Presbyterian Hospice Services

The Presbyterian Hospice Program provides physical, emotional, and spiritual support to terminally ill patients and their families. The hospice team of professionals and volunteers helps patients maintain their dignity, comfort, and quality of life. The frequency of visits and the level of care are based on mutual agreement between the patient, the primary physician, and the primary nurse, and can be increased or decreased as needed.

Admission Requirements
In order to be eligible for hospice services, a patient must:
- Have a life expectancy of six months or less, as determined by a physician
- No longer be receiving curative care (radiation or chemotherapy)
- Have a caregiver who can provide care between hospice team visits
- Be referred to the program by the Primary Care Physician
- Reside within the Presbyterian Home Healthcare Service Area
- Hospice patients do not have to be homebound.

The Hospice Team
Our professionals are trained and experienced in hospice. Hospice uses a team of registered nurses, social workers, chaplains, bereavement counselors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, home health aides, and volunteers to provide needed care.

- A medical director and hospice nurse are on call 24 hours a day for emergencies.
- Hospice nurses focus on symptom management, patient comfort, and pain control.
- Hospice chaplains and social workers provide emotional support, teach coping skills, and can help families who may need additional community resources.
- Home health aides provide personal care for the patient, and volunteers help out as necesssary with additional services.
- Physical therapists and occupational therapists provide training to patients and caregivers on how to best support the patients' day-to-day activities.
- Bereavement counselors maintain contact with the family throughout the bereavement period. Up to thirteen months bereavement counseling for the family, following the death of their loved one is an integral part of the program.

Outpatient Services
- Intermittent home visits
- Pain and symptom management
- Medication adjustments
- Emotional support, spiritual counseling
- Individualized treatment tailored to meet the patient's needs

Hours
Care is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Inpatient Unit
The Hospice Inpatient Unit accomodates patients whose pain or symptom control cannot be adequately managed at home. Admission to the Inpatient Unit must be prearranged by a Hospice team member.
- Fifteen-bed facility with private rooms and baths, fully furnished kitchen, family room and children's room with television and games
- Twenty-four hour nursing care
- A hospice medical director is available to oversee patient care
- Families are welcome to stay with the family member twenty-four hours a day
- Visitation is not limited
- Children are welcome to visit
- Pets are allowed with prior arrangements

Respite Care
Patients may also be admitted for up to five days of respite care to provide a short break for the family in caring for their loved one.

Hospital Hospice
Patients can receive hospice care as an inpatient at Presbyterian Hospital.

Phone
Hospice: (505) 559-1122
Hospice IPU: (505) 559-1133
Referrals: (505) 559-1000