Destin Welcomes Its First Inpatient Hospice Care Center: VITAS Suites at Destination Health and Rehabilitation
VITAS celebrated the grand opening of its new inpatient facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by chamber members, community leaders and healthcare professionals.
September 11, 2024
DESTIN, FL – Patients nearing the end of life who reside in Okaloosa and Walton counties now have access to inpatient hospice care at the VITAS Suites at Destination Health and Rehabilitation in Destin, Florida. This is the first and only inpatient unit for hospice patients in the two-county region. The nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care celebrated the grand opening of the new suites and is now accepting hospice-eligible patient referrals.
Healthcare professionals can submit seamless and secure referrals anytime through the VITAS Healthcare mobile app. Referrals are also accepted 24/7/365 by calling 800.93.VITAS.
The VITAS Suites at Destination Health and Rehabilitation, located at 195 Mattie M Kelly Boulevard, offers care for hospice patients whose symptoms have become unmanageable in their home setting. Patients receive short-term 24/7 hands-on care from a team of VITAS clinical experts to bring symptoms under control.
“The new suites help VITAS further serve the greater community of Pensacola, filling a vital need for acute symptom management for end-of-life patients in the area,” said VITAS General Manager Chasity Tedford. “The inpatient unit provides a comfortable, soothing space for hospice patients to stabilize and families to stay and support their loved ones.”
A serene coastal decor greets patients and guests with amenities including granite countertops, marble floors and local artwork. The VITAS Suites features eight private patient rooms with private bathrooms, pediatric patient rooms and a bariatric room. Loved ones can remain close by in a family suite with shower facilities and a shared kitchen. They can also relax in the shared outdoor area enhanced with a memorial garden. Parking is free and access is 24/7.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 20 celebrated the opening of the new facility with guests from the Destin Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Wagner’s Office, along with other local community leaders, healthcare providers and VITAS team members.
As a community partner, VITAS began serving the Pensacola region of Florida’s Panhandle in 2017. Located on the beautiful Emerald Coast, the new suites will care for patients from Destination Health and Rehabilitation, as well as surrounding hospitals in Okaloosa and Walton counties, nearby senior living centers and private homes.
Interested in joining the VITAS team? Learn more about end-of-life care, discover a meaningful career, and find fulfilling volunteer opportunities at VITAS.com.