Hospice Workers

Most hospice workers visit terminally ill patients in their homes or in the homes of their caregivers so the work environment can be as varied as their patients' lifestyles. Some workers are on call 24 hours a day and may be required to travel to homes in all areas of a city or rural area to provide medical and supportive care. Patients and family members can be very tense during this stressful period in their lives, and they may be unpleasant and uncooperative at times. As with any health care profession, hospice workers have the possibility of exposure to contagious diseases; however, proper precautions and training diminish this risk.