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Interdisciplinary hospice team

Nurses

The hospice nurses assess the patient’s health status, tend to medical needs, treat and monitor the physical symptoms of the disease progression and counsel the family on caring for the patient. Nurses are available by telephone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and make home visits as needed.
Case manager – is the nurse who is the primary coordinator of care. She/he is a registered nurse (RN), many of whom are also certified hospice and palliative care specialists.
Triage nurse – assists the case manager and answers the hospice phone lines 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Visit nurse – assists the case manager by working weekends and vacations.
Continuous care nurses – are only assigned during a medical crisis meeting Medicare criteria for use.

Social worker Social work services are available to patients and their families. Services may include patient counseling, family or caregiver counseling, financial and legal information (i.e. power of attorney, family leave act, money management, social security application, etc.), identification of community resources, discharge planning, children’s support resources and patient/family advocacy. Home health aide Home health aides are trained and certified to assist with personal care to the patient in the home. They are available for patients for personal hygiene assistance such as bathing, shaving, dressing changes, linen changes and to provide household services in those areas of the house used by the patient so that it remains a safe and sanitary environment. Home health aide services are under the supervision of the nurse case manager with a written plan of care Spiritual care coordinator Spiritual care is an inclusive service and available throughout your involvement with hospice, regardless of faith affiliation, religious or cultural background and spiritual or personal views. The spiritual care coordinator provides emotional and spiritual support and counsel with a compassionate presence. They listen to the stories of a person’s life or to their spiritual concerns in ways that affirm their individual dignity and worth. A spiritual care coordinator can collaborate with your spiritual leader to ensure that you receive the best spiritual support possible.

Physician

Your primary physician is contacted at the time of admission to approve admission to hospice. She/he continues to manage the medical aspects of hospice care. This means that your doctor is updated regularly by the hospice nurse. Hospice will keep your physician informed about how things are going at home.
Hospice physician – is also part of the care team. This is a medical doctor who meets weekly with the hospice team to provide medical input and advice.
Medical Director – is a physician who is certified by the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. This physician is also available to your primary care physician and the hospice team for medical input and advice. At times, the Medical Director, will also manage certain aspects of the care, in cooperation with the primary physician and the patient and family.

Volunteers

Volunteers are available to help in many ways, such as providing transportation to and from medical appointments, caregiver respite, companionship and emotional support, light housework or periodic meal preparation and other light chores. Some of our volunteers have specialized skills in massage therapy, healing touch therapy, music therapy and hair care. A volunteer coordinator on your hospice team will call you to discuss how a volunteer might assist. We try to match the needs of the patient with the skills and interests of the volunteer. All Allina volunteers undergo a careful screening and interview process, including a criminal background check and are trained and supervised by hospice staff.

Grief counselors

During the year after a death, support services and resources are available for the primary contact person and other family members. Every family member will be contacted by mail following the death and every mail contact includes the name and phone number of grief counselors at Allina Home & Community Services. Some of the resources available are booklets and bibliographies, referral lists for local support groups, phone counselors, volunteer grief support visitors and grief counselors. Allina Home & Community Services sponsors a web and phone grief support service. The phone number is 651-628-1752. This is not a crisis line. It is a resource for the community about groups, counselors and books.

Music therapist

A music therapist is available as a complimentary approach to address physical, emotional, mental and social needs of patients and their families. The music therapist will use a variety of singing, melody and percussion instruments or recorded music. The music therapy sessions may focus on music making, listening, composition, talking about lyrics or focusing on symptom management in order to reach comfort goals. Music therapists are available on a limited basis. Talk directly with your case manager to see what approach is best for your particular situation.

Massage therapist

A massage therapist is available as a complimentary approach to help manage pain, reduce stress and improve circulation or mobility through professional, nurturing touch. The massage therapist will create a series of massage sessions to suite each patient’s needs and preferences. Whether the sessions are designed to address specific symptoms or to promote general well being, an enhanced quality of life is the goal. Massage may also be recommended for family or caregivers to help reduce stress or anxiety. Massage therapists are available on a limited basis. Talk directly with your case manager to see what approach is best for your particular situation.

How hospice care works
 

Allina Home & Community Services
1055 Westgate Drive, Suite 100
Saint Paul, MN 55114
651-635-9173
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