Hospice Care
Hospice is not a place; it is a philosophy of care. It treats the person, as opposed to the disease, and hospice focuses on quality of life. It surrounds the patient with an interdisciplinary team of experts who come together to treat the 5 types of pain for the patient- physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, and financial. St. Anthony’s Hospice & Palliative services are centered around each individual patient with a care plan tailored to each patient’s individual needs.
Hospice Information for Patients
St. Anthony’s Hospice manages symptoms and controls pain to give our patients the highest quality of life for however long they are with us. Ensuring each patient has the highest quality of life allows them to share more moments and memories with loved ones and allows them to say everything they need to say.
While receiving hospice care, patients receive regular visits from members of their care team. Their care team consists of nurses, aides, chaplains, social workers, and volunteers. A patient can keep his/her own physician, should their physician choose to remain a part of the care team. St. Anthony’s Hospice has a full-time Nurse Practitioner on staff, in addition to our Medical Directors. Each member of the patient’s care team is expertly trained to meet all needs of the patient. Your care team assists with pain and symptom control, medication management, bathing, companionship, wound care, and so much more.
In addition to the expert care, patients on hospice receive durable medical equipment, medical supplies, and medications related to their terminal diagnosis at no cost to them.
Hospice Information for Families
Patients are not the only ones facing a terminal illness. Family and caregivers face it alongside the patient. St. Anthony’s Hospice helps families provide excellent care for their loved one by providing professionals who recognize the signs of pain and unmanaged symptoms and provide the necessary medical care to care for their loved one, without an unneeded trip to the emergency room or hospital.
Our nurses will fill pill planners, educate caregivers on how to administer medications, provide wound care, and educate on the disease process. Our aides will assist in bathing the patient, as well as any grooming or everyday needs the patient may have. Our chaplains and social workers will help you work through any stress or negative emotions you might have. Our social workers can even help with funeral arrangements and legal documents such as Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Do Not Resuscitate orders, etc.
We also offer bereavement services that go on for 15 months after your loved one passes away. We do not abandon the family after your loved one passes.
Hospice care does not mean you are giving up on your loved one. It is extra help to ensure your loved one is comfortable and both you and your loved one have all the help and support you need.
If you still have questions or want to refer your loved one to hospice or palliative care, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or Make a Referral page.
