Hospice & Palliative Care

Long-Term & End-of-Life Care

For patients who have life-limiting illnesses or health conditions, Allied Services Hospice is committed to delivering the highest standard of care with compassionate attention to the patient’s comfort. We offer expert medical and emotional support, with respect for the wishes of the patient and family.

Allied Services Integrated Health System offers both hospice and palliative care services to people throughout the Scranton area. Although these services have some similarities, they are designed for two different types of patients:

• Hospice care is for patients who are in the final stages of life. Hospice care professionals focus on improving a patient’s comfort and quality of life, as well as providing them and their families with emotional support during this difficult time.
• Palliative care is a long-term care program for patients with serious, chronic medical conditions. These treatments are focused on improving patient comfort and managing symptoms rather than treating the primary condition. Palliative care is not hospice care as patients and their care team still plan on helping the patient recover.

Hospice

The core members of our Hospice team are the Medical Director, Registered Nurse/Case Manager, Medical Social Worker, Certified Nurses’ Aides, Spiritual and Bereavement Counselors, and specially-trained volunteers. Other professionals are available to meet specific needs, including physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory therapists, as well as dietitians and pharmacists.

Levels of Care

Routine Care

Routine Care is provided as intermittent home visits based on the needs of the patient/family. The core team provides all services as needed in the patient’s home/place of residence. All services on-call available 24 hours a day

Continuous Home Care

Continuous Home Care occurs during periods of crisis and is primarily nursing care (51% nursing, 49% hospice aide). If a patient is residing in a skilled nursing bed, continuous care cannot be provided by hospice. This level of care often occurs during the last days of life when symptoms are out of control.

Respite Care

Hospice contracts with a skilled nursing facility for a bed for a maximum of five days’ stay to relieve the family temporarily of caregiving. Visits and care and are available 24 hours per day.

Inpatient Care

Inpatient care may be necessary if symptoms can no longer be managed at home, patients require short-term stabilization, or there is a family caregiver emergency. Inpatient care is available at Allied Services Hospice Center in Scranton and Allied Services Hospice Center in Wilkes-Barre.

Hospice Services

Core services:

• Medical Direction by the hospice physician
• Routine and/or on-call nursing services on a 24/7 from a registered nurse
• Medical Social Services by a qualified social worker under the direction of a physician
• Counseling including spiritual, bereavement, dietary services
• Bereavement services available to the family and other members of the care team

Ancillary services:

• Medical equipment, appliances, and supplies
• Drugs/pharmaceuticals for pain/symptom management
• PT/OT/ST
• Ambulance and labs related to the terminal illness
• Palliative services including radiation therapy, transfusions, etc., as needed

Palliative Care

Palliative care is a relatively new specialty and one that is often misunderstood by patients and families. At its core, palliative care is about helping people living with a serious illness feel better. In contrast to hospice care, palliative care is about improving a patient’s quality of life alongside curative and life-prolonging care.

Living with a serious illness can be challenging for patients and families. There can be confusion about complex medical decisions, concerns for the future, uncontrolled symptoms and frequent trips to the emergency room.

Palliative care seeks help from many sources, including doctors and nurses specializing in pain control, social workers, chaplains, nutritionists, rehab specialists, pharmacists, and others. In addition to systematically addressing pain, palliative care:

• Helps coordinate complicated medical care
• Helps patients and families clarify their own goals and priorities and understand their treatment options
• Offers support, counseling, and community resources to reduce family and caregiver stress

Is Palliative Care Right For Me?

Our palliative care program is specialized medical care for people living with serious illness. It is appropriate for adults at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided together with curative treatment. Our goal is to provide treatment options that restore both patient and families quality of life through the utilization of detailed assessment, communication, and high-quality compassionate care.

Care is provided by a team of skilled, compassionate health care professionals that includes a physician, nurse practitioner, and, depending on your needs and preferences, a social worker and chaplain. Over the course of several visits, we will talk with you about your illness, symptoms, care and your personal goals. Based on this information, we will work with you and your physician to develop a care plan that is focused on your specific needs and goals. Your individual care plan may include:

• Symptom management
• Support with making difficult medical decisions
• Coordination with other medical professionals
• Communication with family members and other caregivers
• Coordination of in-home care and support services

As your needs change, we will be there to provide you with the care you need and to recommend any appropriate changes to your care. Together, our team will work with you to ensure you achieve your goals and receive the best possible care.

Contact Us

To request services please call 570-341-4320 or 1-844-205-0104 or fax information to 570-341-4519. Our staff will guide you through the process and determine whether the patient qualifies for hospice or palliative services.