WISSAHICKON HOSPICE
One of the oldest and largest programs in the Philadelphia region,
Wissahickon Hospice has been setting the standard
of hospice care since 1982, serving patients
and their families in Philadelphia, Chester, Delaware,
Bucks and Montgomery counties. As part of Penn
Home Care & Hospice Services, Wissahickon Hospice
cares for patients with a wide variety of diagnoses
including cancer, end-stage heart disease, end-stage
dementia and other terminal illnesses.
Our holistic philosophy takes a pro-active approach
to pain and symptom management and recognizes that
pain extends beyond the physical. We address not only
the symptoms of the illness, but also the patient's
emotional and spiritual concerns -- assisting the patient
and loved ones with the challenges that come with death
and dying.
We provide a supportive environment for the patient
and family to rely on, including four types of
hospice care:
- basic daily care
- continuous care
- nursing home care including respite
care
- inpatient care
In addition, Wissahickon
Hospice provides bereavement services after
the patient's
death, including a children's bereavement program.
Our multidisciplinary hospice team provides a wide
range of support, allowing patients to live out their
final months comfortably, in control, and with the
dignity and respect they deserve. All team members
– RNs to social workers, home health aides and bereavement
specialists, administrative and financial staff – are
trained in hospice and end-of-life issues, regardless
of his/her discipline, and are sensitive to the need
for the patient's comfort and peace of mind.
In order to maintain and surpass our pain management
standards, we stress specialized, ongoing education
for all our hospice nurses. Our diverse training
program includes:
- Hospice
orientation to train our nurses in palliative
care
- A
clinical nurse educator, who performs frequent
reviews of pain and symptom management
methods and issues
- Our
nursing grand rounds program, in which our
nurses receive training in palliative issues (such
as medication management). A University of
Pennsylvania Health System physician
is part of the presentation team for every
grand rounds session
As an alternative to hospice care, we offer patients
and families the option of our Caring Way program.
This special home care program is for the patient
with an end-stage illness who may be continuing
curative treatment or is not prepared to accept
hospice care. Caring Way utilizes our hospice nurses
to provide care to the homebound patient with
a skilled nursing need. A patient who is used to living
independently may be eligible for our Living Alone
program, which does not have the requirement of a live-in
caregiver.
Wissahickon Hospice employees are able to
enjoy extensive professional
development opportunities
along with an exceptional benefits package.
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