If you have ever or still are a care giver for an infirm or terminally ill loved one, then you know the stress, tension and demands associated with this position. However, there are those out there who know the problems, are depressed, weary and exhausted by being a care giver 24/7, but not knowing how or where to get help.

Even if you are alone, and need the help and find hope hard to find, it is available from and provided by Nathan Adelson Hospice (NAH).

In Pahrump for 10 years and the foundation serving the state of Nevada for 30 years, NAH has met and still meets the needs of many patients through staff members and volunteers. The business office is located at 1480 E. Calvada Blvd., Suite 900, in Pahrump and can be contacted by calling 775-751-6700. They can be contacted about any type of situation in which you find yourself concerning the care of a loved one.

To give you an idea of how the process works, the following information will provide insight and perhaps make it less intimidating.

Locally, Dr. Michael Reiner and Dr. Frank Toppo are the medical directors of the hospice and also provide medical care to hospice patients. If you have a physician, you will still have that physician if you like. If you're not sure you or the loved one needs hospice care, ask your physician or call the hospice and they will help you.

There are some requisites to entering hospice care. The patient must be diagnosed to receive care by a physician before hospice care can be obtained. Once the patient has been diagnosed with an terminal illness or disease requiring long term care, a nurse is sent to the home to start the service within 24 hours. This includes all the paperwork that needs to be done.

There are five types of services available to the patient:

The case manager both supervises and works with the nurse to develop and update the plan of care for the patient.

The medical staff provides the care (nurses and physicians) on a 24/7 or as needed basis.

A certified nurse assistant helps with daily needs such as hygiene.

A social worker helps to obtain available funds such as Medicare, to pay for services and any other needs within their scope of assistance. However, service is not based on the ability to pay.

There is also a spiritual care giver who provides spiritual guidance if desired, who will work with the family to help them go through the steps associated with their loved one's condition.

In addition to these wonderful people, there is another group who volunteer their time to sit with the patient and read them a book, help them do a crossword puzzle, watch television with them, get drinks and maybe prepare a small snack and so much more. They give of themselves to help others in need. Many know the pain associated with the loss of a loved one or caring for someone permanently over a long illness.

Within 24 hours, a nurse comes to the home to do an assessment of the individual's needs and helps the case manager determine the best way to meet those needs.

Although the social worker helps with obtaining financial resources, they also provide emotional support and act as a sounding board for the patient in times of frustration and feelings of defeat.

Spiritual guides provide anyone with support pertaining to religious needs (or not), or act as the ears of the patient and family and help with the upheaval caused by the condition as well as help through the journey to come.

Hospice personnel are there to help the care giver as well by providing needed breaks and allowing them to find other forms of interest and not feel confined every hour of every day.

The toughest situations can be those associated with children. Families who will either lose a child through injury, illness or disease, can struggle desperately with acceptance. They become distraught and feel total despair and helplessness. The hospice is there for them.

In addition to all this wonderful care that's available, NAH also provides training for care givers and those who wish to volunteer.

Training is available on a regular schedule, so contact Tonya Brum at 775-209-3896 if you are interested.

In summary, NAH is there to help you with all the muddled thoughts and feelings and to help with providing care for your loved one, perhaps giving you a break to be your own person.

Don't suffer in silence and don't let the person who needs the care suffer in silence as well. Make sure everyone gets the respect and dignity they deserve in their life.

Contact the hospice--they will help and give you hope when you need it. Again, that number is 775-751-6700.