The palliative care team manages pain and other symptoms; promotes communication with the patient, family members and other healthcare providers; and offers spiritual and emotional support as required or requested by the patient and family.
We consider the patient and family part of this team. The family continues to care for the patient with support and training from our staff, and the patient continues to make decisions about his or her care. A registered nurse case manager serves as the patient's main contact to ensure continuity of care.
The Visiting Nurse Service Hospice of Central Indiana or other hospice organizations provide hospice care, medical care, comfort and emotional support to the seriously ill patient and his or her family at home.
On-call phone service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to put patients and families in immediate contact with a team member familiar with their case.
Inpatient Consultation Service provides comprehensive medical assessment and management. We not only focus on controlling pain and other symptoms to ensure maximum comfort of hospitalized patients, but also attend to spiritual and emotional needs. The palliative care team can assist with the transition from hospital to home or nursing home.
The Outpatient Specialist Clinic at the Center for Senior Health allows for new outpatient consultations or follow-ups with discharged patients. Home visits by the palliative care team also allows for continuity and regular check-ups.
Team members provide family education to develop and strengthen coping strategies for family members assisting in the treatment and care of their loved one.
Our palliative care team members offer referral services to community agencies for practical services and community resources to meet the families' needs.
Bereavement Service offers support to a family following a patient's death to help ease the family's transition and adjustment to living without their loved one.
