IDT - Interdisciplinary Team

The Interdisciplinary Team consists of members of the Hospice team that develops the initial Plan of Care, an outline of the care and hospice IDT perceives as necessary to meet the needs of patients and families. The IDT team reviews and updates the existing Plan of Care at a minimum of every 2 weeks.

Support Groups

The Bereavement Support Group provides a safe place for the bereaved to tell their story and share their grief. The group provides an opportunity for mutual support and also for sharing of valuable resources.

Criteria for Hospice

• Diagnosis of a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less (based on the assessment of the Primary Care Physician) and comparison to established Medicare guidelines.
• Hospice is ordered by the patients physician and the Hospice Medical Director agrees Hospice is appropriate.
• Patient is no longer seeking curative care (treating disease), instead desires palliative care (treating symptoms)
• Patient has a primary caregiver, or plans for a primary caregiver, who can provide care at home or in a homelike setting when the patient requires that care

Bereavement

Bereavement care services address family and significant others' grief and bereavement responses and addresses needs at physical, emotional, social, and spiritual levels.  The Bereavement Coordinator ensures that the grief and loss needs of patients families - both before and after the patients passing - receive appropriate attention and integration into the Plan of Care.

Volunteers

Hospice volunteers are adult men and women of all ages and backgrounds who offer their time to assist the Hospice team with patient care and family support.  Hospice volunteers can provide precious respite time to weary family members and offer comfort and support to patients simply by beng there.  Hospice volunteers enhance the quality of life for those receiving Hospice care.