical supplies and equipment related to the patient’s Hospice diagnosis. Monarch Hospice’s generous donors will enable us to provide care to all persons regardless of their ability to pay.