Presbyterian Hospice Services

The Presbyterian Hospice Program provides physical, emotional, and spiritual support to terminally ill patients and their families. The hospice team of professionals and volunteers helps patients maintain their dignity, comfort, and quality of life. The frequency of visits and the level of care are based on mutual agreement between the patient, the primary physician, and the primary nurse, and can be increased or decreased as needed.

Admission Requirements

In order to be eligible for hospice services, a patient must:

• Have a life expectancy of six months or less, as determined by a physician
• No longer be receiving curative care (radiation or chemotherapy)
• Have a caregiver who can provide care between hospice team visits
• Be referred to the program by the Primary Care Physician
• Reside within the Presbyterian Home Healthcare Service Area

Hospice patients do not have to be homebound.

The Hospice Team

Hospice uses a team of registered nurses, counselors, social workers, home health aides, and volunteers to provide needed care.

• A medical director and hospice nurse are on call 24 hours a day for emergencies.
• Hospice nurses focus on symptom management, patient comfort, and pain control.
• Hospice counselors and social workers provide emotional support, teach coping skills, and can help families who may need additional community resources.
• Home health aides provide personal care for the patient, and volunteers help out as necesssary with additional services.
• Bereavement counselors maintain contact with the family throughout the bereavement period. Up to thirteen months bereavement counseling for the family following the death of their loved one is an integral part of the program.

Outpatient Services

• Intermittent Home Visits
• Pain and Symptom Management
• Medication Adjustments
• Individualized Treatment tailored to meet the patient's needs
• Skilled Nursing
• Medical Social Work
• Home Health Aide
• Chaplain
• Bereavement Counseling
• Visits may be conducted twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week

Inpatient Unit

The Hospice Inpatient Unit accomodates patients whose pain or symptom control cannot be adequately managed at home. Admission to the Inpatient Unit must be prearranged by a Hospice team member.

• Twenty-four hour nursing care
• A Hospice Medical Director is available to oversee patient care
• Twelve-bed unit
• Families are welcome to stay with the family member twenty-four hours a day.

Respite Care

Patients may also be admitted for up to five days of respite care to provide a short break for the family in caring for their loved one.

Contact us

• Address: Kaseman Hospital, 8300 Constitution NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110-7639
• Hours: Care available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Phone:
  • Hospice: (505) 559-1122
  • Hospice IPU: (505) 559-1133
  • Referrals: (505) 559-1000