Community Hospice & Palliative Care continues to expand its service to include a 10th inpatient unit at Baptist Medical Center South. The new Center for Caring is an 8,600 square foot, 10-bedroom facility. Located on the 7th floor of Tower C on the hospital campus, this state-of-the-art care center has private rooms with bathrooms, comfortable and spacious gathering areas, family laundry and kitchenette areas, and a quiet room for when patients or family members simply need a break.
“We are honored to be a part of the expansion of the services provided at Baptist Medical Center South and to continue to introduce innovative solutions to the patients and families in this thriving community” said Phillip Ward, President and CEO of Community Hospice & Palliative Care.
The Community Hospice & Palliative Care Center for Caring opened earlier this month to serve patients living with advanced illness and in need of end-of-life care. The goal of each Center for Caring is to provide a calming, residential-style environment in which to stabilize the hospice patient’s acute symptoms, providing relief so they can return to wherever they call home (private residence or a long-term care facility). To add to the home-like environment, the works of local artists are featured throughout the center, contributing to an atmosphere of peace, emotional healing, and comfort. Family and friends are welcome to visit at any time, including overnight stays but may experience some restrictions during the pandemic. The new facility will provide around-the-clock compassionate acute symptom care for hospice patients, respite for caregivers, and a place where loved ones can visit 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Having a hospice and palliative care center at Baptist South will be of great reassurance to families of patients who are in need of end-of-life care,” said Hospital President Nicole Thomas, FACHE. “The fact that the new center is right here on our hospital campus will provide an easy and seamless transition to hospice care and provide families with peace of mind that their loved ones are comfortable and being well cared for.”
This is the third center for caring at a Baptist Medical Center in Northeast Florida. The others include the Warner Center for Caring at Baptist Medical Center Nassau, and the Douglas Center for Caring at Baptist Medical Center Downtown Jacksonville.