Understanding Hospice Care
Hospice Care is a priceless gift to patients and their families. It provides comfort, dignity, quality of life and time to those facing a life-limiting illness.
Affinity provides a personalized, comprehensive range of in-home services. We recognize that achieving a successful outcome for each individual requires us to employ the best registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, medical social workers, and chaplains. To meet the challenge of an ever-changing body of medical and nursing knowledge, Affinity maintains a unique Continuing Education Program that keeps our healthcare professionals current on the latest proven care methods.
Our Personalized Approach
Most people prefer to spend their final days in their own home or other comfortable and familiar setting. This is why the trend for in-home hospice care is growing. Individuals now have the opportunity to be free from pain, as well as other symptoms, while having their family and friends close by.
When you or a loved one are faced with a life-limiting illness, you have special needs. We understand this and personalize our care to help meet those needs during what is an intense emotional time. During each and every visit, our care team works together to ensure consistent, compassionate support. We are committed to providing meaningful, personalized attention at all times and is sensitive to the needs of each unique patient and family. Caring for a loved one is possibly the toughest thing a family can face, but when Affinity is involved in the process, you can rest assured you will not be alone.
By tapping into an extensive support network, we help the patient and family navigate the difficult landscape of end-of-life care and decision making. Ours is a body, mind and soul approach — paying special attention to the patient’s and family’s mental and physical well being.
Care is coordinated through an Interdisciplinary Team approach so that physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, social workers, clergy, pharmacists, and volunteers work together to ensure all the patient’s and family’s needs are being addressed. Managing the various aspects of a prolonged and life-limiting illness can be a daunting task; our professionals take over the complicated parts of care, freeing up time for family members and loved ones so they can spend it on the meaningful aspects of life.
Levels of Hospice Care
Different patients require different levels of hospice care. Affinity offers the category of care that meets the individual patient’s needs in the location that is most appropriate and comfortable. These categories of care include:
- Routine Home Care
At Affinity, we strive to provide an environment of care that is comfortable for our patients and their families. Our team of professionals schedules regular home visits to ensure that medical, social and emotional needs are met. - Inpatient Care
If pain or symptoms cannot be controlled at home, the patient might be taken to a contracted facility. When the symptoms are under control, the patient can return home. - Respite Care
Many patients have their own caregivers, often family members. When caregivers need a rest from their care giving responsibilities, patients can stay in a contracted hospital or other inpatient care center for up to five days in accordance with insurance provisions and limitations. - Continuous Care
Sometimes a patient has a medical crisis that needs close medical attention. When this happens, we can arrange for inpatient care, or the Affinity Hospice team can provide round-the-clock care to manage symptoms in the home. When the crisis is over, the patient is returned to routine care.
Services
- Skilled and experienced nursing staff
- Medication management to control pain and symptoms
- A certified hospice and palliative care physician to oversee the patient’s care
- Medical equipment, medicine and supplies related to the patient’s hospice diagnosis
- Personal hygiene care provided by certified nursing assistants
- Support through social work, counseling, and chaplain services
- Volunteer services to provide companionship and support
- Bereavement services for a minimum of 13 months after a loss
Just as every patient’s and family member’s needs are different, so too are hospice care providers. Find out how the Affinity Home Hospice difference can address your individual and greatest needs – at the time when you need us the most – because “Your care is our passion.”
