Search Hospice    The Basics of Hospice CareHospice Affirms LifeHospice of the Bluegrass affirms life. The program exists to provide support and care for persons in the last phase of an incurable disease so that they can live as fully and comfortably as possible. Dying is recognized as a normal process, and death is neither hastened nor postponed. Hospice, which is not a place but a concept of care, exists in the hope and belief that, through appropriate care and the promotion of a caring community sensitive to their needs, patients and families may be free to attain a degree of mental and spiritual preparation for death that is satisfactory to them. Hospice Is a TeamThe team includes multi-disciplinary professionals, as well as, the patient and family. Choosing hospice allows the patient, along with the family, to be in charge of treatment decisions. The patient's own physician works with the Hospice team and remains responsible for the plan of care. The Hospice nurse performs an evaluation, carefully assessing medical problems. The nurse makes regular home visits and teaches the family how best to care for the patient. A nurse is always on-call to answer questions or provide nursing care. The social worker assesses the patient and/or family's need for counseling, social services, and/or financial assistance. The chaplain provides spiritual care, but does not replace the family's own minister or priest. If needed, Hospice augments the team with a certified nursing assistant, who can provide personal care, a trained volunteer and in some cases, lawyers, dentists, speech, physical, and occupational therapists, and other professionals to provide additional services and counseling. A bereavement counselor provides support for family members and friends during the patient's illness and for a year following the death. Hospice: It's About How You Live!
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