What is Hospice Care?

Hospice is a concept of caring that emphasizes palliative (comfort) rather than curative treatment; quality rather than quantity of life. Expert medical care is given, and the most effective pain symptom relief is provided. The patient and family are all included in the care plan and emotional, spiritual and practical support are given based on the patient’s wishes and family’s needs.

Hospice affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. Hospice neither hastens nor postpones death. Hospice provides personalized services and a caring community so that patients and families can attain the necessary preparation for a death that is compassionate and dignified.

Hospice care is provided to patients who have a limited life expectancy. Hospice cares for anyone regardless of age, type of illness, race, gender, sexual orientation, or ability to pay. These patients have also made a decision to spend their last months at home or in a homelike setting.

One of our beautifully appointed patient rooms

In harmony with the hospice concept, Hospice of Kitsap County provides intensive treatment of the physical and emotional pain and symptoms. This palliative care focuses on enhancing a patient's comfort and overall quality of life and is provided in the patient's home, a nursing home, or wherever the patient resides. Hospice of Kitsap County services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include, but are not limited to:

• Medications, Equipment, and Supplies
• Experienced Nursing Care
• Personal Care (including bathing, feeding, and dressing)
• Assistance with Daily Living
• Emotional Counseling
• Chaplain (or other clergy) Support
• Social Work Services
• Financial Counseling
• Bereavement Care and Counseling
• Physical, Speech, and Occupational Therapies
• Volunteer Services and Support
• Other Services as required

The Hospice Team

Hospice of Kitsap County utilizes a team approach led by the patient's own physician to provide services which meet the emotional, spiritual and physical needs of our patients and their families. Hospice puts the family and patient at the center of care planning, and focuses on providing comfort and pain relief when a cure is not possible. The goal is to help each person live as fully as possible and to help the family and loved ones participate in the person's care. Patients and their family members may decide to use every member of the team, or only a select few. Team members include:

The Hospice Nurse makes regularly scheduled visits to the patient providing expert pain management and symptom control techniques. Throughout the time the patient is under the care of hospice, the nurse keeps the primary physician informed of the patient's condition. Nurses provide the complete spectrum of skilled nursing care and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Home Health Aides provide assistance with the personal care of the patient.

Social Workers provide assistance with practical and financial concerns as well as emotional support, counseling and bereavement follow-up. They evaluate the need for volunteers and other support services needed by the family and facilitate communication between the family and community agencies.

Chaplains provide spiritual support to patients and families, often serving as a liaison between them and their religious community. Chaplains often assist with memorial services and funeral arrangements.

Trained Volunteers can offer respite care for family members as well as meaningful support to the patient.

The hospice team is available to assist patients and families in exploring the option of hospice care. For more information or to make a referral please call (360) 698-4611.

Our values:

• Respond to our patients' and families' needs
• Treat everyone with respect
• Acknowledge and embrace religious, ethnic and cultural diversity
• Provide the highest quality service
• Affirm patient self-determination, empowerment and choice
• Encourage staff's personal and professional development
• Demonstrate good stewardship of our resources

The Goals of Hospice Care:

• To support quality of life at the end of life by allowing patients and their loved ones to make choices about what is important to them.
• To provide effective pain control and symptom management.
• To help the patient and loved ones resolve end-of-life issues.

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