One of the country's most renowned experts in pain management and palliative care, Russell K. Portenoy, M.D. , will serve as chairman of the department as well as medical director for the Jacob Perlow Hospice . Since each patient's needs are unique, hospice offers individualized plans of care for every patient. Hospice uses an interdisciplinary team, which includes physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors, special therapists, clergy and volunteers, to help the patients and their families with their physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. At the Jacob Perlow Hospice, a member of this team is always available by phone, on call 24 hours every day. Pain control is one of the most important concerns and, for many patients, this means the use of medication.
Hospice strives to relieve pain without impairing the patient's alertness.
Other ways hospice workers help make patients more comfortable through a wide variety of therapies and treatment modalities. The end of life does not have to be experienced solely as a time of pain, fear, loneliness, and anxiety. Hospice promotes the broad principle of palliative care and focuses on quality of life, thereby turning the end of life into an important time of living. Being in the home with family members gives patients comfort and security, and relieves feelings of isolation. By allowing patients to live life fully and make their own decisions, hospice provides them dignity and respect.