Hospice care at Nathan Adelson Hospice is provided by a team made up of Hospice Physician(s), Pharmacists, Registered Nurses, Certified Nursing Aides (CNA's), Medical Social Workers, Chaplains/Clergy, and trained Volunteers. This team, known as the IDG (Inter-Disciplinary Group), meets weekly and works together under the supervision of your physician to design and implement a specific plan for the patient and their family_s special needs - an uncommon approach.

Nurse
...each patient and family is assigned a Nurse/Case Manager who will coordinate the delivery of care. They will be there as often as necessary as an extension of your physician, to monitor and manage pain and symptoms. They will also educate the family on what to expect and how to help.

Certified Nursing Aide (CNA)
...may make regular visits to assist patients with activities of daily living such as bathing, shaving, shampooing, and the changing of patient's bed linens if needed.

Medical Social Worker
...can serve as liaison to other community resources that may be helpful to patients and families -- with specific help on family relationships, the stress of the illness, financial or legal issues and more.

Chaplain
...for those who request spiritual assistance and support. Can be provided either directly by a staff Hospice Chaplain or by coordinating with other community clergy.

Specially Trained Volunteer
...as a companion, someone to talk with, someone to listen and a friend to lean on.

How will Hospice work with my doctor?
The Nathan Adelson Hospice team works under the guidance of your physician. He or she sees and approves all plans of care, is invited to team conferences, and continues to provide primary medical services. Our staff hospice physician is available to your doctor for consultation.

What if the patient can't be cared for at home?

Sometimes a patient needs the intensive care that can only be provided at one of the Nathan Adelson Hospice in-patient facilities. Patients are able to stay at the facility for short periods of time when symptoms or pain can't be managed at home, on direct transfers from acute care hospitals or to give the family a brief respite from home care responsibilities.

The in-patient hospice staff has developed expertise in pain and symptom management and continues to deliver the coordinated care, outstanding services and the compassionate support that the patients receive in their homes.

Even with the extensive medical and nursing care being given at the Nathan Adelson Hospice in-patient facility, it doesn't look like a hospital or operate like one. The facilities have a home-like décor, living rooms and parlors, comfortable furnishings and private patios. There are no visiting hour restrictions, a choice of meals for the patients and facilities for families to cook their favorite foods and even stay overnight. Patients and families can also spend time in the tranquil outdoor courtyard or watch the many birds in the engaging aviary.

Can a hospice patient who shows signs of recovery be returned to regular medical treatment?
Certainly. If the patient's condition improves and the disease seems to be in remission, patients can be discharged from Hospice and return to aggressive therapy.

If a discharged patient should later need to return to hospice care, Medicare and most private payers will allow additional coverage for this purpose.

How are hospice care services paid for?
Medicare patients are fully covered for all Nathan Adelson Hospice services related to their terminal illness.

Private insurance and HMO plans will often cover hospice services through a specific hospice benefit or through hospital, home health or private duty benefits. Families are responsible for any remaining balance unpaid by insurers.

It has been proven that hospice care is substantially less expensive than the typical cycle of hospitalization and home health agency care. A Nathan Adelson Hospice Admissions Coordinator will help you determine your eligibility for Medicare or insurance benefits and assist in finding resources for your family.

We serve all who need us ­ without regard for their ability to pay. We can help families without resources, based upon an ability-to-pay sliding scale. This commitment is made possible by the generous and compassionate support of individuals and corporations who make donations to the Nathan Adelson Hospice Foundation.

In 1978 when Nathan Adelson Hospice was established, it's Board of Trustees determined that admission to the program would never be based on race, sex, religion, disease or the ability to pay. Through the support of our donors we have been able to continue the Board's commitment to our community.

Does NAH provide any help to the family after the patient dies?
We provide continuing contact and support for family and friends for up to 13 months following the death of a loved one. We offer a variety of bereavement groups and support for anyone in the community who has experienced a death of a family member or friend. Intensive grief workshops for adults and children, a children's grief camp and referrals to licensed therapists are also available.