Nothing is more important to the staff at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital than easing the physical and emotional pain of residents and patients. We strive to improve their quality of life and help them maintain their dignity. When they give consent, their family members are also included in the journey.
PALS Program
To help our residents, patients and their loved ones throughout the process, Levindale created a program called PALS*. It is designed to fulfill the wishes of people who are often in pain, who are chronically ill and/or are at the end of their lives.
Levindale's Pain and Palliative Care program helps our residents and patients manage pain through traditional and non-traditional methods.
Palliative care is also called "comfort care." It concentrates on lessening and managing pain, other symptoms of disease and side effects of treatment.
Comfort care focuses on taking care of, not curing, individuals who are facing a life limiting illness. The goal for the patient and family members is to make their time precious, not merely tolerable.
Hospice Services
Hospice care provides long-term care residents at the end of life and their families with cherished moments. Levindale's hospice care is on site with the staff members that residents already know.
Compassionate Care
Every resident and patient in Levindale's PALS program is evaluated and a care plan is developed for each individual. Among the needs taken into consideration are:
- Physical
- Psychological
- Social
- Cultural
- Spiritual
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PALS Team Members
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Hospice workers
- Social workers
- Dietitians
- Recreation therapists
- Compassionate staff from all departments
- Chaplains of different religions
- Complementary therapists
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Expectations
Patients and residents can expect the following from Levindale's PALS program:
- Information about pain and pain relief
- An individualized initial assessment, evaluation and care plan
- Ongoing reassessment and updated care plans
- Advance planning to ensure that decisions reflect the patient's preferences
Complementary Techniques
Along with conventional treatments, PALS experts use many complementary techniques. Among them are:
Cognitive techniques of:
- Relaxation
- Imagery
- Distraction
Physical therapies of:
- Massage
- Aroma
- Animal companionship
- Music
- Horticulture
Education
PALS team members are committed to empowering residents, patients and their families with knowledge about pain management and the management of disease progression.
Our education also includes a strong communication plan, support system, discharge strategy and bereavement support.
*PALS stands for:
Patient-centered ways of
Anticipating the needs of residents, patients and their families
Listening when patients and residents share their desires and
Serving them so their wishes are met