Pathways Home Health and Hospice

Target demographics: With kindness and dignity we comfort the dying, heal the sick, and assist the elderly.

Geographic areas served: We serve San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda and western Contra Costa counties.

Programs: 1. Home Health: Skilled medical services provided in the home by an interdisciplinary team headed by the patient's primary care physician. Nursing, rehabilitation, and social services assist those recovering from an illness or injury or managing a chronic disease. Services include nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aide service, and medical social work. 2. Hospice: Comprehensive care and support that helps people facing life-limiting illnesses stay in their homes, whether that is a house, a nursing facility, or a board-and-care home. Hospice provides physical, emotional, social, and spiritual support and services during the last stages of illness, through the dying process, and throughout the family's bereavement. Under the direction of the patient's physician, care is delivered by an interdisciplinary team including a Pathways physician, nurse, social worker, spiritual care counselor, personal care aide, volunteer, pharmacist, and others as appropriate. 3. Palliative Care for Children and Adults: Recognizing the difficult transition patients and families make as a cure becomes less likely and the focus of care begins shifting to comfort measures and pain management, Pathways Palliative Care Services provides care at home to children and adults with life-limiting illnesses who may or may not still be receiving curative treatments. These services are provided through the Palliative Care Team for Adults and the Pathways KIDS Team. 4. Bereavement Support: Pathways' Bereavement Program supports people facing grief over the loss of a loved one. The program includes both individual and small group support for loved ones during the patient's illness and for 13 months after the death. 4. Educational Programs: Pathways' Educational programs increase awareness of hospice, home health, palliative care, and end-of-life issues for both healthcare professionals and the general community. 6. Volunteer Program: Pathways' Volunteer Program provides a meaningful, fulfilling opportunity for service. Volunteers are an integral part of our organization and serve in a variety of capacities, both to support patients and families directly as key members of the hospice team and to support the organization with administrative and leadership skills.