Pallative and Hospice Care

For patients living with serious, chronic illnesses, and for those approaching the end of life, the Palliative and Hospice Care Unit at Yadkin Valley Community Hospital offers capable, compassionate care in a pleasant, comfortable hospital setting.

In providing palliative and hospice care, our doctors, nurses, therapists and support staff are deeply and completely committed to improving each patient’s comfort and quality of life, with special emphasis on:

• Pain and symptom relief
• Emotional support for patients and families
• Help with identifying needs, clarifying choices and making decisions regarding care
• Absolute respect for the preferences expressed and the decisions made

Easy Access to Capable, Compassionate Palliative and Hospice Care

In our Palliative and Hospice Care Unit, we offer specialized, personalized inpatient care to prevent and relieve the physical and emotional suffering that come with severe illnesses.

A patient may be admitted to the hospital for palliative care at any time during a serious, chronic illness, from initial diagnosis through advanced stages.  While receiving palliative care, patients may also receive treatments meant to improve their conditions, prolong their lives and allow them to return home.

Hospice care is a more specialized form of palliative care for patients whose doctors believe their life expectancy to be six months or less if the disease runs its typical course.  Hospice patients are usually in the final stages of an illness for which they are no longer seeking a cure.

We also provide respite care in the unit for seriously ill patients whose family caregivers are temporarily unavailable or simply in need of a break.

Whether addressing symptoms of the disease itself, side-effects and complications of treatments or health problems unrelated to the primary condition, palliative care is intended to improve patients’ comfort and quality of life.

In addition to inpatient medical and nursing care, our services may include respiratory therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy, nutrition counseling, and other specialized services aimed at reducing common symptoms of severe illness, such as pain, nausea, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, fatigue and constipation.

We also help patients and families navigate the healthcare system, providing case management services to coordinate caregiving by the patient’s doctors, family members, nursing home staff, home care agencies, medical equipment providers and others who may be involved in caring for the patient outside the hospital setting.

The hospital’s inpatient palliative and hospice care services are covered by most health insurance policies, including Medicare and Medicaid, in much the same way as other hospital services. Our staff members are happy to answer your questions about charges   and insurance reimbursements for our services.

To Access Our Palliative and Hospice Care Services

For Yadkin County residents and their families, Yadkin Valley Community Hospital offers a comfortable, convenient place to receive highly professional, warmly personal inpatient palliative and hospice care.

Palliative care is available to any patient whose doctor prescribes it. Hospice care is available to patients whose life expectancy is six months or less. If you believe you or a family member can benefit from palliative care, discuss it with your doctor.

Since many Yadkin County residents prefer the comfort and convenience of being cared for close to home, our staff doctors accept referrals from area physicians who do not normally make rounds at our hospital, admitting their patients and caring for them while they’re here.

We also work closely with several area hospice agencies, providing inpatient care for patients they refer to us.