At the end of a long, progressive illness, nights especially can be very long, lonely and scary. So, hospices have a staff available around the clock to consult with the family and to make night visits as appropriate. Hospice patients are cared for by a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, home health aids, clergy, therapists, and volunteers. Each provides assistance based on his or her area of expertise. In addition, hospices provide medications, supplies, equipment, hospital services related to the terminal illness, and additional helpers in the home, as appropriate.
Hospices do nothing either to speed up or slow down the dying process.
Just as doctors and midwives lend support and expertise during the time of child birth, hospice provides its presence and specialized knowledge during the dying process. Although most hospice services are delivered in a personal residence, some patients live in nursing homes or hospice centers. In addition, physical and occupational therapists can assist patients to be as mobile and self-sufficient as possible. They are often joined by specialists schooled in diet counseling, music therapy, art therapy, and other therapies. Hospice believes that emotional and spiritual pain are just as real and in need of attention as physical pain, so it addresses these, as well.