Hospice is a type of care and a philosophy that focuses on the palliation of a terminally ill patient’s symptoms. It is a special concept of care designed to provide comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments. The goal of Hospice is to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. It focuses on caring, not curing and, in most cases, care is provided in the patient’s home. The services provided encompasses not only the terminal patient, but the family as well. We teach the patient and their family what to expect as their disease progresses in a manner to ease the anxiety association with this stage of life. We develop a plan of care individualized for each patient and to meet the family’s needs.

Our services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our physicians work hand-in-hand with our hospice staff to provide quality patient care. The journey at the end of life should not be taken alone; we at Comfort Hospice Care will support our patients and their families as they treat this lonely and sometimes frightening path, providing physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort along the way.

Our diverse team of health care professionals work together with patients and families to provide pain and symptoms management, medical, emotional and spiritual support. The Comfort Hospice is a team made up of Hospice Physician(s), Pharmacists, Registered Nurses, Certified Nursing Aides (CNA's), Medical Social Workers, Chaplains/Clergy, and trained Volunteers. This team, known as the IDT (Inter-Disciplinary Team), meets Bi-weekly and works together under the supervision of your physician to design and implement a specific plan for the patient and their family's special needs. Our focus is palliative care, primarily in the areas of pain and symptom management. Our staff is highly-trained in palliative care and works very closely with your physician to provide the best and most accessible care to you and your loved ones.

Nurse – Each patient and family is assigned a Nurse/Case Manager who will coordinate the delivery of care. They will be there as often as necessary as an extension of your physician, to monitor and manage pain and symptoms. Nurses also instruct caregivers in skills needed care for their loved one, such as routine dressing changes, administering medication, providing comfort care, and so forth. They will also educate the family on what to expect and how to help.

Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) – Are nursing assistants who provide personal care to the patient. They make regular visits to assist patients with activities of daily living such as bathing, shaving, shampooing, and the changing of patient's bed linens if needed. Aides work closely with nurses and other hospice team members.

Medical Social Worker – Can serve as liaison to other community resources that may be helpful to patients and families -- with specific help on family relationships, the stress of the illness, financial or legal issues and more.

Chaplain – For those who request spiritual assistance and support. Can be provided either directly by a staff Hospice Chaplain or by coordinating with other community clergy.

Specially Trained Volunteer – As a companion, someone to talk with, someone to listen and a friend to lean on.