FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Mark Cohen, VP/Communications & Public Relations

Winter Park, February 3, 2005— Leaders from VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Central Florida and HCR Manor Care celebrated the opening of the only inpatient hospice unit in three counties with an open house January 19. The new unit, a 12-bed wing of Manor Care health care center, is located at 2075 Loch Lomand Drive, Winter Park.

“An inpatient hospice unit in the Winter Park area is long awaited,” says Cheryl Hamilton, director of admissions for VITAS’ Central Florida program. “Since the closing of our inpatient unit in Winter Park Hospital more than three years ago, this community has been without an alternative care setting for terminally ill patients.”

The six-bedroom hospice wing is designed to provide around-the-clock symptom management for terminally ill patients who cannot be comfortably cared for in their homes. The unit uses soothing colors, homey patterns, wood floors and accommodating furniture like rocker-recliners and sleeper sofas to ensure a non-institutional environment for patients and their families.

“Our goal is to stabilize the patient so he or she can return home as soon as possible,” Hamilton explains. “Home, rather than the hospital, is where most hospice patients want to die. But sometimes it’s not an option. This inpatient unit, solely staffed by hospice workers, is ideal. It even allows families to stay with their loved ones day and night if they wish.”

The unit has a separate entrance on Moray Lane in a wooded area of Winter Park. Along with six bedrooms, common rooms include a reception area, laundry, family room with kitchen facilities and quiet room with a computer offering Internet access.

“We’re excited about this new collaborative effort with Manor Care,” says Kurt Kazanowski, general manager of VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Central Florida. “There is a need for more inpatient units in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.”

VITAS provides hospice care to terminally ill patients with cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cerebrovascular disease (CVA), Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders, end-stage renal disease, failure of multiple organ systems, HIV-related conditions and more. Treatment focuses on palliative care, which is the aggressive treatment of physical and emotional pain and symptoms aimed at enhancing comfort and overall quality of life.

For information call VITAS at 1-866-41-VITAS.