The Hospice Team works with the patient and family to develop a plan of care which is specific to their unique needs. The focus of this plan of care is to help the patient live each day with comfort and dignity, while retaining their individuality and control over their lives. Through skilled nursing care, counseling, support and education, hospice helps patients and families live each day with meaning and purpose.

• The patient's Attending Physician remains the primary resource directing the care provided for the patient, while the Hospice Medical Director serves as a consultant to the Hospice Team.

• Hospice Nurses provide individualized care which focuses on providing comfort, managing pain and other symptoms, coordinating all hospice services and educating the patient and family to ensure quality and continuity of care.

• Social Workers assist the patient and family members with the emotional aspects of a life-threatening illness. They also coordinate community services and resources and assist with insurance, legal and financial issues.

• Trained Volunteers provide a variety of services focused on companionship and support for the patient and respite for the caregiver.

• The Hospice Chaplain provides spiritual support and ensures that spiritual concerns and needs are being met.

• Home Health Aides and Homemakers assist patients with personal cares and light housekeeping.

• Bereavement services are provided for 13 months following the death of the patient to assist the family with grief and loss issues.

• On-Call services are provided by the hospice nurses 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Additional services including therapies, respite, inpatient and continuous care are coordinated by the hospice team as needed.

• Rice Hospice works in partnership with long-term care facilities to provide state-of-the-art end of life care to residents and their families.

• The Rice Hospice Team coordinates the provision of medical equipment, supplies and medications for pain relief and symptom management related to the terminal diagnosis.

• Rice Hospice is a Joint Commission Accredited, Medicare-Certified hospice provider and is licensed in the State of Minnesota. Rice Hospice is also a member of Hospice Minnesota and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.