The Hospice Patient's and Family's Role
As Part of the Interdisciplinary Team
The patient and family express their needs during the visits
made by the hospice professionals. If the patient is unable to
express in words how he feels and what his needs are, then the RN
case manager and other team members carefully observe the patient
for objective signs of the patient's condition. For example,
pain cannot be hidden from an experienced and competent hospice
nurse. There are nonverbal expressions of how the patient is
feeling which the hospice RN case manager will especially be
looking for.
The patient and family may directly speak with the hospice
team members face to face, or they may also express their needs
through phone calls. It is extremely important for the patient
and family to communicate as fully as possible. Openly discussing
your expectations from the very beginning will help the hospice
team members to provide services which satisfy your needs. As the
situation changes, it is increasingly important for you to
express your needs clearly without reserve. Family members often
become "protectors" or "advocates" for their
loved ones. Who better to express your loved one's wishes,
when she can no longer speak for herself?
It is often difficult for the family and/or patient to pay
attention to the information provided by the hospice professional
staff when the patient is first enrolled into the hospice's
program. However, it is very important for the patient and family
to understand that information. Family members who are directly
involved in assisting the patient with his care and/or decision
making, must read the material and listen carefully, so that they
have full information about the hospice's services.
All licensed and certified hospice agencies must provide care
which meets the standards of care given in the federal and state
regulations governing hospice care and must meet the
patient's and family needs which are related to the terminal
illness.
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