Hospice Care in Des Moines, IA and Surrounding Areas

Your Care Team

• RN Case Manager: St. Croix Hospice RN Case Managers ensure all Des Moines hospice care services are coordinated and managed appropriately. The RN Case Manager facilitates communication between the hospice and other health care providers involved in the patient’s care. The RN Case Manager secures all necessary medications, supplies and equipment related to terminal illness and related conditions. The RN Case Manager incorporates specialized nursing skills related to palliative care and end-of-life care into all clinical care provided. The RN Case Manager will provide the patient and family/caregiver with education regarding the disease process, self-care techniques, end-of-life care and processes for addressing ethical issues.
• Physician Services: St. Croix Hospice Physicians provide oversight of Physician Services by complementing attending physician care, acting as a medical resource to the interdisciplinary group, assuring continuity of hospice medical services and confirming the appropriate measures to control patient symptoms.
• Social Worker: St. Croix Hospice Social Workers offer support to patients and caregivers for the emotional challenges of terminal illness. Services provided by the Social Worker include counseling, identifying community resources, help with funeral plans or legal matters, and information about advance directives.
• Hospice Aide: St. Croix Hospice Aides administer routine personal care including: bathing, washing hair, range of motion activities, dressing changes, assisting the patient to the bathroom, use of commode or bed pan, assisting with meal preparation, feeding the patient, light housekeeping and/or linen changes. Hospice Aides do not administer medication. Aide activities will be assigned and supervised by the RN Case Manager.
• Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapists: St. Croix Hospice contracted licensed Therapists or licensed Therapy Assistants provide rehabilitation services to promote the patient’s ability to continue activities of daily living, perform basic skills and manage symptoms. Rehabilitation services are not necessarily appropriate for all hospice patients. Ask your local hospice in Des Moines for more information about rehabilitation services.
• Volunteers: St. Croix Hospice Volunteers work with your care team to provide companionship, emotional support and conversation. Volunteers may be scheduled regularly or come for a single visit.
• Spiritual Counselors: Non-denominational St. Croix Hospice Spiritual Counselors, or “Chaplains,” provide spiritual care when requested. They can help patients and families navigate feelings such as fear, grief, forgiveness and anger during scheduled visits. Chaplains can also provide guidance with funeral services or connecting you with other spiritual support in the Greater Des Moines community. Chaplains will not try to change your beliefs or impose their own beliefs.
• Dietary Counselor: Hospice care services in Des Moines and the surrounding areas can include nutritional counseling. Nutritional counseling may be implemented to ensure dietary needs are met.
• Bereavement Counselor: Bereavement Counselors help family and caregivers navigate grief and provide information and resources. Bereavement support is also provided for up to 13 months following a patient’s death. The primary caregiver and all family members can receive bereavement support which may include phone calls, newsletters, visits and referrals to outside organizations. Contact one of our local hospices in Des Moines for additional information about bereavement services.