Hospice services are tailored to meet the needs of the individual hospice patient and the primary caregiver in the home. The primary caregiver is the person who is available in the home or close by to assist the patient with their needs. Support services are available in many areas to allow the patient to remain comfortably and safely in their home. Seasons Hospice is a Medicare-certified hospice program and is licensed by the state of Minnesota.

The following explains some of the support services available through hospice care.

Nursing Care
Hospice nurses provide care individualized to meet the needs of each patient. The care is focused on pain and symptom management, promoting independence and offering choices regarding that care. The patient remains in control of their care and directs that care for as long as possible.

Patient Care Coordinators are registered nurses who provide regular visits to monitor the patient’s condition and needs. The Patient Care Coordinator also provides education and instruction in care techniques for family and friends and coordinates the delivery of care. The Patient Care Coordinator works closely with the patient’s physician to provide relief of distressing symptoms.

Licensed Practical Nurses provide routine personal care, assistance with medications and treatment procedures and support of the patient and family.

On call nursing services are provided by the hospice nurses 24 hours a day, seven days a week for consultation and problem solving. They can answer questions relating to care needs and respond to changes in condition.

Physician Services
Medical doctors are available to the hospice staff to consult with the staff or other physicians regarding care of the hospice patients. The patient’s personal physician remains involved in the management of the patient’s plan of care.

Medical Social Services
A licensed social worker is available to provide psychosocial and emotional support for the hospice patient and their family and provide referral services for community programs and resources.

Chaplain Services
Nondenominational spiritual support services and counseling are available as requested.

Massage Therapy
Massage therapist who specialize in the needs of the seriously ill offer massage therapy services to hospice patients and their primary caregiver in the home. Massage therapy may be helpful in reducing pain, anxiety and other physical and emotional symptoms.

Volunteer Services
Trained volunteers provide a special kind of caring, providing support, companionship and respite for patients and family caregivers. Volunteers also provide bereavement support, office help and assistance at the Seasons Hospice House through housewarming, cooking, maintenance and gardening. For more information, click here.

Homemaker Services
Assistance with light homemaking tasks is provided by staff or volunteers as needed or requested by the patient and family.

Medical Supplies and Equipment
Supplies and equipment needed to manage the changing needs and comfort of the hospice patient in their home are provided through hospice. In order to allow patients to remain where they are most comfortable, medical equipment for adaptation to weakness, immobility and other changes related to the progression of a terminal illness is available. This equipment may include hospital beds, walkers, wheelchairs, shower benches or bedside commodes.

Medical supplies are also provided to assist in the caregiving and managing the disease process. Such supplies may include dressings or medical supplies. Oxygen therapy supplies are provided through Hospice if needed for comfort related to the terminal illness.

The needs for equipment and supplies are addressed with each individual hospice patient and family. Arrangements for the delivery and set up of all equipment and supplies are made through Seasons Hospice.

Medications
Hospice provides medications necessary to manage symptoms associated with the terminal illness. The goal of hospice care is to keep the patient as comfortable as possible throughout the last months of life. Medication needs are addressed by the Hospice team and the physician.

Inpatient Care and Respite Care
Inpatient care is provided on a short-term basis for acute intervention to manage symptoms, allowing the patient to return to their place of residence. This care is generally provided at the Seasons Hospice House.

Respite care is provided through Hospice to give the caregiver a needed rest or break from their caregiving tasks. Respite care is provided at the Hospice House or local nursing homes, depending on patient preference and bed availability.

Bereavement Care
Additional support services are available for the families of hospice patients for the year following the loss of a loved one. Bereavement services may include visits to the home by staff or volunteers, mailings, phone calls and formal and informal grief support groups. For more details refer to the Center for Grief Education and Support page.