You and your loved ones
are the most important members
of the hospice team.

You are the focus of care. The patient, along with the rest of the hospice team, determines the kind of care that will be given. It is important for you to let us know what you want and need during this time.

Arkansas Hospice Care Team

It takes a special person to work in hospice. Our Care Team members bring their individual talents together to provide care and support to patients and their families.

Ask any one of our team members and they will tell you, the rewards are endless.

Our care team - from chaplain to medical director to home health aide to RN to clinical social worker to volunteer to bereavement specialist - is made up of rare individuals. Talented, committed professionals who inspire respect and admiration every hour of the day.

Working in hospice is more than a career choice. It's a calling. And to our patients and their families, the Arkansas Hospice Care Team provides comfort and closure during one of life's most difficult and emotional times.

Physicians

While the family physician will continue to be an intricate part of the patient's care plan, Arkansas Hospice also has physicians who administer hospice care. The hospice physician will be directly involved in the care as desired by the patient, family and family physician. This physician may also make home visits as needed. Meet our Medical Director

Nurses

The primary care nurse is the coordinator for the patient's hospice care. This includes providing prompt relief of symptoms, teaching patient care, requesting other services as needed, arranging for supplies and home aide visits, and providing support to the patient and family. While the nurses make frequent visits to the homes and nursing homes, they are also available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week in case of emergencies. Nurses provide direct care around the clock in the Arkansas Hospice Inpatient Centers.

Certified Nursing Assistants

The responsibilities of the CNA include tasks associated with daily living such as giving showers or baths, assisting with skin care and personal hygiene, serving meals, and assisting with ambulation. Also, under a nurse's supervision, CNA's check vital signs and report any physical and mental changes.

Social Workers

Every patient at Arkansas Hospice receives services from a social worker. Social workers are trained professionals who specialize in helping patients and their families work through the many changes that a terminal illness brings. They help family members adjust to their new roles and responsibilities, explain financial and legal matters, identify appropriate community resources and discuss options of care.

Chaplains

Arkansas Hospice chaplains are available 24-hours per day, 7 days per week to assist patients and family members with religious and spiritual concerns. They provide spiritual counseling, help in planning funerals, and referrals to community clergy and faith communities. It is the goal of Arkansas Hospice chaplains to support you as you seek spiritual wholeness and peace. Volunteer chaplains graciously assist our staff chaplains in providing tender, loving care.

Bereavement Counselors

Bereavement counselors are trained to help the families work through the grief process after loosing a loved one. They are also available to assist patients and families with anticipatory grief. The counselors will maintain regular contact with families, as needed, for 13 months.

Volunteers

Volunteers are an important part of the Arkansas Hospice team. They are caring people from all walks of life. Some may have had experiences similar to your own, which may give them a greater understanding of your situation.

All volunteers are highly trained to assist with hospice care. Some of the ways volunteers assist with hospice care include: making personal visits or phone calls, sitting with the patient to give the caregivers a break, finding needed community resources, and most of all, listening and sharing thoughts and feelings