Sinai Hospital Now Offering Inpatient Hospice Care

Baltimore, MD - Patients at Sinai Hospital can now receive end-of-life care in a newly opened 12-bed unit, built in partnership with Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care. Staffed by health care professionals with specific hospice training, the new center provides patients and their families with highest level of hospice services, including the medical and emotional support they need during end-of-life care.

"For nearly 150 years, Sinai Hospital has been dedicated to providing the best possible care to the people in the communities we serve," says Amy Perry, president of Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and executive vice president of LifeBridge Health. "The opening of the new hospice unit reflects our commitment to provide compassionate, high-quality care to patients and their loved ones throughout every stage of life, including the end of life."

Inpatient hospice can be an option when someone's pain or symptoms cannot be adequately managed at home. Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care directs the clinical operations and manages the new Sinai center, designed to be a warm and supportive environment for patients and families.

The care team includes physicians certified in hospice and palliative medicine, skilled nurses and certified nursing assistants, social workers, music therapists and hospice aides. These highly trained health care professionals help patients and their families with the challenges of pain and symptom management, as well as the often complex emotional decisions that may occur at the end of life. The program can also address a person's religious and spiritual needs.

Recognizing Sinai Hospital's foundation on the principles of the Jewish faith, Sinai and Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care collaborated on the Sinai Jewish Care Program.  Each member of the hospice care team receives extensive training in Judaism, including its practices, laws, traditions and values. This program ensures that end-of-life care respects and adheres to Jewish religious practices and legal requirements. For example, there is support with funeral planning and bereavement, and Chevrei Kadisha is available when requested.

Additionally, care givers are sensitive to the spiritual, cultural and psychosocial needs of Holocaust survivors. They understand that survivor traumas may resurface during the end-of-life transition. They also recognize the unique bonds between the generations in many Holocaust families.

This spiritual awareness extends to other religions and faiths. There are non-denominational chaplains and faith-based advisors available to meet with patients and families to find out what their unique spiritual needs are.

Additionally, Seasons also offers Namaste Care, a program for patients with dementia and neurological illnesses. Its Open Access program supports patients transitioning from curative therapies, and through Seasons Remembered: Leaving a Legacy Program, patients choose photos, notes, messages and other personal items as keepsakes for their families.