Individualized hospice care.

Your comfort and quality of life are our priority. Hospice care focuses on your physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs with compassion and respect.

We will work with you and your caregivers to ensure your end-of-life wishes are carried out. Our compassionate team will also support your loved ones as they experience this journey along with you.

Hospice care comes to you.

Hospice of Health First will provide care wherever you are — your own home, a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or if you are hospitalized. 

The William Childs Hospice House

Our in-patient hospice facility is located on five secluded and serene acres near Health First Palm Bay Hospital. 

This 16-bed hospice house was created for patients who require more intensive skilled nursing and medical monitoring. We also open our doors to patients who don’t have a caregiver or stable home situation, or patients who need a respite stay of up to five days. You will need a referral from your physician to be considered for hospice care at this facility.

We welcome visitors 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including children and your beloved pets. 

Call 321.434.8400 if you are interested in learning more about the William Childs Hospice House.

 

Hospice Care in the hospital

We know the hospital isn’t anyone’s first choice, but sometimes it’s the safest option. Hospice patients are typically hospitalized only for a short time to stabilize their symptoms until they can return home again. Hospice of Health First will provide full hospice care during your time in the hospital, keeping you as comfortable and comforted as possible.

 

Managing your pain for a better quality of life.

One of the tenets of hospice care is diminishing pain and suffering. Your hospice team will work with your physician to give you the medication and medical equipment you need to be comfortable.

This includes treatment of common symptoms, such as:

• Chronic or acute pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Shortness of breath

We will also work with you and your loved ones to anticipate changes during your illness so that everyone is prepared for the next steps. 

 

Palliative care.

Palliative care is specialized medical care designed to support those living with a serious illness. By providing relief from the pain and stress that often accompany both diseases and treatments, palliative care aims to improve quality of life.

Learn more about our Palliative Care program.

 

Support for families and loved ones.

Healing and wellness means something different for everyone. That’s why Hospice of Health First offers several support programs that bring comfort, joy, and happiness to our patients and their families. 

Pet therapy

The sight of a dog trotting your way and the touch of their fur often bring peace and joy to those whose life once included animals. Spending time with therapy dogs has been shown to increase pain tolerance, reduce stress, lower blood pressure and increase smiles. Our trained and experienced therapy dogs are part of our hospice team. The dogs and their handlers know just how to bring comfort to you and your loved ones, including children. 

Arts & Medicine

There are many healing qualities of art, music, and aromatherapy. Find joy in your favorites with our Arts & Medicine program that brings back the old sounds, sights, and smells of the best parts of your life. 

Companionship through Teen Leaders 2 (TL2)

Hospice care means living your best life as comfortably as possible. For some patients that means playing a game of cards or chess, or simply sitting and reminiscing. Our dedicated teen volunteers are matched with hospice patients for special game nights and companionship visits.

 

Respite care.

We are there for you if there comes a time during the course of your loved one’s terminal illness when you need some time away from daily caregiving tasks. The stress placed on you, as a caregiver, can lead to physical symptoms and emotional distress that lessen your ability to provide care to someone else.

Hospice of Health First offers temporary, short-term assistance by professional staff or specially trained volunteers so you can rest and recharge and come back feeling better prepared to handle the day-to-day challenges of caring for a hospice patient. Call us at 321.434.1744 to discuss your options.