As Mr. Smith's condition has deteriorated, the support and hope of his family and friends have increased the burden of responsibility felt by his physician. He decides to look into hospice. The physician learns that, by collaborating with a hospice team, he can continue to serve as Mr. Smith's primary caregiver, thus providing Mr. Smith and his family ongoing support, comfort, and security. Mr. Smith chooses home-base hospice care, which involves regular individual and group visits from an interdisciplinary team to assess and respond to his physical, emotional, and spiritual needs and to those of his family. Hospice nurses are available around the clock to take calls from patients and family members, to coordinate individualized care plans, and to provide specialized palliative care services.
Nurses remain in constant communication with the physician.
Hospice social workers offer emotional support, counseling, and community resource support services. Spiritual care coordinators help identify spiritual concerns. Home health aides assist with personal care. Physical, occupational, and speech therapists provide palliative care according to the individualized care plan, and bereavement coordinators offer support to Mr. Smith and his family throughout the dying process, including follow-up for the family after the patient's death. By choosing the hospice alternative, Mr. Smith's needs were attended to and his pain was managed conscientiously, enabling him to prolong the quality of his life.