Hospitalization
When a patient’s condition temporarily requires more intensive medical care than can be provided in the home, special homelike hospice inpatient care is available. Family members are encouraged to stay with the patient as much as they desire and to bring favorite meals or personal belongings to enhance patient comfort.

Hospice / Palliative Caregivers
Because each patient’s needs are different, caregivers work with family members, the patient’s physician and the program’s Medical Director to develop an individualized plan of care and support.
The caregiving team includes the following members: Registered Nurses coordinate the overall plan of care and teach the patient and primary caregiver how to give medication and perform other necessary treatments. In addition to making planned visits, nurses are available on-call to patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Home Health Aides/Homemakers provide patients with personal care such as bathing, changing bed linens, hair and mouth care, and assistance with exercise. Social Workers and Counselors counsel patients and families regarding personal, family and financial concerns and coordinate needed community resources. Dietitians counsel patients and families regarding special nutritional needs. Chaplains work closely with family clergy and provide spiritual counseling and emotional support when needed. Volunteers assist with a variety of tasks for which they are specially trained, and provide respite for the primary caregiver. Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists assist as needed to help patients make the most of limited physical abilities.
Other services of St. Luke’s Hospital are also available, as appropriate.

Bereavement Follow-Up
Members of the caregiving team continue to work with the family members following the death of a loved one, to help them cope with their loss. Family and one-on-one counseling is available, as are referrals to outside agencies, when needed.