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TrinityCare Hospice works within the family at its most emotional time. It is not our role to intrude, but rather to be there to provide care and support in any capacity we can. The decision to choose hospice care is not easy, but once TrinityCare Hospice has been contacted, our intake team works to gather information and organize medicines and equipment so that hospice care can begin. A professional hospice liaison will meet with the patient and family to discuss hospice care and help them with choices. Family members are told that they are beginning a journey - which the TrinityCare Hospice team is trained to help them get through.
"You provide a wonderful and comforting service to families during a very difficult time."
Once the patient has come home, the admission nurse assesses the patient and the unique needs of individual family members. The TrinityCare Hospice team assembles to discuss all the elements of care that are necessary to support the entire family and to maximize the patient's final remaining time. Each member of the TrinityCare Hospice team has separate responsibilities, but they all work together to help the family through this extremely emotional and stressful period.
One of the areas where the work of hospice is best known is in the management of pain. A patient's pain level is very closely monitored and available pain medications and alternative therapies are implemented quickly and with expertise. The goal is to enable the patient to achieve his or her chosen level of comfort.
When end-of-life issues enter the world of the family, many people are affected. If a child is nearing death, there are siblings who become almost invisible. If a spouse is the primary caregiver, they often forget to care for themselves. A TrinityCare Hospice clinical social worker keeps a watchful eye on what the family needs to ensure that support is given so that important familiar routines are maintained.
The TrinityCare Hospice team is there throughout the end-of-life journey, and continues to extend bereavement services to family and friends for up to 13 months after the patient's death. Perhaps the most important service TrinityCare Hospice offers is to assist the family in coping with their loss and drawing upon their combined strength to move into the future.
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