One of the best ways to describe the services hospice can offer is to describe the members of the hospice interdisciplinary team. Each family uses the team in slightly different ways, depending on their needs at the time. These members include the following: 

The patient and family act as central parts of the hospice team. Hospice works together with the patient and their loved ones to create a comfortable, supportive environment for the whole family. It is important for the family to keep hospice informed of all patient and care giving needs, so hospice can provide the best and most appropriate care possible.

The patient’s personal physician continues to be responsible for overseeing medical treatment. The hospice medical director, a licensed and practicing physician, consults with the other members of the team, as well as the patient’s primary physician, to provide the highest quality pain and symptom management.

Hospice nurses are experts at developing a plan of care appropriate for the specific circumstances of each patient. They also educate family members on how to assist in caring for their loved ones during this time. Nurses continuously coordinate with the other team members, the primary physician and the patient to provide the best quality of care possible for each family.

The home health aide assists with personal care needs of the patient, such as basic grooming and living assistance for those who can no longer perform these tasks alone.

The medical social worker offers comfort and support to family members as they encounter social and practical issues. This may include planning for the future, issues with coping, bereavement, finances, or coordinating community resources.

The hospice chaplain is available to support patients and families in the spiritual values associated with their own personal belief system. The chaplain can also coordinate care with the family’s own spiritual advisor.

Hospice volunteers provide respite care and companionship to patients and their caregivers.