Much like other medical facilities, hospice does offer on-call services to respond to the needs of patients in distress. At iServe Healthcare, our experienced on-call team is always at the ready.
The Difference Between Hospice On-Call Services vs Other Healthcare Professionals
Being on-call at a hospice is slightly different than being on-call at a hospital. At hospice, being ready for emergencies is more than just physical medical emergencies. It means the care team is ready for emotional and spiritual distress as well. The team of specialized staff, like social workers, spiritual advisors, chaplains, and counselors, will be ready to support patients and their families.
For many families and patients, whether they’re at their private home or in a group home, hospice can be a very emotional time. The on-call team is always one phone call away to help relieve emotional distress, provide spiritual support, or be a calming presence during a stressful time.
The Benefits of On-Call Services
Choosing a hospice provider with 24/7 support, like iServe Healthcare, can have some much-needed benefits like:
- Caregiver relief. What makes hospice on-call services so different from hospitals is that they can provide some relief for caregivers during stressful periods. For example, it is highly recommended that caregivers request the help of an on-call nurse when new symptoms appear, pain becomes unmanageable, they have questions, or they need some guidance.
- Support for unique anxieties. Patients in hospice often have unique anxieties, like sundowning syndrome, also known as sundowning. This is a common condition in dementia patients experiencing a pattern of increased confusion, agitation, and behavioral changes during the late afternoon and evenings. Hospice staff are trained to manage these symptoms to provide relief from the distress of the patient and caregiver.
- Peace of mind. For many caregivers and family members, knowing there is someone to call for help if they need it can provide that added security and peace of mind, allowing them to have confidence in their abilities.
