Helping Residents Live On Their Terms

The term hospice comes from the Latin "hospitium", which means guesthouse or shelter for the weary traveler. However, its current usage does not describe a place. It is a concept of care that addresses medical, spiritual and psychological issues. It does not focus on a cure, but places a high value on a person’s comfort and dignity.

Autumn Years offers hospice care to our residents who have been told by their doctor they have less than six months to live. In other words, we offer compassionate end of life care that is guided by the resident’s wishes.

It Takes A Team Approach

Providing hospice care takes an interdisciplinary team approach. The family designates a primary decision maker/contact. They are guided and aided by a support team that can incorporate a wide variety of specialists.

Team members can include:

• Personal physician.
• Volunteers (trained in hospice care).
• Hospice nurses.
• Hospice physician.
• Home health aides.
• Member of the clergy.
• Psychological counselor.
• Social workers.
• Therapists - physical, massage, occupational, speech.

It Takes A Plan With Many Elements

The hospice team puts together a care plan that is specific to the needs of the patient. Our staff helps to implement that plan, under the guidance of the hospice nurses.

Here are some of the major responsibilities that guide their plan.

• Manage the pain.
• Manage the symptoms.
• Train and coach family members on how to care for their loved one.
• Provide therapies. (Speech therapy, etc.)
• Provide medications and medical supplies.
• Provide equipment.
• Assist with the psychosocial, emotional and spiritual aspects of dying.
• Provide bereavement counseling to the survivors.