At South Coast Hospice and Palliative Care Services we know it is not easy to talk about death, but our reluctance may rob us of the end-of-life care we want. Some day we all face our own death, the death of loved ones, and the death of friends and neighbors. Hospice is a professional team specializing in assisting patients and their families to focus on living. When patients are referred to South Coast Hospice, their health care goals change from cure to comfort as life expectancy may become months versus years. South Coast Hospice provides a physician-directed, nurse/social worker - coordinated, interdisciplinary team approach to personal care. The interdisciplinary team consists of social workers, chaplain, home health aides, trained volunteers and other disciplines as needed. The Interdisciplinary team provides personalized training and counseling services with a caring compassionate attitude. With our approach to care, the patient, caregivers, and family (family unit) receives necessary information in preparing for death. The family unit are then better prepared for the reality of the illness and are able to face the last stages of life more comfortably and confidently.

Patients First

Meeting the needs of the patient and family is a top priority of South Coast Hospice and Palliative Care Services. The entire family unit, including the patient, family and caregivers is an integral part of South Coast Hospice care team. The family unit is taught skills to care for the patient in the home. The entire family unit is an essential part of the decision making process.

Physicians

Dr. Dallas Carter is the Medical Director at South Coast Hospice. He directs the Plan of Care for each patient and regularly consults with the hospice interdisciplinary team for each patient. Dr. Carter may serve as a consultant to the patient's personal physician in the areas of pain and symptom management. Dr. Carter has full privileges at Bay Area Hospital, and is one of the few Certified Palliative Care Physicians in the Nation.

Nurses

Nursing Services include assessment of symptoms, pain management as well as personal care. South Coast Hospice nurses are trained to evaluate pain and symptoms to provide services that alleviate the suffering associated with terminal illness. South Coast Hospice nurses provide patient and family education on care giving and end-of-life issues. South Coast Hospice nurses make regularly scheduled visits to patients. Hospice team support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Home Health Aides

South Coast Hospice Certified Home Health Aides provide personalized patient care and respite for the family.

Social Workers

Licensed social workers enhance the meaning and quality of a patient's life by providing emotional support to the patient and their family. They provide counseling in dealing with end-of-life issues, help with advanced directives, and assist in understanding Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance benefits. Social workers also help patients and families find and coordinate community resources.

Chaplain

The pain experienced by a hospice patient can be emotional, spiritual as well as physical. The patients and family members often find it helpful to speak with a Chaplain about the questions and anxiety associated with the end of life. The South Coast Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplains also help patients maintain contact with their faith communities, as requested. All South Coast Hospice employees respect the spiritual and lifestyle choices of our patients and their families.

Trained Volunteers

Trained volunteers work in harmony with the professional staff to provide patient and family support. Trained volunteers offer patients and families a listening ear, a hand to hold and the presence of a caring heart. Services offered by the volunteers are as varied as the needs of the patients and families. South Coast Hospice volunteers receive 11 weeks of specialized training before being assigned to patients and families. The expertise and enthusiasm of our trained volunteers are an invaluable asset to South Coast Hospice and Palliative Care Services. For More information about becoming a volunteer click here.

Bereavement

The concerns of South Coast Hospice and Palliative Care Services does not end with the death of the patient. Our services follow family and caregivers for 13 months following the patients death. Bereavement services may include visits, phone calls, private grief and loss counseling, bereavement support and education groups, Light House Center program (support for grieving children, teens and their families), and continued support of a trained volunteer. To see the Community Bereavement and Education Center Calendar of Bereavement Groups click here.