Community Hospice & Palliative Care, in collaboration with the American Heart Association and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), recently announced the Advanced Cardiac Care Program to address one of the nation’s largest killers — heart disease.
“Bringing expert cardiac symptom management and compassionate hospice care together, because your heart deserves comfort, dignity and the best care possible,” said Dr. Ana Sanchez, chief medical director. “The Advanced Cardiac Care Program helps people with advanced heart disease receive support that honors their goals, at home, with peace of mind.”
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more lives each year than cancer and accounting for more than a million hospital admissions annually due to congestive heart failure alone.
Despite this, many patients with advanced cardiac conditions face repeated hospitalizations and limited support at home. The new Advanced Cardiac Care Program aims to change that by offering individualized, in-home care that focuses on symptom management, emotional support and quality of life.
By addressing these critical gaps, particularly among underserved populations, Community Hospice & Palliative Care is working to ensure heart patients receive the compassionate care they deserve and can spend their final days in comfort, surrounded by loved ones rather than alone in a hospital.
“It is a complete and unnecessary tragedy that only 5% of heart failure patients who are discharged from the hospital ever utilize in-home hospice services,” said Carole Fisher, president of NPHI. “Far too many die alone in a hospital or nursing facility, when instead our hospice teams could care for them wherever they reside, and they could enjoy a far higher quality of life surrounded by loved ones.”
Heart disease will continue to have a disproportionate toll on many traditionally underserved groups who have higher rates of heart disease and associated risk factors.
Commenting on this recognized gap, Dr. Cameron Muir, chief innovation officer of NPHI, mentioned, “Far too many people of color and LBGTQ+ advanced heart disease patients are not made aware of how NPHI member organizations can provide comprehensive quality at-home care, which is covered by Medicare or private insurance or by our NPHI members; no one is turned away because they cannot pay.”
Muir continued, “Through the collaboration, the clinical protocols and patient/family resources will advance care and improve quality of life for those facing advanced heart disease.”
For more information about Community Hospice & Palliative Care and the Advanced Cardiac Care Program, go to www.communityhospice.com.
Established in 1979, Community Hospice & Palliative Care is an innovative national leader in palliative and hospice care, as well as providing programs and services to meet the diverse needs of the communities it serves. During its 46-year history, through the support of more than 1,000 employees and 1,000 volunteers, the organization helps approximately 1,500 patients per day to live better with advanced illness — at home, in long-term care and assisted living facilities, in hospitals and at its 10 inpatient care centers. No one is ever denied care due to an inability to pay.
