The Hospice Team works collaboratively in developing and implementing an individualized hospice plan of care. Team members include the following:
Patient & Caregivers
As the most important team members, are instrumental in the development of the plan of care and in determining the type of care they desire.
Hospice Medical Director
Oversees the care of the patient, works closely with the patient’s physician, family, and other team members in the provision of hospice care and services. The Hospice Medical Director of Rockingham VNA & Hospice, Madeline “Meg” Gerken, MD, is a Medical Oncologist as well as a specialist in Palliative Care.
Hospice Nurses
Provide direct care to patients and families, and are on-call 24 hours a day. They are specialists in Hospice and Palliative Care, and provide guidance to caregivers as well as the overall coordination of care.
Medical Social Workers
Assist patients and their caregivers in coping with the many stresses associated with serious illness, and in providing assistance in areas such as accessing financial and community resources.
Home Health Aides
Help patients and their caregivers with personal care such as bathing, dressing, moving around, and light housekeeping and meal preparation.
Hospice Volunteers
Trained volunteers offer various types of support including companionship or spending time with a patient so that their caregivers may have some respite.
Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists
Provide these specialty services as needed to help patients maintain as much strength, mobility and independence as possible, and to maximize their comfort and safety level when performing daily living activities.
Spiritual Care
Is available to help provide emotional support and spiritual counseling to all patients and families who desire such services.
Bereavement Services
Are offered to family members and friends following the death of a loved one. Counseling, support groups, volunteer services, and educational materials are available to help those who have experienced loss understand and normalize their feelings of grief.
Back to Hospice Care Main Page |
