Who's involved in hospice care?

If you're not receiving hospice care at a dedicated facility, hospice staff will make regular visits to your home or other setting. Hospice staff is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A hospice care team typically includes:

• Doctors. A primary care doctor and a hospice doctor or medical director will oversee care. Each patient gets to choose a primary doctor. This can be your prior doctor or a hospice doctor.
• Nurses. Nurses will come to your or your relative's home or other setting to provide care. They are also responsible for coordination of the hospice care team.
• Home health aides. Home health aides can provide extra support for routine care, such as dressing, bathing and eating.
• Spiritual counselors. Chaplains, priests, lay ministers or other spiritual counselors can provide spiritual care and guidance for the entire family.
• Social workers. Social workers provide counseling and support. They can also provide referrals to other support systems.
• Pharmacists. Pharmacists provide medication oversight and suggestions regarding the most effective ways to relieve symptoms.
• Volunteers. Trained volunteers offer a variety of services, including providing company or respite for caregivers and helping with transportation or other practical needs.
• Other professionals. Speech, physical and occupational therapists can provide therapy, if needed.
• Bereavement counselors. Trained bereavement counselors offer support and guidance after the death of a loved one in hospice.