 The Valir Hospice Care Team
Valir Hospice Care uses an interdisciplinary team approach to provide patients and their families with a higher standard of care. Our physicians, nurses (RNs and LPNs), certified home health aides (CHHAs), social workers, bereavement counselors, chaplains and volunteers all work together to provide customized plans of medical, emotional and spiritual care.
Roles and Responsibilities of the Team
Each team member has special knowledge and expertise in hospice care. Patients and their families are encouraged to think of themselves as part of this team and to speak freely and openly with any team member at any time. It is our belief that such candor and transparency help foster the best possible results.
Depending on a patient's personal needs and wishes, he or she may see some team members more often than others. Below is a list of the roles and responsibilities for each professional caregiver assigned to a patient's interdisciplinary team.
Medical Director
- Treats the patient's physical symptoms
- Treats other ordinary medical problems
- Explains the disease and dying process
- Answers medical questions
- Helps patients and family members understand what is happening and what to expect as the illness progresses
- Helps patients live to the fullest extent and as comfortably as possible
Nurse Case Manager
- Serves as the liaison between the physician and other team members
- Informs the team of any special patient-care needs
- Ensures the patient's plan of care is well-coordinated and effective
- Fosters an environment where the patient and family can express themselves freely
- Offers comfort and support
- Educates the patient and family about the patient's illness and the dying process
- Explores medical and nonmedical options to relieve pain and other symptoms
Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Social Worker
- Identifies and communicates the patient’s preferences regarding visitors, goals, funeral planning and other issues
- Provides counseling, emotional and spiritual support to the patient and family
- Facilitates communication between the patient and family
- Plans and coordinates patient discharges and referrals
- Educates the patient and family about the patient's illness
- Explores nonmedical means of relieving pain and anxiety
- Assists with financial planning and applications for services or benefits
- Assists with advance directives and other legal documents
Bereavement Counselor
- Explores what death means to the patient and each family member
- Promotes understanding of the grieving process
- Identifies emotional stumbling blocks that interfere with communication
Chaplain
Serves and assists with spiritual matters in a nondenominational and interfaith capacity
Contacts the patient’s or family’s faith-related community leaders or clergy, as requested
Helps facilitate family discussions
Talks with the patient and family members about spiritual and religious concerns
Talks about the patient's readiness to die and belief in an afterlife
Helps with funeral or memorial service planning
Addresses fears, doubts, anger and other emotions, including issues of guilt and forgiveness
Discusses religious differences within the family
Nutritionist-Dietitian
- Helps the patient identify foods that are appealing and nutritious and that are easy to chew, swallow and digest
- Talks to family about changes in the patient’s appetite and nutritional needs
- Helps the patient and family use mealtimes as a way to strengthen relationships
Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA)
- Provides personal care, such as assistance with bathing and grooming
- Provides assistance with eating and drinking
- Reports any significant changes or symptoms to the patient's assigned nurse
Volunteer Coordinator
The volunteer coordinator arranges for volunteers to assist with the following functions:
- Provides companionship
- Provides assistance with reading, writing letters, listening to music, and other activities
- Runs errands
- Relieves the caregiver
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