PHYSICIAN: Your personal physician and the hospice physician work together to plan your medical care. They are always in close touch with the other members of the hospice interdisciplinary team.

NURSE: Hospice nurses specialize in palliative care which is a special kind of care that keeps pain to a minimum and increases comfort. The nurse is the liaison between the patient and the physician and other health care professionals. The hospice nurse makes intermittent visits to monitor and evaluate your condition. The nurse provides the patient and family with information about the illness and helps manage the pain and symptoms of the disease. Many Florida hospices use certified hospice and palliative care nurses who have obtained specialized training.

MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER: The social worker is a counselor to the patient and the family. The social worker assists the family with financial, insurance and legal issues, and helps them understand the personal and social challenges of illness, disability, and the dying process. The social worker arranges volunteer support and other services in the community which are available as resources.

SPIRITUAL/PASTORAL COUNSELOR: Spiritual issues are an important part of the care of the patient requiring hospice care. Preferences are discussed with the patient and family members. In addition to the support provided by the patient's church or synagogue, hospice spiritual counselors help patients address life closure and the meaning of life. Assistance with memorial services and funerals is available at the family's request.

HOME HEALTH AIDE: Home health aides are skilled in helping the patient and caregiver with the personal care of the patient, such as personal grooming, some light housekeeping or meal preparation, and many other duties as needs arise. Aides provide a break for caregivers in the normal routine of personal care and they offer both physical and emotional support. Personal care services are provided to patients on an intermittent basis.

THERAPIST: Physical, occupational, and speech therapists are available through hospice to help a patient maintain comfort or quality of life. Some hospices may also provide other therapies such as music, art, pet and massage.

BEREAVEMENT COUNSELOR: Bereavement counselors provide support to family members before death and after the death of the loved one. Bereavement counselors provide one-on-one counseling and also organize support groups. Bereavement support includes helping the patient and the patient's loved ones close out their lives together. Often, the support groups are open to other members of the community who may also be grieving.

VOLUNTEER: Hospice volunteers are members of the community who have special interest and specialized training. Volunteers provide companionship for the patient and relief for the caregiver. Volunteers are very important members of the interdisciplinary team. Patient-family volunteers perform many functions including sitting with patients, running errands for the patient or caregiver, providing emotional support, and relaying information to other members of the interdisciplinary team for follow-up. The volunteer training curriculum includes an introduction to hospice, the patient-family volunteer role, concepts of death and dying, communication skills, care and comfort measures, diseases and medical conditions, psychosocial and spiritual issues related to death and dying, stress management, bereavement, infection control, safety, confidentiality, and patient rights.

Hospices also regularly need administrative volunteers to help with office duties, special projects, and fundraising. Anyone interested in volunteering is urged to contact the hospice or hospices in your area. To find a hospice in your area, click here.