Your Hospice Care Team

Physician and/or the Gilchrist Medical Director

Your loved one’s personal physician may continue to provide care jointly with the hospice team. Or you may instead choose to have a hospice medical director or nurse practitioner as your primary clinician.

Registered Nurse/Case Manager

All of our nurses are specially trained in providing end-of-life
care. Nurses provide skilled care and support tailored to your loved one’s goals and needs. The hospice nurse is the case manager who provides education and hands-on-care. In addition, the nurse offers options to manage pain and other symptoms of illness, while supporting your family.

Certified Hospice Aides

Our aides provide compassionate personal care to take the stress out of everyday tasks (e.g., bathing, dressing, etc.). While helping with life skills, our aides maintain the dignity and independence of your loved one.

Social Workers

Our social workers provide support and counseling for you and your family. Examples of assistance are accessing resources, making alternative living arrangements and dealing with financial issues. Gilchrist’s social workers also help in the preparation of advance directives and with funeral arrangements.

Chaplains

Our chaplains provide spiritual support and counseling for you and your loved one. This support is based on your spiritual or religious beliefs, practices and needs. They will listen to concerns and offer prayers, if requested. Chaplains can help your family reflect on what is most meaningful in your lives and offer support in healing relationships. Our hospice chaplains will also work with your personal clergy and congregation, if desired.

Grief Counselors

Our master’s trained grief counselors offer support before and after a loss. Gilchrist has an extensive bereavement program with one-on-one counseling, support groups and events.

Learn more about our Grief Counseling program.

Volunteers

Our volunteers provide a variety of services, including companionship, respite for caregivers or errands. Our end-of-life doulas are specially trained to sit bedside with your family in the hours preceding death. Doulas ensure you have the support you need and that no one dies alone.

Child Life Specialist (Gilchrist Kids)

Our child life specialists are uniquely attuned to the individual social and emotional needs of children. Our specialists work to help children sort out their feelings, most often through play and imagination. Child life specialists also work with siblings and other young family members impacted by a child’s illness and impending death.