It may be obvious to say, but the compassionate and driven individuals who make up our hospice care teams are the backbone of top-notch care. The comfort and support they provide patients, caregivers, and families are why hospice care continues to grow as an option for end of life care.
Today is Employee Appreciation Day, and we wanted to highlight the hospice care nurses, doctors, social workers, volunteers, spiritual care coordinators, and specialists bringing so much care daily. We also wanted to provide some tips for how you can show appreciation to everyone on the team, and make these professionals feel the same amount of love they provide patients and their caregivers and families. In the end, at Heart to Heart we are people taking care of people.
Celebrating hospice care nurses and teams
At Heart to Heart, our teams are made up of experienced professionals across multiple disciplines including nurses, doctors, social workers, spiritual care coordinators, and medical specialists. Each one supports an important piece of the hospice care process.
Nurses – Nurses are seen as the heart of healthcare, and hospice nurses are no different. They take on a more intimate role for patients who are approaching end of life. They provide support not only for patients but for their families as well. Hospice nurses provide patients pain and symptom management, care plan implementation, everyday wound care and treatment, and health assessments for the rest of the team. For families, they provide important education and training on treatment support such as how to administer medicines, daily grooming, and safety measures. They also provide a kind, listening ear in times of high stress and anxiety–an invaluable resource for many families.
Physicians – These medical professionals help steer hospice care from day one. They coordinate with the patient’s primary care physician and the hospice care team to create a plan to manage pain and control symptoms. They consult with nurses to adjust care plans, address new symptoms, elevated symptoms, and changes in pain. They educate and guide care teams ensuring patients get the best care.
Social Workers – Social Workers help patients and family members deal with a wide range of issues, such as communication, conflict resolution, or other stressful situations. Hospice is an emotional journey, and social workers provide compassionate guidance so caregivers and families can better focus on the patient’s needs. They can also coordinate available community resources and assist with matters that are not medical related, including finances, planning, insurance benefits, and other end-of-life concerns that are important but can get ignored during high-stress times.
Spiritual Care Coordinators – Hospice care is a holistic approach to end of life care. This means teams provide not only medical care but emotional care as well. This is why hospice care teams include spiritual care coordinators. We make sure patients (and families) have the spiritual support they need as they approach the end of life. Patients and families often begin to ask larger questions in regards to dying. Spiritual care coordinators are provided to help guide patients and their families through the deeper philosophical questions, existential concerns, and religious aspects of dying.
Bereavement Care Specialists – Bereavement specialists not only help patients cope with end of life but also families in the process of losing their loved ones and after they have passed. Bereavement care focuses on grief and the emotional impact of loss. They provide support for families and caregivers to begin their adjustment to life without their loved one.
Volunteers and Hospice Aides – Volunteers and aides are the unsung heroes of hospice care teams. Along with nurses, volunteers and aides spend the most intimate times with patients and families. Aides often assist with personal care such as dressing and bathing and other parts of daily living. Volunteers and aides provide important companionship and emotional support for patients and families. The simple act of just sitting with a patient can go a long way toward symptom and mood management. They also can provide respite for caregivers, so they can take a break and recharge. It’s the little things like this that are so important in a patient’s care plan and can make a world of difference for families and caregivers.
How to show appreciation for the care team
On this Employee Appreciation Day, we encourage everyone to show appreciation to the caring professionals on hospice care teams. It can be something simple and small. The important part is showing these hard workers that their time and expertise are valued and appreciated. It is an emotional job, and knowing they’ve made a difference goes a long way. Below are some options to show your gratitude this day and every day.
Handwritten notes – In our increasingly digital world, handcrafted notes and gifts are an especially loving touch. Write a thank-you note to express your sincere appreciation for all the team’s efforts.
Personalized gift – Creating something customized as a token of appreciation can go a long way. Whether it’s a mug, a painting, or an embroidered bag, blanket, or bag, the sentiment will help the entire team feel appreciated and supported.
Make a meal, take a break – Along the same lines as self-care, providing team members with a break can go a long way to helping them and your loved one. The more rested and recharged they are, the better everyone can be. Make them their favorite meal one day. Tell them they can take a walk for some fresh air. Let them rest. It shows that you see their hard work and want to reward them for it. Then they get to recharge and come back with a fresh focus.
