Our Team
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.
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