Hospice Services
Hospice care concentrates on quality of life rather than trying to increase quantity of life. Even though a disease is incurable, much can be done to ease pain and suffering while at the same time involving family members in the patient’s care.
The VNA Family Hospice service employs a caring, compassionate staff that is sensitive to the patient’s wishes and family’s needs. The professional staff is skilled and expertly trained in pain management, and other aspects of care. Members of the Hospice staff are available by telephone 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
The Hospice team can provide an array of supports such as:
Nursing and Related Services
- In-home coordination by an RN Case Manager of your medical care with your doctor, expert pain management, and emotional and culturally sensitive spiritual support
- Training of your family members to provide basic care and support, as appropriate
- Medicines, and medical supplies and equipment, necessary for your illness to make you as comfortable as possible
- Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapies and Nutritional Counseling by licensed Therapists for symptom control
- Massage therapy by a licensed Massage Therapist
- Coordination of in-patient services
Personal Care
- Help with personal care needs by a Home Health Aide such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, etc.
- Light housekeeping
Counseling and Linkage to Community Resources
- Assistance by a Social Worker in dealing with the psycho-social aspects of terminal illness.
- Help with learning coping strategies
- Coordination of local community resources for support such as meal delivery, personal emergency response services, or other practical matters.
Companionship
- Companionship by formally trained Hospice Volunteers such as reading, writing letters or messages to loved ones, creating photo albums, doing arts and crafts, conducting music, pet or aroma therapy, or simply visiting and reminiscing
- Support to the primary caregiver and hospice staff
Spiritual Services
- Providing for or assisting with spiritual needs and concerns as desired by a Hospice Chaplain;
- Arranging for religious sacraments or other rites
- Memorial services. This very moving service enables families to honor the memories of their loved one while sharing some fellowship with other families. A special song was written and recorded by long-time Family Hospice supporter, Anthony Frazier, and he graciously returns to sing it the service each year. To listen to his recording, please click on the links below:
1. Original Version
https://soundcloud.com/user-924658400/memories-wings-orgver
2. Contemporary Version
https://soundcloud.com/user-924658400/memories-wings-contempver
3.String Version
https://soundcloud.com/user-924658400/memories-wings-stringver
Bereavement Care
- Bereavement counseling and support groups for families for at least a year following the passing of a loved one
- Support in dealing with the range of physical, emotional, social, economic and spiritual disruptions that can occur as a result of the death of a family member