Palliative Care is an approach of care that provides comprehensive patient and family centered care for individuals suffering from all types of chronic, debilitating or serious, conditions regardless of the prognosis.  Such conditions might include COPD, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s or other related dementias.  Palliative Care is appropriate early in the course of a life-threatening or chronic condition and can be provided in combination with therapies that are intended to prolong life.

Palliative Care at Bon Secours Community Hospital is focused on enhancing quality of life through the relief of suffering by identifying and addressing the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the patient and family, as well as guiding you through the disease process and providing information on what to expect, treatment options, and resources available.

Palliative Care is an inpatient consultative service. Provided by an interdisciplinary team (including a physician, nurse practitioner, social worker, chaplain and other healthcare professionals), the services are available for patients of any age and at any stage of a serious illness.

The Palliative Care Team emphasizes the patient's and family's rights to participate in informed discussion and to make choices related to their wishes, needs, and plan of care.

Advance Directives

In New York, patients legally can let their families and health care professionals know their intentions if they are unable to speak for themselves by using advance directives called living wills and health care proxys.

All patients are encouraged to complete advance directives prior to entering the hospital, and bring a copy of this document with them to be placed on the medical record. However, the Palliative Care Team is available to discuss and complete health care proxy paperwork with you when you enter the hospital. 

Contacting us

Palliative Care is individualized care for you and your family in your time of need. For more information about Palliative Care ask your doctor or leave a message at 845 858 7028.