Hospice Care

     The ACCN hospice care program offers help and support to the patient with a life expectancy of less than six months. This program is an effective alternative to routine home care and repeat hospitalization for patients who are terminally ill. We provide a range of comprehensive services-medical, psychological, social, and spiritual-either in the patient's home or in a medical facility. Hospice affirms life and neither hastens nor postpones death.

     Patients we serve have a limited life expectancy, whose treatment goal has been established as pain management and symptom control. Care is offered by a multi-disciplinary team of doctors, nurses, social workers, spiritual counselors, therapists, aides, and trained volunteers-all working closely with patient and family to create a comfortable and supportive environment.

     Hospice services are available in the home, nursing home, and inpatient setting. Home and nursing home care is provided on an intermittent basis and is available when needed twenty-four hours a day. The inpatient setting may be utilized for pain and other symptom control.

     The goal of our program is to allow patients with a terminal illness to live the remainder of their lives in comfort and with dignity. Benefits for the patient in an ACCN Hospice program:

• Hospice nurses collaborate with the nursing home staff to manage terminal care
• Experts in pain management
• Willing to provide in-service programs for staff
• Provide hands-on care to terminally ill patients
• Assist with bathing and personal care
• Hospice volunteers help combat the patient's loneliness and isolation
• Visit with the patient
• Hospice chaplain provides spiritual support to the patient and family
• Hospice social worker aids patient and family during their transition
• Provides bereavement services to the family