go to Allina Hospitals & Clinics home Careers | Contact Us | En Español | Employee Sign-in

Advanced Search


How Hospice Care Works

Setting up a plan of care

Hospice patients are cared for by a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, home health aides, clergy, therapists, and volunteers-and each provides assistance based on their area of expertise.The doctor and hospice team works with the patient and family to set up the plan of care. This plan of care spells out who will visit, how often they will come each week and what they will do. It also lists the medications, medical equipment and whatever else that will be provided.

The purpose of this plan is to give the patient and family the help they need to make the most of their remaining time together. The focus is on comfort, not cure. Here is a summary of what the hospice professionals can do to help you depending on your needs. For more information please call 651-635-9173.

 

More Support You May Need

The following help may be provided as needed depending upon your Medicare, Medicaid or health insurance plans:

  • Medical equipment and medications related to the hospice diagnosis
  • Inpatient respite care for up to five days at a time may be given when the family needs a break from their care giving roles
  • Continuous hours of nursing care may be used for crisis management that can happen at any time including a few days before death
  • Inpatient care for symptom management can be provided at a hospital if it is needed to control pain or other symptoms
  • Bereavement support is extended to the family for 13 months after the death of their loved one.



 

 

Allina Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care
1055 Westgate Drive
Suite 100
Saint Paul, MN 55114
651-635-9173
E-mail us

 

Source: National Hospice and Pallative Care Organization

First published: 08/04/2004
Last updated: 08/11/2006

Reviewed by: Don Grossbach, MD, medical director

 

back to top Back to Top

This site is presented for information only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice.
Allina®, the Allina logo, and Medformation® are registered trademarks of Allina Health System.
Presentation and Design ©2008 Allina Health System. All Rights Reserved.