Hospice Services

The hospice team works in close consultation with and is overseen by the hospice physician who directs clinical decisions and overall care of the patient. Your own physician may also be a part of the hospice team. You and your physician can decide whether they will continue to oversee your day-to-day care or if the Rio Grande Hospice physician will manage your care.

Hospice Aides are certified nursing assistants who provide personal care to the patient, such as bathing, dressing, and mouth care. They are available to ease the burden on family caregivers by participating in activities such as light housekeeping.

Rio Grande Chaplains come from many religious traditions and backgrounds and respect the spiritual or religious beliefs and traditions of every patient and family. They provide spiritual care – helping the patient find meaning and helping families with the process of grieving and healing. The Chaplain can also assist with funeral preparations and facilitate visits from other local clergy should the patient and family desire. Many patients often request for their Rio Grande Chaplain to officiate their funeral service. Rio Grande Chaplains also provide grief and bereavement support for the family for up to a year after the patient has passed.

Hospice social workers assist families in dealing with emotional, financial, and legal challenges. With your permission, they can collaborate with neighbors, church programs, and community agencies to provide assistance if necessary. They identify and link patients and families with vital community resources and offer counseling services. Social workers can also help patients express their emotions and concerns to their loved ones. Additionally, they may provide support in arranging advanced directives, living wills, and other healthcare-related information such as power of attorney.

A registered nurse (RN) is assigned to manage the patient’s care, making visits as often as necessary. The RN coordinates all patient services and is available 24/7, providing medical care, administering medications, assessing changing needs, educating caregivers, offering emotional support, and serving as a direct line of communication between the family and the hospice team.

The bereavement specialist is available to help individuals dealing with anticipatory grief and loss after someone has passed away. Hospice families can receive bereavement support for up to 13 months after a death, which includes consistent contact, support groups, grief education, and one-on-one visits. Rio Grande offers support to those who have experienced the death of a loved one at any time.

Hospice volunteers are individuals of all ages with a wide range of skills and talents. These compassionate volunteers generously offer their time to help patients and families in various ways. They visit patients to give caregivers a break, run errands, read to patients, help with household chores, and more. Our volunteers are assigned based on availability.