The Hospice Inpatient Care Center The Hospice Care Centerd in 1995. It provides a warm, comfortable environment for terminally ill patients who
do not have a caregiver, who are no longer able to remain at home, or who are not able to live in another health care facility.
The 16 private patient rooms are decorated like bedrooms and have private bathrooms and screened porches. Patients are encouraged to personalize their rooms with photos of loved ones, favorite pictures
and other mementos that make it feel like home. The Care Center's other rooms, including the great room, dining room, kitchen and chapel, feature many personal touches that have been lovingly created by artists,
staff, volunteers and even patients and family members. Hospice understands that patients with life-limiting illnesses are often frustrated by their lack of control over their circumstances.
For this reason, we try to give patients as many choices as possible. This includes their meal choices. Within limits, patients can request and receive almost any type of food at times that suit them, rather than
being fed on a common schedule. In 1999, our all-volunteer kitchen staff was honored with the Florida Hospices and Palliative Care Association Award of Excellence. We also understand that
time spent with loved ones during these last days is precious, so family members are given unrestricted visiting privileges and may even spend the night in the patient's room if desired.
Our Supportive/Palliative Care Program The Supportive/Palliative Care staff provides expertise on end-of-life issues including: advance
directives, symptom management, disease progression, treatment options, discontinuing treatment, discontinuing life support, terminal illness, Hospice admission criteria, stress and coping skills, caregiver options,
and inpatient facilities and programs. Palliative Care is oriented toward the terminally ill. It is holistic, and attempts to eliminate emotional and spiritual pain while emphasizing the quality of life and dignity.
Our Volunteer Palliative Massage Program benefits patients, their immediate families, and caregivers. It reduces anxiety, pain, and muscle stiffness, improves circulation, and elicits the
relaxation response. Hospice also provides several other complementary therapies for patients: Aroma Therapy heals the body through massage, inhalation and bathing with blended oils. Music Therapy allows patients to find serenity by listening to our collection of peaceful musical selections. Healing touch Therapy promotes a sense of well-being, that helps accelerate wound healing, and reduces stress. Pet Therapy allows
patients at the Care Center to be comforted with visits from their own pets or visits by our canine resident.
