Hospice Care

End of Life Comfort and Support

Hospice nurses assist patients and family members develop an individualized program to provide medical, emotional, psychological, financial, social, and spiritual care.

Hospice Care team

Our hospice care medical director, nurses, social workers, home health aides, clergy, therapists, trained volunteers, and each client’s personal health care provider work together to provide whole-person care.

Comfort care

Our holistic approach neither hastens nor postpones death but strives to make each day as meaningful as possible. We aim to relieve symptoms and give social, emotional, and spiritual support.

Nursing care

Each hospice client is cared for by an individually assigned nurse who makes both regularly scheduled and as-needed visits to the client to manage pain and symptoms. The goal of pain and symptom control is to help our clients to be comfortable while also allowing them to remain in control of their lives and sufficiently alert to be able to make decisions.

Prescriptions, medical equipment, and supplies

Hospice provides prescriptions, equipment, and supplies directly related to the hospice client’s diagnosis at no cost to the patient.

Hospice aides

Providing assistance with bathing, oral care, hair and nail care, and shaving for Hospice clients. Aides are available to coach caregivers about proper skin care, positioning, and safe transfer to and from bed.

Volunteers

Our hospice care volunteers are available to assist clients and their families by providing breaks for regular caregivers, running errands, helping with household chores, and serving as an occasional companion to the client. Volunteers will sit at the bedside, read to the client, write letters on behalf of the client, and share hobbies and special interests.

Grief support

Grief support services are free of charge to anyone in East Jefferson County who has experienced the death of a loved one. These bereavement programs are supported by the generosity of the Hospice Foundation for Jefferson Healthcare, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. For further information about these services, call the Bereavement Coordinator at 360.385.0610 or 360.385.2200 ext. 4615.

Spiritual & Emotional Support

The hospice team has trained certified emotional and spiritual support providers. These providers are able to discuss your particular end-of-life issues and provide care based on your needs and your beliefs, practices, faith traditions, and rituals. Our team can assist your family, friends, and caregivers with issues, questions, and grief processes and be a simple, gentle, and loving presence in silence or dialogue. We are happy to act as a liaison with your spiritual organizations or spiritual leaders if needed.

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

Founded in 1978, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization is the nation’s largest membership organization for providers and professionals who care for people affected by serious and life-limiting illnesses. Its broad community of members includes local hospice and palliative care providers, networks serving large regions of the United States, and individual professionals.

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

department hours

Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Onsite nursing 24 hours a day, everyday

Location

2500 W. Sims Way, Port Townsend

contact

p) 360.385.0610

f) 360.379.8259

What is involved with the hospice admissions process?

The admission to hospice begins with a call to our office. As needed, our staff will visit the home to answer questions and determine the appropriate services to meet your needs. There is no charge for this service. The official admission is begun when a hospice staff member comes to the client’s home or residence to help the client complete the required paperwork and consent forms.

Does hospice treat only cancer clients?

Hospice provides care to those who are in their final months of life. This may include clients with cancer, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, dementia, or other life-threatening diseases.

Is a hospice client required to have less than six months to live in order to be eligible for hospice?

Although hospice care is intended for the final six months of life, hospice care is not discontinued if a client lives beyond that time. Jefferson Healthcare Hospice is responsible for determining at regular intervals whether the client meets the hospice criteria and will plan with the client and family if the situation improves and hospice is no longer required.

Can a hospice client who is showing improvement be returned to regular medical treatment?

If, at any time, a client decides to change his or her approach from comfort-oriented care to a treatment or curative approach, he or she may revoke the Medicare, Medicaid, or other hospice insurance benefits and reinstate regular benefits.

Does it take a lot of friends and family to care for a client at home?

Being a caregiver can be emotionally demanding, physically challenging, and sometimes overwhelming. For this reason, the decision to become a caregiver should not be taken lightly.

How does hospice help with pain?

Hospice workers are experienced in finding the appropriate medications to achieve the pain level that the client is seeking. Acceptable pain levels are individually determined by the client with the help of the hospice nurse and the physician. We also use non-pharmacological methods such as massage or music therapies to improve relaxation and comfort. Most clients will be able to find a level of pain control that leaves them comfortable and provides the desired quality of life.

Your Team

Joseph Mattern III, MD, FAAFP & HMDC

Family Medicine+3 Additional Services
p) 360.379.8031

Sheridan Building

Jefferson Healthcare Clinic

+1 Additional locations

Sheridan Building

Jefferson Healthcare Clinic

+1 Additional locations

Kevin Bowman, MD, FAAEM

Medical Center

Jefferson Healthcare Clinic

Medical Center

Jefferson Healthcare Clinic

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