Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital
Palliative Care
Easing Pain and Bringing Comfort to Patients and Families
Compassionate Care through Complex Illness
Palliative Care provides hope, compassion, and direction to patients and families as they navigate the unchartered territory of complex or serious illness. Community funded palliative care services at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital reduce physical and emotional suffering, and help patients and families articulate and achieve goals of care—no matter the diagnosis or state of the disease.
With healthcare medical billing only covering 20% of the palliative team’s services, community support provides $600,000 annually to continue with this program. Your generosity brings grace and peace to patients and families during the hardest moments.
Recognizing the dynamic and complex nature of serious illness, the hospital's Palliative Care teams assist patients and families by:
- Providing a continuum of coordinated, person-centered care in partnership with doctors, nurses, counselors, pharmacists, and therapists
- Reducing pain and anxiety through approximately 900 massage therapy treatments with measured effectiveness showing 40% reduction in pain; 50% reduction in anxiety; and 40% improvement in well-being
- Facilitating individual conversations and small group classes to encourage Advance Care Planning/Medical Directives
- Building nursing expertise around pain management, end of life care, and long-term illness holistic treatment goals
For More Information
If palliative care would be helpful to you or a loved one, consult with your primary care physician for a referral.