VITAS Opens Renovated Inpatient Hospice Care Unit at The Lutheran Home

11/25/2013

MILWAUKEE, WI – VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, recently unveiled its newly renovated VITAS Inpatient Hospice Unit at The Lutheran Home, a nursing home/assisted living facility located at 7500 West North Avenue, Fourth Floor, Wauwatosa, WI 53213.

“We are proud to announce the opening of our newly renovated Inpatient Hospice Unit at The Lutheran Home as part of our long-standing commitment to outstanding, innovative hospice care. We are dedicated to raising the bar and expanding our services in response to a growing demand,” said Phyllis LoCicero, Senior General Manager with VITAS.

At the IPU, VITAS interdisciplinary teams of physicians, nurses, hospice aides, social workers, chaplains, volunteers and bereavement support staff members will attend to the medical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of patients and their families. The IPU, previously located on the third floor of The Lutheran Home complex, has been moved up to the fourth floor and features a redesigned layout that will enable VITAS’ staff members to provide an even higher quality of care.

“When the needed hospice care surpasses what can be provided at home, our newly renovated IPU provides the high-quality, compassionate care and attention that patients and their families need during one of the most important moments of life: the end of life, said LoCicero”

In addition to featuring more home-like décor, the unit now includes a nurses’ station that is more centrally located to enable easier access to all 12 patient rooms. The patient rooms, which are now larger and offer private bathrooms to better accommodate loved ones and visitors, will remain private, individual rooms featuring TVs, recliners and sleeper sofas for overnight visitors, and many of the comforts of home. The facility also now features an expanded area for children and more amenities in the kitchen.

First established in 2008, the IPU will continue to offer 24-hour visitation and accommodations for loved ones who may want to spend the night, a dining area, family room, and a serenity room for quiet contemplation and meditation. The facility will continue to accept 24-hour direct admissions, including evenings, weekends and holidays. More information is available at www.vitas.com/ or 1.800.93.VITAS.