The Caregiver
The caregiver is the most essential component of the hospice team, by providing 24-hour care to the patient and his/her needs. Hillcrest Community Hospice requires as a matter of policy that each patient have a plan for 24-hour care that can be activated as needed.
There are several reasons for this policy. Patients in hospice have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and almost always require 24-hour care at some point during the progression of the illness. The hospice team provides intermittent care in the home. But the primary care of the patient comes from a caregiver. The caregiver could be a family member, family members, friends, neighbors, church members, a paid caregiver or even nursing home staff (for patients in a nursing facility).
There are times when the role of a caregiver can become overwhelming. There are outlets such as counseling, talking with the hospice social worker or chaplain for emotional or spiritual support and guidance. Below you will find a list on on-line resources that may also assist you in your decision to become a caregiver or to connect you with others that are going through a similar situation.
Caregiver Web Sites
