Wilshire Network Sites

Our Staff

The Hospice Partners program is a coordinated program of comfort and supportive services provided in either home or facility a setting, which provides physical, emotional, social and spiritual care for dying patients and their families. Using a comprehensive case management approach, an interdisciplinary team of hospice professionals and volunteers develop and follow a patient-centered care plan that is individualized, and includes input from the patient and family. Hospice services are provided by this team, the family and friends.

Members of the interdisciplinary team include:

• Physicians
  The care provided by Hospice Partners remains under the direction of the patient's primary doctor if the physician and the family so desire it. When there is no primary doctor, or the primary doctor wants assistance, a Hospice Partners' Physician will direct the care.
• Registered Nurses
  Each patient and family is assigned a Nurse/Case Manager who will coordinate the delivery of care. The Nurse will keep the patient and family informed about the progression of the illness and what to expect, as well as teach the patient's caregivers about proper patient care techniques.
• Medical Social Workers
  Each patient has a Social Worker who assists with practical problems, recommends additional services and resources, and assists in finding financial or legal aid, as well as advising on funeral plans and final arrangements. The Social Worker is also a trained counselor who can help patients talk about the changes that are happening and facilitate family communication.
• Home Health Aides
  Aides assist the patient with bathing and personal care, and caregiver relief.
• Spiritual Counselors
  Spiritual Counselors provide spiritual and/or pastoral support to the patient and family consistent with their belief system.
• Dieticians
  A Dietician is available to assist the patient and family with dietary concerns related to end-of-life care if needed.
• Bereavement Counselors
  Bereavement Counselors support the family during the patient's illness and for at least thirteen months after the patient has died, focusing on grief and loss issues.
• Volunteers
  Volunteers are specially trained individuals who provide emotional support, help with home care tasks and offer brief periods of relief for the caregiver.
• Therapists
  Occasionally, the services of Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists may be recommended for the patient.
• Musician
  A Hospice Musician is available to provide appropriate live music to support the complex physical, emotional and spiritual processes encountered by patients and caregivers. Therapeutic music is not entertainment, but instead can be used to augment other therapies to reduce a patient's pain and anxiety.
• Pharmacist
  A Pharmacist is available to advise team members about medications for pain and symptom management.