Hospice care is provided by an interdisciplinary team of professionals, with Physicians, Pharmacists, Nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants, Social Workers, Music Therapists, Integrative Therapists, 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 unit.
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, and are available to make home visits as needed. 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.
PHARMACISTS: Hospice of Palm Beach County was the first hospice program in Florida to have its own pharmacy because medications are such vital components of hospice symptom management. The Hospice Pharmacists play an active role in patient care. They review each patient's medications and discuss them with the Hospice Nurse and Physician. They also provide education programs to the Hospice staff, local physicians and nursing schools. A Pharmacist is available to answer any of your questions.
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. Hospice of Palm Beach County Nurses are licensed by the State of Florida 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.
MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS: Medical Social Workers, licensed by the State of Florida, assist patients and families by providing emotional support and assistance with advance directives, living wills, do not resuscitate and healthcare surrogate information. They explore community resources, provide counseling services for individuals and families, conduct Caregiver Support Groups, as well as other activities for family members and friends dealing with grief and loss issues. More information regarding location and a schedule of support groups are available from the Horizons Bereavement Center located on the second floor of the Gerstenberg Hospice Center or by phone at (561) 227-5175.
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.
MUSIC THERAPISTS: As a recognized health profession, Music therapy is the use of music-centered experiences between a credentialed professional and a patient to achieve his/her therapeutic goals. Board Certified Music Therapists utilize music to meet the unique needs of our patients and their families. The music therapist forms a therapeutic bond with the patient and family and offers support from the time of admission through the last moments of life.
INTEGRATIVE THERAPISTS: Our Integrative Therapists meet the unique needs of each patient through palliative massage, aromatherapy, Reiki, relaxation training, and imagery work. Integrative Therapies do not replace traditional medical therapies; rather, they integrate with medical care that is being provided by using safe, non-medical therapies to achieve comfort and a general sense of well-being.
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.
