Chaplaincy Health Care, a local non-profit providing end-of-life care, grief care, spiritual care and behavioral health services has decided, for business reasons, to discontinue its community-based Palliative Care program, effective December 31, 2020.
Palliative Care has been a service of Chaplaincy Health Care since 2013 and has evolved over the years to serve an important need in the community. However, the financial needs of the program became too much to bear. Gary Castillo, executive director said, “We came to the realization, like many palliative care programs, that it would require enhanced reimbursement and expanded partnerships to be self-sustaining. After much discernment, we made the difficult decision to discontinue the program. The impact of this decision on staff, patients and providers is very real to us and we will do everything we can to make the transition as supportive as possible.”
Palliative care is a type of supportive care that focuses on treating symptoms caused by serious illness, enhancing comfort and quality of life, and educating family members about various care options. Unlike hospice, palliative care patients can continue curative treatments, such as chemotherapy, while care is being provided by their primary care provider.
Chaplaincy Health Care offers several other services including hospice, grief care for adults and children, behavioral health and contract chaplains. These services will not be affected by the change.
Patients in the Palliative Care program and their primary care physicians have been notified by mail about the closure of the program and the steps that need to be taken. Current patients are encouraged to call our office with any questions or concerns. We can be reached at (509) 783-7416, Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm.