Knowing the challenges that surround conversations and decisions about end-of-life and hospice care, Lisaard & Innisfree Hospice is very pleased to introduce a new Hospice Navigator Program.
About the Program
We regularly receive referrals for our care from our partners in healthcare, such as hospitals, physicians, nurse practitioners, and social workers. While this process has largely been initiated by our partners, beginning in the last week of May, our Hospice Navigator Program launched to support patients, families, and referral partners through a more proactive approach to accessing hospice care.
About the Team
Our Hospice Navigators are a specialized team of healthcare professionals with decades of collective expertise in palliative care. Their role within our community is to nurture existing relationships and establish meaningful connections by working alongside our referral partners and with patients to help engage them with an understanding of hospice options available, and to help approach these difficult conversations with accurate information and compassion earlier in an individual’s illness. In turn, partnership with our Hospice Navigators will help improve a patient’s continuity of care, and reduce some of the pressures that can arise during end-of-life transitions.
“I am incredibly proud of how we’ve created this team. We know that conversations regarding end-of-life are emotionally challenging for patients and families, and we’ve enabled our team of Hospice Navigators to work with healthcare teams to consult with families to clarify hospice eligibility and goals of care. Each individual situation is unique, and the role of our Navigators is to help achieve more seamless transitions for patients into care at the most appropriate time for them,” says Maria Empringham, Executive Director.
“We are confident that our compassionate end-of-life care is strengthened through relationship-building, education, and communication. It’s so important to have enabled our Hospice Navigators to support earlier, better-informed conversations regarding the benefits of hospice care while strengthening collaboration across our healthcare system,” remarks Tian Sun-Sycz, Director of Programs and Services, “it’s a win for patients, our healthcare system, and our community.”
In addition to care in our hospice residence, we offer a number of complementary supports in our hospice and community such as Spiritual Care, Music Therapy, Social Work, Legacy and Art Therapy, Bereavement Programs, and Community Education. Please reach out and connect with us (intake@lisaardandinnisfree.com | 219.208.5055 x253) for more information – we’re always happy to hear from our community.
