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 that is affecting their quality of life. Our team of professionals at the Center for Comprehensive Palliative Care works with a patient’s physician. We encourage discussion among patients, families and health care professionals in determining the patient’s goals and optimal medical plan of care. We currently serve patients in Marion County, Florida, at the four local hospitals, nursing homes, and even in some patients’ homes who have assistance from a home health agency.

What is the focus of palliative care?
Because of its holistic focus, palliative care addresses an individual’s medical, emotional and spiritual needs, and offers support to both patients and their caregivers. As a patient’s disease progresses, the palliative care team adjusts its support services as the needs of the patient and family change. Our goal is to provide for an enhanced quality of life 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. We can help individuals with symptom 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 that provides physical, emotional and spiritual care to patients as needed to assist the patient’s physician. The Care team includes our medical director, Segismundo Picky Pares, MD, and palliative care manager Bonnie Parsons, RN, MSN, GNP, pictured below, plus the support of social workers and chaplains.

Lynn Bonner, team facilitator, is in the office weekdays to receive referrals and handle documentation before the appropriate team member goes for consultation. She maintains patient charts, tracks referrals, consultations and final discharges.

Who can refer a patient to the palliative care team?
Anyone can call the Palliative Care team office at 352.291.5881, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

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 symptom management, including pain, shortness of breath, frailty, confusion and sleep difficulties.
• Assist with relief of suffering caused by illness.
• Discuss the course of disease and goals of care and explain the “big picture.”
• 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 or 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
West Marion Community Hospital www.westmarion.com