Each hospice patient 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 personal physician and the hospice physician work together to plan the patient's actual 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 increases comfort. The hospice nurse makes regular visits to monitor the patient's condition. The nurse provides the patient and family with information about the illness and helps them manage the pain and symptoms of the disease. Hospice nurses are available for emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Social Worker
The social worker acts as a counselor to the patient and the family, and helps the family deal with financial, insurance, and legal issues. The social worker helps them cope with the personal and social challenges of illness, disability, and the dying process.

Spiritual Counselor
The patient's church or synagogue works closely with the 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. Hospice spiritual counselors can help with memorial services and funerals, at the family's request.

Home Health Aide
Home health aides are skilled in helping the patient and caregiver manage the personal care of the patient – personal grooming, some light housekeeping and clean-up 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, 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 a 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.

Bereavement Counselors
Bereavement counselors work with family members after the death of the loved one, providing support so that they can move forward with their lives. Bereavement counselors provide one-on-one counseling and also organize support groups.