The Mayers Memorial Hospital District Hospice program offers special services to patients and their families at a very critical time in their lives.

The following members comprise the hospice team:

Physician – The patient’s own physician certifies the patient as appropriate for the hospice program. They sign the nurses’ plan of care, approve of all changes and writes prescriptions. The nurse keeps the doctor informed of changes and they will continue to see the patient as appropriate.

Hospice Managing Coordinator – The coordinator is designated by the hospital administrator and in charge of the day-to-day operations of the hospice program also leading the weekly interdisciplinary team meetings and supervisor of the hospice staff.

Nurse – The nurses’ ongoing responsibility is to monitor and help relieve pain and other symptoms of the patient to maintain as good of a quality of life as the disease process allows. They also educate the caregivers on how to attend to the patient’s physical needs. A nurse provides a vital link between the patient and the physician and is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to the changing physical needs of the patient. The nurses’ visits are flexible, once a week if the patient is stable or as much as daily if the needs increase.

Medical Social Worker – The social worker designee counsels patients and caregivers for coping with the disease process, the terminal prognosis, or other emotional concerns. The social needs of the family are addressed as needed. The designee will also help:

• Get financial and legal affairs in order, including assisting with Durable Powers of Attorney for Healthcare
• Help with handling practical matters such as hiring help or connecting with a community service agency
• Guidance on making needed mortuary arrangements

Chaplain – The hospice chaplains address the broad spiritual needs of the patients and families providing the kind of support, meaningful rituals or comfort important to those involved. Chaplains may coordinate with other local ministers, priests, rabbis or spiritual leaders of any faith to meet the specific wishes of a patient or family members.

Home Health Aide – The aide provides personal care needed by the patient and range from bathing, oral hygiene, skin care, linen changes, or other related activities to help comfort the patient relieving some of the burden of the caregivers. Visits can be daily or several times a week giving "hands-on" care and viewed as a welcome and valued team member.

Volunteers – Volunteers have been the backbone of hospices since the programs began providing a range of assistance to patient and/or family ranging from:

• Emotional support to the dying person
• Respite for the overwhelmed caregiver
• Helping with chores (doing dishes, getting groceries, yard work and the like)
• Bereavement consolation to the loved ones after the person has died.

Other volunteers are essential helping to coordinate fund-raising activities, office help, mailings, etc. The volunteer screening, training, and assignments are directed by the Volunteer Coordinator.

Bereavement Services – The Volunteer Coordinator will follow up as indicated on the Medical Social Worker's (MSW) Initial Bereavement Assessment to help grieving loved ones. Under the direction of the MSW the coordinator will help with one-to-one comfort through volunteers and others as outlined in the Bereavement Services policy which can aid families in dealing with sadness and the sense of loss. Support groups and/or a trained coordinator facilitates these groups.

Physical Therapy – The therapist’s role is to provide skilled guidance in teaching transfer techniques, range-of-motion exercises, and related physical therapy services to help patients maintain independence and quality of life in terms of mobility.

Dietary – A registered dietician provides guidance to the patients, families, and nursing staff to promote adequate nutritional intake by the patient in relation to his/her disease process. Information and ideas about nutritional supplements, food preparation, etc. helps patient maintain their abilities through dietary means.

Arranged Services – Mayers Memorial Hospital District Hospice contracts for the provision of the following: occupational and speech therapy, supplies, pharmaceuticals, durable medical equipment, and outpatient services such as labs, etc.

Support Staff – Secretarial support team members help the entire program to function effectively although there may be little or no direct patient contact.

Contact – Pat Baremore, RN, Hospice Director - 530.336.5511
pbaremore@mayersmemorial.com