Wellstar Hospice Care
Celebrating a life well lived
For more than 38 years, Wellstar Hospice Care has delivered medical, psychological and spiritual support to hospice patients and their families.
Compassionate End-of-Life Care for Your Loved One
At each of our Hospice locations, we take a unique, collaborate approach that addresses the holistic needs of your loved one. Physicians lead a team that includes a patient’s own care team, specialized nurses and clinical care partners as well as bereavement professionals, chaplains and social workers who provide emotional support to patients and families.
The goal of the home hospice team is to create an individual plan of care for you and your family. We believe the end of life deserves as much love and care as the beginning.
Hospice Levels of Care
Routine Home Care
Routine Home care is the most common and utilized hospice level of care. This level of care is conducted in your home as the Case Manager will initially visit weekly, visits will increase as the medical need arises for more frequent visits. The hospice team works in an interdisciplinary approach to ensure that your needs are met whether it be through Medical management, Social Work care, and Spiritual Care.Inpatient Hospice Care
In collaboration with your caregiver, we work diligently to keep your loved one comfortable at home, but if a symptom becomes unmanageable in the home setting (as determined by RN Case Manager and Medical Director), we have the option to transfer them to the hospice inpatient unit. Our hospice inpatient unit provides around the clock care end of life/symptom management. The goal of our Tranquility inpatient settings is to manage the patient’s symptoms so that they are stable enough to return home. Wellstar Hospice currently operates three inpatient units, the first unit is in Austell on the Wellstar Cobb Medical Center campus, the second unit behind Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center, and the third unit being inside the Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange.Respite Care
Respite Care is conducted in our Inpatients Units for a length of 5 nights. Respite care can be provided as either a scheduled time (family has a trip planned, home renovations planned, etc.) or unexpected time (an emergency in the home, medical emergency with the caregiver, etc.). The patient is able to stay for up to 5 consecutive nights at the inpatient facility. After these 5 nights, they will be transported back home.Continuous Care
Continuous care is a level of hospice care conducted in the patient’s home when the patient/ caregiver desires to remain in the home and not be transported to the inpatient unit. Continuous care is nursing care provided around the clock when the patient is experiencing a crisis or symptoms out of control. The goal of continuous care is to honor the patient/caregivers wishes and maintain the patient in the home until the crisis is resolved and symptoms are under control. Continuous care is generally conducted for short periods of time in the home to bring the patient back to a comfortable level of care.The Hospice Care Team
RN Case Manager
Typically visits weekly—one or two times a week depending on acuity and patient’s needs. Visit frequency increases if there are needs such as intensive medical issues or uncontrolled symptoms. The RN Case Manager typically works 8 AM to 5 PM.Certified Nursing Assistant (if needed)
Usually visits twice a week (or more often based on circumstances) to assist with personal care. They provide a bath or shower, shampoo, change bed linens and generally assist with the activities of daily living your loved one is unable to do. CNA services are optional, but they are a great resource to help make caring for your loved one at home more manageable.Social Worker
Typically visits monthly or more frequently if needs arise. They specialize in helping you process the diagnosis/prognosis and assist with any financial issues, caregiver plans, funeral plans/resources, Family and Medical Leave Act regulations and community resources that may be needed. They are a great resource to serve as additional emotional support for your family on this journey.Chaplain (if desired)
Typically visits monthly or more frequently if needs arise. Our chaplains offer spiritual care to those from a broad range of cultural and religious traditions, as well as those with no religious or spiritual beliefs. They provide spiritual and emotional support to patients, family members and loved ones. Our chaplains offer support and guidance as you face the challenges that come with illness, loss and the resulting life changes.Hospice Medical Director
Typically manages the medical care of hospice patients. The RN case manager will consult with the medical director for any medication adjustment. The hospice medical director does not make house calls and will not physically assess your loved one, but they will be kept updated of issues and changes by the RN case manager. While in hospice, patients still see doctors who specialize in conditions unrelated to the hospice diagnosis, such as podiatrists, optometrists, dentists or dermatologists. If your loved one has a specialist or primary care doctor who has been their physician for a long time, that physician can stay updated on their care. The hospice staff is also able to keep them informed regarding your condition if you like, but they will no longer be able to make changes to the plan of care such as ordering new medicines, tests, etc.Volunteers
Available on a limited basis. They provide a comforting presence, but they do not assist with hands-on patient care. Volunteers provide in-home company and connection to hospice patients and families. They are assigned by request based on availability and location.On-call Staff
On-call nurse nights and weekends (470) 793-5000 On-call RN Staff are available between 5 PM to 8 AM for questions and concerns. They are able to make a visit to the patient’s home if medically indicated.Inpatient Unit
As a home hospice patient, you also have access to our hospice inpatient unit, which we use for two reasons: symptom management and respite care.Symptom Management
We will do everything we can to keep your loved one comfortable at home, but if a symptom becomes unmanageable in the home setting (as determined by RN Case Manager and Medical Director), we have the option to transfer them to the hospice inpatient unit. Our hospice inpatient unit provides around the clock care by medical and nursing staff who are experts in end of life/symptom management. The goal of our Tranquility inpatient settings is to manage the patient’s symptoms so that they are stable enough to return back home.Respite Care
This is a wonderful hospice benefit which can provide a break for the caregiving family members. Respite care can be provided as either a scheduled time (family has a trip planned, home renovations planned, etc) or unexpected time (an emergency in the home, medical emergency with the caregiver, etc). The patient is able to stay for up to 5 consecutive nights at the inpatient facility. After these 5 nights, they will be transported back home. When a patient is transported to or from the inpatient unit, hospice covers the ambulance transportation.- Respite is not provided on any given schedule and is based on specific need of patient and family. Respite stays cannot be concurrent (more than 5 nights at a time in one “respite stay”) and must be approved by the hospice medical director. Even if the need is great, the patient has to go home for 24-48 hours between respite stays.
- Medicare does not allow a patient admitted to hospice and go straight from a hospital to an inpatient hospice unit for a respite stay.
Supplies Provided
- Our team will provide most of the supplies needed to care for your loved one at home, including diapers/pull-ups/disposable pads, wipes, shampoo, lotion and wound care supplies.
- In some cases, tube feed supplies are also covered by hospice. That is decided on a case-by-case basis after hospice medical director review.
- Hospice does not cover bed linens or hospital gowns.
- All typical durable medical equipment (DME) will be provided such as a hospital bed, bedside table, walker, wheelchair and oxygen.
- Specialty DME, like a Hoyer lift, Airvo machine, etc., can be provided on a case-by-case basis once approved by hospice management.
Bereavement Services
Wellstar Community Hospice continues to care for our families by offering bereavement services through 13 months after a loved one’s death.- Wellstar Community Hospice offers two annual public gatherings to remember and celebrate the lives of our loved ones: May Tranquil Reflections at the Marietta Square fountain and a Celebrations of Life and Remembrance Service at Grace Community Church on Kennesaw Avenue in Marietta.
- Camp Tranquility - A day camp for family grief held annually for kids and teens (ages six to 18) and two of their adult caregivers. This day allows a space for families to acknowledge their grief and offers strategies to help cope with loss.
- For family members who are struggling with grief processing, a bereavement coordinator can offer two to three one-on-one phone sessions, including referrals for counseling.
Locations
Camp Tranquility Registration Form
Camp Tranquility is a community workshop for individuals and families who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Adults and campers six years of age and older participate in sessions designed to aid in healthy grief expression.
At Camp Tranquility, participants build community with others experiencing similar losses while learning:
- Age-specific strategies for processing grief
- Self-care and stress reduction
- Parenting through loss
- Talking to children about death and grief
- Activities for family healing over time