Our Team
Brookhaven
Care
Hospice care is patient centered and patient directed. It is one of the
best examples in health care of collaboration by an interdisciplinary
team dedicated to meeting the needs of the patient and family. In
consultation with the patient, his or her loved ones, primary caregiver,
and the patient’s own physician, the hospice team prepares an individual
plan of care based on patient and family needs and goals. Direct care is
provided by the primary caregiver, if available, and augmented by the
hospice team. Care is provided wherever the patient calls home.
Hospice also provides medications related to comfort and the terminal
diagnosis, some supplies, and durable medical equipment needed. Hospice
is designed to support the care that the patient’s primary caregiver
provides.
The Brookhaven Hospice team works together with you to develop a plan of
care that meets your needs and provides you and your caregivers with
care and support. The following are the services offered by each of the
team members:
Hospice Medical Director
The Hospice Medical Director attends hospice team meetings and provides
advice and direction for the hospice team. The Medical Director works
with your attending physician and RN Case Manager to ensure that the
medical care you receive is closely monitored and meets your on-going
needs.
Attending Physician
Your doctor continues to play an important role in your care while you
are a patient at Brookhaven Hospice. Your RN case Manager will be in
regular communication with your physician and will make sure that he/she
is aware of any changes in your condition or needs. Your physician will
continue to prescribe medications for you and will be responsible for
approving any changes in your plan of care.
Staff
Registered Nurses
When you are admitted to Brookhaven Hospice, you are assigned an RN Case
Manager. This nurse will provide skilled nursing visits, support and
teaching to your caregiver, and also act as coordinator of your care.
Nursing visits are made as necessary to monitor and control your
symptoms. The frequency of visits may change throughout the course of
your illness. In addition to your RN Case Manager, an on-call nurse is
available by phone outside of normal business hours, to answer questions
and to respond to problems. If necessary, an on-call nurse will visit
you to resolve any problems that may arise outside of normal business
hours.
Medical Social Workers
The Social Worker at Brookhaven Hospice is available to you and your
caregivers to discuss the emotional challenges of serious illness. The
Social Worker can also assist you with healthcare decisions, advance
directives, legal matters, or access to other community resources. Soon
after your admission, the Social Worker will visit you and your family
to determine how to be most helpful to you during this time.
Spiritual Care
Spiritual care is provided by a chaplain who is available to visit
people of all faiths or of no faith. The chaplain helps discuss
spiritual issues such as fear, loss, forgiveness, anger, or spiritual
questioning. The chaplain can also help with religious questions or
arrange a visit by a local rabbi, priest or minister.
Volunteers
Volunteers provide a variety of services to support our patients and
families. The volunteers are caring and compassionate men and women who
live in the communities we serve and want to contribute to others in a
meaningful way. Brookhaven Hospice provides and requires a comprehensive
orientation and training for all volunteers as well as continuing
education, ongoing support and supervision.
Bereavement Counselor
Brookhaven Hospice provides bereavement services including support
groups, letters, and calls or visits to support families and caregivers
experiencing a loss. We continue to provide support for at least a year,
or longer if needed and requested, after the loss of a loved one.
Home Health Aides
Home health aides are provided to give personal care under the
supervision of your RN Case Manager. Home health aides are assigned
based on the personal care needs identified in your plan of care.
Nutritionist
A registered Dietician is available to provide consultation to the plan
of care.