Hospice Care
We believe that life is sacred and the dignity of each person deserves our respect and care throughout life including a natural death. We realize that coping with end-of-life issues can be difficult for everyone involved. That’s why Dignity Health Hospice is committed to providing compassionate and supportive care to our patients and their loved ones.
We strive to create an environment of calm and professionalism in a stressful and difficult situation.
What is Hospice Care?
Dignity Health Hospice is a team of health care professionals that works together to care for and support patients and families who face a life-limiting illness. Hospice brings health professionals to your home, wherever that may be.
Hospice care involves a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, symptom and pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient’s needs.
Our primary goal is to fulfill our patients’ wishes and to support their families and caregivers. Hospice can help the patient maintain the highest quality of life possible. We strive to care for the whole person, not just the disease.
Dignity Health Hospice also provides bereavement services for a full year after a loss. Our trained bereavement team offers support to help families and caregivers cope with the loss of a loved one.
The Dignity Health Hospice Team
Our interdisciplinary team of health care professionals, under the direction of the patient’s attending physician and the hospice medical director, follows a treatment plan that meets the physical and psychosocial needs of the patient and their family or caregivers.
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Hospice nurses –assist with physical care, medication management and symptom management.
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Home health aides –can help with bathing and personal care.
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Chaplains –are available for spiritual and emotional support.
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The Bereavement Program –provides compassionate and supportive care to families and caregivers both before and after the death of a loved one. There are a variety of support groups available as well as individual counseling.
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Medical social workers –provide emotional, psychological support and counseling for patient and family members. They also assist with funeral arrangements and access to necessary community services.
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Homemakers –can offer light housekeeping services and occasional respite for primary caregivers.
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Dieticians –can assist the patient and family with concerns related to end-of-life eating and nutrition.
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Trained volunteers –provide respite or companionship so caregivers can get rest, run errands, etc. Volunteers also provide emotional support, perform light chores, run errands, and provide massage and music for relaxation.
Requests for Hospice care may originate from patients, families, friends, physicians, hospital case managers or community agencies.
Dignity Health Hospice services are covered by most private insurance, Medi-Cal and Medicare. We know how to help.
For questions about our Home Health, Hospice or Infusion services call 1-800-549-9609 (on-call 24 hours)
