Center for Comprehensive Palliative Care
3231 SW 34th Avenue · Ocala, FL 34474
352.266.4674 · Palliative Care Manager
866.503.8881 · Toll-free Office

What is palliative care?
Palliative care is a holistic approach for individuals of any age who have a chronic, life-limiting illness. The Palliative Care team works with a patient’s physician to determine the best medical plan of care. At this time, the Center for Comprehensive Palliative Care serves patients in Marion County, Florida, at the three local hospitals, in contracted nursing homes, and even in some patients' homes.

What is the focus of palliative care?
Palliative care addresses the patient’s medical, emotional and spiritual needs. It offers support to patients and their caregivers. Palliative care encourages discussion between patients, families and health care professionals in determining the patient’s goals and medical plan of care. As a patient’s disease progresses, the palliative care team adjusts its support services to the patient and family as their needs change. Palliative care makes a better quality of life possible for patients and their loved ones by providing the best possible plan of care.

Who can receive palliative care?
Patients with chronic, long-term or life-limiting illnesses are appropriate for palliative care. Palliative care is available to individuals to help with pain management, relief of suffering and education on their disease progression and prognosis. Family members are included in the plan of care, and the palliative care team provides support and information to them as well as the patient.

Who are the Palliative Care team members?
The Palliative Care team is an interdisciplinary group of professionals who provide physical, emotional and spiritual care to patients as needed to assist the patient’s physician. The Palliative Care team includes our medical director, Segismundo Pares, MD, palliative care manager Bonnie Parsons, RN, MSN, GNP, social workers and chaplains.

Who can refer a patient to the palliative care team?
Anyone can call the Palliative Care team at the numbers above for information or to make a referral. The office is open from 8-5, Monday-Friday. The Palliative Care physician and advanced practice nurse will meet with the patient first to determine the goals of care with the patient and family and the patient’s physician and decide which other team members are needed.

How are palliative care services billed?
Medicare and most private insurance companies can be billed for palliative care consultations.

How can the Palliative Care team help?
The Palliative Care team can be called to:

• Assist with pain and symptom management
• Assist with relief of suffering
• Discuss the course of disease and goals of care
• Assist attending physician, patient or family with clarification of development of palliative plan of care
• Assist in establishing the best possible quality of care as determined by patient and family
• Offer emotional support to patient and family, including anticipatory grief and bereavement counseling
• Discuss and complete documentation of advance directives
• Discuss forgoing specific treatment and/or diagnostic treatments
• Facilitate transition to alternate care settings, such as home, nursing home, hospice when appropriate
  

Our Team Leaders

Related Resources:

Hospice of Marion County www.HospiceofMarion.com
Munroe Regional Medical Center www.MunroeRegional.com
Ocala Regional Medical Center www.OcalaRegional.com