About Us
Who needs hospice and who is eligible?
Choosing a Hospice
Our Services
Our Facilities
Hospice in Nursing Homes
Frequently Asked Questions
For Medical Professionals
How You Can Help
Employment
The Continuum Bereavement Center
Our Mission
Open Access
IDT Teams (Patient care teams)
Our Leadership
Each hospice patient and his or her family are cared for by a team of specialists. These interdisciplinary teams (IDTs) include physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social workers, counselors, special therapists, clergy and volunteers, all specially trained in end-of-life care. The IDTs meet regularly and work together to help our patients and their families with their physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. A member of the interdisciplinary team is on call 24 hours a day. The teams include:
- A specially trained hospice physician to oversee the patient's care and to treat the patient for pain and other symptoms. In addition, the patient's own doctor may consult with our physicians on the patient's disease and, when appropriate, other specialists may be brought in.
- Nurses are the primary contact for patients. In addition to their medical duties, nurses order and coordinate all services, such as medication, home health aides, supplies, etc.
- A social worker is assigned to each patient and family for counseling and to help them cope. The social worker makes financial assessments and, when necessary, referrals for food stamps, housing, or other services. The social worker also helps the family with funeral arrangements in advance of death.
- Home health aides are available, when necessary, to help with chores of daily living, such as meals, bathing, and wound dressing.
- Volunteers visit for companionship or caregiver respite.
- Chaplains for any denomination provide spiritual support for patients and families.
- A hospice doula, to comfort the patient and family in the patient's final hours.
- Specialists in other areas, such as nutrition, physical, and speech therapy, join the IDT as needed, as well as complementary and alternative medicine specialists, such as art and music therapists.
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