|
Hospice Care
Caring Support for the Terminally Ill
Group Health's Hospice Program offers physical, emotional, and spiritual care for patients who are in advanced stages of incurable illness. Hospice also helps patients' families cope with the illness.
We emphasize making the most of the patient's remaining life. Patients choose hospice care for support and comfort when efforts towards recovery are no longer reasonable.
How We Can Help You
The Hospice Program is for terminal patients who are being cared for primarily at home by a friend or relative.
Our hospice team includes:
| • |
Registered nurses who provide skilled nursing care, teach pain management, and help prepare patients and their families for expected changes. Hospice visiting nurses are available 24 hours a day for phone consultation or home visits. |
| • |
Medical social workers who help families deal with stress, financial problems, issues of death and dying, and changing relationships. They provide information about and help with other home care needs. |
| • |
A spiritual counselor who offers guidance and support for the patient and family, and who coordinates spiritual needs with community clergy. |
| • |
The patient's own Group Health doctor who continues to supervise care while coordinating with the Hospice Program's medical director. |
| • |
Specially trained volunteers who serve as companions, provide respite care while family members take time for their own needs, run errands, or help with other family tasks. Learn more about our volunteer program. |
| • |
Home health aides who provide help with bathing and personal care. |
| • |
Therapists who provide physical, occupational, or speech therapy if needed. |
Bereavement Service
We also offer a bereavement service to provide support and information about the grieving process. We can link family members to community resources such as grief support groups and can help support families through the first year following the loved one's death.
What's the Next Step?
Hospice services usually are begun after the doctor believes the patient has six months or less to live. For more information, contact your Group Health doctor, or call one of the following numbers:
| • |
In Western Washington, call the Referral Services Department of Group Health's Community Health Services in Seattle at 206-326-4444, or toll-free at 1-800-332-5735. |
| • |
In the Spokane area, call the Care Resource Department at 509-324-3740, or toll-free at 1-888-245-9004. |
| • |
In the Tri-Cities area, call 509-783-3484, or toll-free at 1-800-458-5450. |
| • |
In the Yakima area, call 509-324-3740, or toll-free at 1-800-274-2140. |
Hospice services are offered in most parts of Group Health's service area. The Hospice Program is Medicare-certified.
|
|
|
