Compassion in Action

Hospice is a specialized, personalized approach to medical care and support at the end of life.  Care is focused on honoring patients' wishes, ensuring their personal dignity, and providing physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort.

Since 1977, Hospice of the East Bay has been effective in improving the quality of life for adults and children with life-limiting illnesses by providing expert, compassionate care in the comfort and privacy of home.  "Home" may be a patient's residence, that of a friend or relative, or an assisted living, residential care, or skilled nursing facility--or our Bruns House inpatient hospice facility.  The goal of care is to make our patients as comfortable and pain free as possible and to ease their sense of  loneliness and fear.

At our hospice, ALL medically qualified patients receive services, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.

Family members of our patients are trained to confidently care for their loved one, with the constant support of their hospice team.  They also are assisted as they cope with their own emotional, spiritual, and practical needs.

Hospice team members are available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.  It is our mission to be by the sides of our patients and their families, every step of the way, so that they do not feel alone and are ensured the best possible quality of life during the important final phase of life.

Hospice Services:

Our teams of healthcare professionals, led by our Medical Director, provide the following services at no cost to the patient or family.  As a patient, you will receive the following services:

• Medications and other methods of pain and symptom control
• Coordination of care with the your personal physician
• Medical equipment and supplies related to the illness or condition
• Individualized medical care focused on your comfort and designed to honor your wishes
• Education on the expected course of the illness or condition and options for your care
• 24/7 phone-in nursing advice and extra visits, as needed
• Practical assistance with your personal care and the activities of daily living
• Frequent assessment of  your needs
• Coordination of community resources to help you with financial and other concerns
• Help with reaching consensus on care options, planning for the future, mending relationships, and easing other emotional and practical difficulties experienced by you and your family 
• Help coping with spiritual questions and needs at the end of life, either directly or by coordinating services with any spiritual connections you may have
• Volunteer services and companionship

As a caregiver, you will receive the following services:

• Training on how to care for your loved one and to know when to call in your hospice team for extra visits
• Education on the expected course of the illness/condition and care options 
• 24/7 phone access to nursing advice and extra visits, as needed
• Emotional and spiritual support for you in your caregiver role
• Practical support from trained volunteers with driving to appointments, and with light housekeeping, shopping, and cooking
• Volunteer support to permit rest time for you
  Help with reaching consensus on care options, planning for the future, mending relationships, and easing other emotional and practical difficulties
• Grief support. Bereavement support for family members is available for 13 months following the death of your loved one.