Hospice of Bristol Hospital

Hospice of Bristol Hospital is a specialized health care program dedicated to providing care and support to persons with life-threatening illnesses. Our goals are:

• To help the patient to live as fully as possible
• To support the family as the primary provider of care
• To keep the patient at home as long as is appropriate
• To provide bereavement support after the loved one has died

Services provided by Hospice

Hospice services are provided by a medically supervised team of professionals and volunteers. The hospice team works together with you to care for your physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. You may utilize all or part of the available services:

• Medical care focused on providing comfort
• Pain management and symptom control program
• Psychosocial and spiritual support for the patient and family
• Bereavement counseling for family members and significant others
• Hospice personnel available 24 hours-a-day
• Other services including Home Health Aides, Homemakers, Physical Therapy

How to Become Involved in Hospice of Bristol Hospital

Referrals are welcomed from patients, their families, physicians, health care professionals and the clergy. For more information about the program, or to make a referral, please call the Hospice Coordinator at 860-585-4752.

Hospice Volunteers

Our hospice volunteers bring a special kind of caring to our program. These dedicated, highly trained volunteers offer non-judgmental support and practical help to you and your family. Volunteers are good listeners who are committed to protecting your privacy and confidentiality.

Hospital Services

If you need to be hospitalized for short-term medical treatment, you will continue to be considered a Hospice of Bristol Hospital patient, and our team will continue to assist you. Our specially trained staff on the F-South unit works with the Hospice team to ensure continuous care. Hospice of Bristol Hospital does not provide long-term inpatient hospital care but will work with you and your family to make appropriate arrangements should the need arise.

Bereavement Program

Hospice care continues into the bereavement period with support for your family. Bristol Hospital offers a Bereavement Support Program to help the bereaved realize that they are not alone in their grief and to lead them through the grieving process by providing the following:

• A comprehensive packet of bereavement information and resources
• Follow-up correspondence at specific intervals throughout the first year after a loss
• Short-term grief counseling by telephone or office visit (assessment and professional referral if needed)
• Referral to "Coping With Grief" support group and other community resources

For patients, family members, staff or self-referral, call Bristol Hospital's bereavement coordinator at 860-585-4752. Hospice "On Call" is available 24 hours-a-day.

Coverage of Services

Some of the services provided by the Hospice program are covered by insurance. Services such as trained volunteers and bereavement programs are offered free of charge. These costs are incorporated into the Hospice program with the help of memorial gifts and community fundraising activities. If you have any questions concerning charges, please feel free to discuss this with your nurse, Hospice coordinator or social worker.