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Palliative and Hospice Care.
We provide two unique supportive care programs. These include Palliative Care and Hospice Care. Both programs are customized to meet the patient and their family’s needs. Just as no two people are alike, neither is the care required. Friends of Caroline provides concierge services, tailoring care to fit your needs.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative Care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is specialized holistic care for individuals with chronic illness. This type of care focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress caused from dealing with illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. This care is provided while the patient is still seeking active treatment. There are no time or age restraints.
What is provided?
- Nurse Practitioner to coordinate care with medical specialists/medical team
- Registered Nurse Case Manager
- 24/7 Medical Care (Phone and In-Person)
- Coordination of appointments and medications
- Emotional Support
- Financial Resources/Management
- Medical social workers
- Clergy or other counselors
What is Hospice Care?
Hospice Care focuses on caring, not curing, when a patient has exhausted all potentially curative treatments. The plan of care is tailored to meet the needs of the patient and their support systems. This type of care is typically in the last six months of life however there is no time frame on how long a patient can have hospice care. Often times with this holistic care, patients live longer.
What is provided?
- Medical Director
- Nurse Practitioner
- Coordination with patient’s primary physician (should the patient have one)
- Registered Nurse Case Manager
- 24/7 Medical Care (Phone and In-Person)
- Certified nursing assistants (CNAs)
- Medical social workers
- Trained volunteers
- Clergy or other counselors
- Emotional Support
- Speech, physical, and occupational therapists, as needed.
- Medications
- Supplies (briefs, chucks, wipes, protective cream, dressings, etc.)
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
When should I call FRIENDS of Caroline?
The time is now. Our patients agree that they wish they would have called sooner. Here are some signs that say it is time to call now:
- Falls/multiple calls for lift and assist
- Multiple Emergency Room visits
- Weight loss/weight gain
- Unable to do the activities you once were able to (spending more time at home, feeling isolated)
- Need help at home (home health, private caregivers)
Who pays for Palliative Care and Hospice Care?
FRIENDS of Caroline is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Should a patient have Medicare, Medicaid or Private Insurance e.g. Blue Cross Blue Shield, the insurance provider is billed. Fundraisers and donations allow superior care to be provided to everyone regardless of ability to pay. We believe this should be a human right.
Grief Busters: Coping With Grief
The grief journey is difficult to navigate alone. That’s why FRIENDS of Caroline offers support groups to help people who struggle with moving forward with their grief. Support groups provide participants the opportunity to talk with others about their shared experiences, common compassion for one another, and understanding of what each other is going through.
GRIEF GROUPS
Below are descriptions and times of the support groups we provide. If you are interested in participating with one of these groups, please fill out the Grief Group Registration form.
Grief Busters: Parents
This group is for anyone who has experienced the loss of a son or daughter (minor or adult). The relationship can be based on biology, adoption, or marriage. Meets at 5:30pm on the second Tuesday of every month.
Grief Busters: Spouses or Partners
This group is for anyone who has experienced the death of a spouse or partner. Meets at 5:30pm the third Thursday of every month.
Grief Busters: Coaching Parents of Grieving Students
These virtual coaching groups are designed to help parents with students (grades K-12) who are grieving. Parents may ask questions, talk about challenges they are experiencing, and learn activities and strategies to help their students cope with grief. If you are interested in participating with a coaching session, please fill out the Coaching Registration form.
Grief Busters: Students
The Student Grief Team of FRIENDS of Caroline is a group of volunteers trained to help students cope with the death of a person they loved. Through a support group, 2 - 6 grieving students work together in discussions, games, art, music, and writing. The sessions are conducted at your student's school during school hours once each week for 6 weeks. Tell your student’s school counselor or social worker that your student has suffered a loss. The school counselor or social worker will contact FRIENDS to enlist a volunteer to facilitate a Support Group and will send home information and a permission form. Sign and return the permission form to the school. Students can only participate with permission from the parent or legal guardian.
Grief Busters: Everyone
Coming in 2024. This group is for anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one. Meets at 5:30pm on the fourth Thursday of every month. Group does not meet in November or December.
Student Bereavement Camp
Camp Caroline is a free
grief camp for students in grades 1 - 8 who are grieving the death of a person they loved. The camp provides a safe, caring environment where students can learn how to share their grief experience with each other, recognize the support systems around them, and to cope effectively with their grief emotions.
Check back here for information on Camp Caroline in 2024!
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