When a loved one begins hospice care, families may meet several professionals who provide different types of support. Two of the care team members that you will see regularly throughout your loved one’s time in hospice care are a registered nurse (RN) and a certified nursing assistant (CNA) who may also be referred to as a hospice aide.
While both roles are important, they do support the patient in different ways. The RN primarily oversees clinical needs while the CNA or hospice aide assists with personal care, safety and everyday comfort. Understanding these differences can help caregivers know who to approach with questions or concerns.
You can also learn more about the complete hospice care team and their responsibilities here.
What Does a Hospice RN Do?
A hospice RN focuses on the patient’s medical needs, comfort and individualized care plan. The nurse assesses the patient’s condition, monitors symptoms and helps determine what support may be needed as the illness progresses.
Hospice RN responsibilities may include:
- Assessing the patient’s needs and developing an individualized care plan
- Monitoring vital signs and evaluating comfort levels
- Administering prescribed medications and treatments
- Managing pain and other symptoms
- Educating caregivers about end-of-life symptoms and available treatments
- Providing physical, emotional and mental support
- Coordinating care with physicians and other members of the hospice team
The RN is generally the appropriate person to contact when caregivers have questions about medications, pain, breathing changes, new or worsening symptoms or changes in the patient’s overall condition.
What Does a Hospice CNA Do?
A hospice CNA or hospice aide provides hands-on assistance with personal care and activities of daily living. This support helps the patient remain clean, comfortable and safe while also easing some of the daily responsibilities placed on family caregivers.
Hospice CNA responsibilities may include:
- Assisting with bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding and toileting
- Providing oral care, hair care and skin care
- Helping with mobility and transfers
- Changing bed linens
- Helping maintain a clean, comfortable and safe environment
- Offering companionship and emotional support
- Observing the patient and reporting changes or concerns to the hospice team
At Three Oaks Hospice, CNAs and hospice aides provide care wherever the patient resides and share important observations with the supervising RN.
How Do Hospice RNs and CNAs Work Together?
While the roles and responsibilities of CNAs and RNs differ, each profession provides a crucial layer of support to the patient’s care. Together, RNs and CNAs help protect the patient’s comfort, dignity and quality of life while giving families additional guidance and reassurance. Their ongoing communication helps the entire hospice team respond to the patient’s changing needs.
As a caregiver, understanding how your hospice care team works together allows for a smooth workflow. As questions may arise when your loved one is in the care of these professionals, it is helpful to know who to contact when items need to be addressed.
Communicating with Your Hospice
As a caregiver, understanding how your hospice care team works together allows for a smooth workflow. As questions may arise when your loved one is in the care of these professionals, it is important to keep your hospice care team informed on any patient changes.
When should the caregiver reach out to the hospice?
Contact Three Oaks Hospice for RN needs when there is:
- Changes in pain or symptoms
- Medication or treatment questions
- New breathing difficulties
- Changes in alertness or comfort
- Questions about the end-of-life process
- Concerns that may require an updated care plan
Share updates with the hospice team regarding CNA services when there are changes to:
- Bathing, grooming and hygiene
- Dressing, feeding or toileting assistance
- Bed linens and the patient’s immediate environment
- Everyday personal care and comfort needs
It is important to share any patient updates with your hospice team, but don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. Three Oaks and our sister companies are available 24/7.
When a loved one begins hospice care, families may meet several professionals who provide different types of support. Two of the care team members that you will see regularly throughout your loved one’s time in hospice care are a registered nurse (RN) and a certified nursing assistant (CNA) who may also be referred to as a hospice aide.
While both roles are important, they do support the patient in different ways. The RN primarily oversees clinical needs while the CNA or hospice aide assists with personal care, safety and everyday comfort. Understanding these differences can help caregivers know who to approach with questions or concerns.
You can also learn more about the complete hospice care team and their responsibilities here.
What Does a Hospice RN Do?
A hospice RN focuses on the patient’s medical needs, comfort and individualized care plan. The nurse assesses the patient’s condition, monitors symptoms and helps determine what support may be needed as the illness progresses.
Hospice RN responsibilities may include:
- Assessing the patient’s needs and developing an individualized care plan
- Monitoring vital signs and evaluating comfort levels
- Administering prescribed medications and treatments
- Managing pain and other symptoms
- Educating caregivers about end-of-life symptoms and available treatments
- Providing physical, emotional and mental support
- Coordinating care with physicians and other members of the hospice team
The RN is generally the appropriate person to contact when caregivers have questions about medications, pain, breathing changes, new or worsening symptoms or changes in the patient’s overall condition.
What Does a Hospice CNA Do?
A hospice CNA or hospice aide provides hands-on assistance with personal care and activities of daily living. This support helps the patient remain clean, comfortable and safe while also easing some of the daily responsibilities placed on family caregivers.
Hospice CNA responsibilities may include:
- Assisting with bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding and toileting
- Providing oral care, hair care and skin care
- Helping with mobility and transfers
- Changing bed linens
- Helping maintain a clean, comfortable and safe environment
- Offering companionship and emotional support
- Observing the patient and reporting changes or concerns to the hospice team
At Three Oaks Hospice, CNAs and hospice aides provide care wherever the patient resides and share important observations with the supervising RN.
How Do Hospice RNs and CNAs Work Together?
While the roles and responsibilities of CNAs and RNs differ, each profession provides a crucial layer of support to the patient’s care. Together, RNs and CNAs help protect the patient’s comfort, dignity and quality of life while giving families additional guidance and reassurance. Their ongoing communication helps the entire hospice team respond to the patient’s changing needs.
As a caregiver, understanding how your hospice care team works together allows for a smooth workflow. As questions may arise when your loved one is in the care of these professionals, it is helpful to know who to contact when items need to be addressed.
Communicating with Your Hospice
As a caregiver, understanding how your hospice care team works together allows for a smooth workflow. As questions may arise when your loved one is in the care of these professionals, it is important to keep your hospice care team informed on any patient changes.
When should the caregiver reach out to the hospice?
Contact Three Oaks Hospice for RN needs when there is:
- Changes in pain or symptoms
- Medication or treatment questions
- New breathing difficulties
- Changes in alertness or comfort
- Questions about the end-of-life process
- Concerns that may require an updated care plan
Share updates with the hospice team regarding CNA services when there are changes to:
- Bathing, grooming and hygiene
- Dressing, feeding or toileting assistance
- Bed linens and the patient’s immediate environment
- Everyday personal care and comfort needs
It is important to share any patient updates with your hospice team, but don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. Three Oaks and our sister companies are available 24/7.
