The Hospice Team HOSPICE CARE is provided by an interdisciplinary team of professionals that includes nurses, social workers, certified home health aides and chaplains as well as Hospice-trained volunteers. The patient's care is directed by his or her attending physician. How does the Hospice Care Team Work? PRIMARY PHYSICIAN makes the referral for hospice care and continues to be the patient's primary physician. MEDICAL DIRECTORS are medical doctors specifically trained in pain and symptom management who consults with team members and coordinates the patient's care when there is no primary physician NURSES provide direct patient care, perform assessments and coordinate the patient's needs. A nurse is on-call 24 hours a day 7 days a week. SOCIAL WORKERS offer support to patients and families learning to cope with a life threatening illness, provide assistance in filing insurance, accessing community resources and completing family business affairs. HOME HEALTH AIDES assist with the patient's personal care. CHAPLAINS offer spiritual care to people of all faiths. BEREAVEMENT COUNSELORS conduct grief counseling and support groups for hospice families and the community. VOLUNTEERS serve as a caring friend to the patient and family.
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