Frequently Asked Questions Edward Martin, MD , is the director of Hospice Care of Rhode Island s Philip Hulitar Center . A graduate of Brown University School of Medicine, Martin has been with Hospice Care of Rhode Island for 14 years and with the Hulitar Center since it opened six years ago. Below, Martin answers 6 common questions about hospice. In a life-threatening illness there is usually a gradual realization that a family needs help caring for the patient. In our experience, the sooner the hospice team can begin to augment the physician s care, the easier it is for patients to receive consistent treatment.
Many people are surprised to find that the focus of hospice is on helping the patient to live fully.
We can help the patient and family with daily personal care, medication, and other needs. You can speak to your physician about hospice, or you can contact Hospice Care of Rhode Island directly and we will speak with your physician about providing care. We make every attempt to keep patients at home. Sometimes that means sending a nurses aide to help with bathing and other personal care, a volunteer or social worker for emotional support, a nurse to monitor medications, even the medical director is available to make home visits if a patient s own doctor is unable to. We do this as often as it s necessary and at whatever time of day or night it s necessary.