At Hospice of Douglas County, care is provided by a team of health care professionals who are skilled at serving people with life-limiting illnesses. Our hospice team works together to meet the medical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their families.
Your Hospice of Douglas County team includes the following:
Medical Director
The Medical Director has overall medical responsibility for patient care. The director works with the patient’s physician and other medical professions to develop a care plan that meets the patient’s specific needs.
Physician
We encourage and include the patient’s personal physician in our team approach and in planning patient care. The physician will work in collaboration with our Medical Director to assure patients receive excellent care and continuity.
Nurses
A registered nurse is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days of the week and is responsible for the patient’s care and manages the patient’s needs. They visit the patient as often as necessary and make arrangements for medication and equipment. Additionally, registered nurses provide support and valuable information to family members on how to care for their loved one.
Hospice Aides
Hospice aides assist with day-to-day personal care, such as bathing and grooming. With regular visits, they also become a source of comfort, emotional support and companionship for patients and their families.
Social Workers
Our team of social workers lends support with non-medical concerns, such as legal and financial issues, access to community resources and future planning. They also address social and psychological needs by providing comfort and support to patients and family members who are dealing with stressful issues related to a life-limiting illness.
Music & Massage Therapists
Holding a unique role in our hospice team, the music and massage therapists provide patients with treatments that often bring them much welcomed physical and psychological relief from the ravages of their disease. Their treatments also reduce stress which helps patients deal with end-of-life issues.
Chaplains
Chaplains offer spiritual support directly or in collaboration with the patient and family's clergy or spiritual counselor. Our chaplains honor the diversity in religious beliefs and backgrounds of all of our patients.
Bereavement Coordinators
Bereavement support is offered by our team to address the phases of grief and acceptance. Our bereavement coordinators provide this service to families for at least one year after the patient has died. They also can help guide family members through other issues necessary to address after death.
Volunteers
Our compassionate and highly trained volunteers are giving of their time and talents and help in many ways from offering companionship, grief counseling to running errands. Hospice volunteers also provide respite for caregivers.
Pharmacists and Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists
Hospice of Douglas County works in coordination with Douglas County Hospital to provide patients with quality pharmaceutical information and the appropriate physical, occupational and speech therapy.