Hospice Care – Home Care
At Gilchrist, we work with families to ensure that their loved ones are able to receive hospice care at home throughout the course of their illness. In addition, we make sure that their time spent in hospice is comfortable and pain-free.
Can I Get Hospice Care in My Home?
A common misconception is that hospice is a place. In fact, hospice is a philosophy that centers on providing compassionate, high-quality care to seriously ill patients. While Gilchrist has three inpatient centers, the majority of hospice care is provided wherever the patient calls home. This can be at a private residence, a long-term care facility, an assisted living facility, or a retirement community.The focus is on comfort and dignity. In addition to taking care of the patient, we provide support to the loved one’s caregiver and family.
What Will the Home Care Team Do?
Home Care teams will work with caregivers to:
- Provide the necessary equipment (e.g., hospital beds, bedside commodes, oxygen) and medications.
- Offer training in the use of equipment and education about the disease progression.
- Provide regular home care visits from a registered nurse case manager, as well as hospice aides to provide personal care, social workers to provide counseling and support, and chaplains to offer spiritual care.
- Offer volunteer support in homes for companionship, respite for caregivers and errands.
- Offer companions at the bedside (end-of-life doulas) as death nears to ensure that no one dies alone and that families have the support they need during their most difficult time.