Each person and his or her family are provided services by a group of professionals called the hospice team. This team consists of:

Physicians - The patient's primary physician and the hospice medical director work together to plan the patient's medical care. They are always in close touch with the other members of the hospice team.

Nurses - Hospice nurses specialize in palliative care, which is a special kind of care that keeps pain to a minimum and focuses on comfort. The hospice nurse makes regular visits to monitor the patient's condition and provides the patient and family with information and education about the illness. Hospice nurses are available for emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Family Counselor - The family counselor helps the family deal with financial, insurance and legal issues, and helps them cope with the personal and social challenges of illness, disability and the dying process. Following the patient's death, family counselors work with family members, providing support so that they can move forward with their lives. Bereavement support is provided through one-on-one counseling and also through organized support groups. Often, these are open to other members of the community who may also be grieving, whether or not the grief involved a hospice-supported death.

Spiritual Care Coordinator - The patient's church or synagogue work closely with hospice to meet the unique needs of each individual. Hospice spiritual counselors are also available to help with the spiritual and religious needs of patients and families as they cope with the illness and end of life concerns. Hospice spiritual counselors can help with memorial services and funerals, at the family's request. Spiritual care counselors also help patients address life closure and the meaning of life.

Home Health Aid - Home health aides are skilled in helping the patient and caregiver manage the personal care of the patient, including personal grooming, some light housekeeping and cleanup of the patient area and many other duties as needs arise. Aides provide a break in the normal routine of personal care for the caregiver, and they offer both physical and emotional support.

Therapists - Physical, occupational, massage, music and speech therapists are available through hospice to help a patient maintain comfort or quality of life.

Volunteers - Hospice volunteers are members of the community who have special interest and training in helping people in the final phase of life. Volunteers can provide companionship for the patient and relief for the caregiver.