The Danny Sklar Palliative Care Program

What is the Danny Sklar Palliative Care Program?


The Danny Sklar Palliative Care Program offers quality care and nurturing support to relieve the distress that often accompanies advanced illness. Our interdisciplinary team will make an assessment and coordinate services based on the individual and family's needs.

Who is Appropriate for Palliative Care?

• Patients with a life limiting illness who are pursuing curative treatment
• Patients with a life threatening illness who are experiencing difficult symptom management, such as pain
• Patients experiencing healthcare crises that require frequent visits to physicians and hospital emergency rooms

Referral Process


Anyone may recommend a patient/family for Palliative Care by calling The Danny Sklar Palliative Care Program office at 404.352.4308.

An admission coordinator is available to speak with you Monday through Friday between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM. If Palliative Care is not the right answer to meet your needs, this coordinator will direct you to an agency appropriate for additional assistance.

How it Works

• A patient or his/her family can call the The Danny Sklar Palliative Care Program for an information visit
• A nurse will conduct an assessment in the comfort of the patient’s home to determine eligibility
• When it is determined that the patient meets our program guidelines, contact will be established between the patient’s attending physician and palliative care staff
• Visits with our nurse, social worker, volunteers and/or chaplain will be arranged according to a mutually agreed upon care plan
• The patient's attending physician remains responsible for all medical decisions

The frequency of these support services will vary according to the patient and family’s individual needs.
 
What is the Philosophy of The Danny Sklar Palliative Care Program?


The Danny Sklar Palliative Care Program:

• Approaches care that is foremost patient-centered and addresses patient needs within the context of family and community.
• Identifies and honors the preferences of the patient and family through careful attention to their values, goals, and priorities, as well as their cultural and spiritual perspectives.
• Encourages advanced care planning, including advance directives, through ongoing dialogue among providers, patient and family.
• Incorporates interagency collaboration and access to community resources.
• Aims to decrease the length of hospital stays and eliminate unnecessary emergency room visits.

Coordinated Care and In-Home Support


The Danny Sklar Palliative Care Program addresses the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of patient and family.

Our team of healthcare professionals and trained volunteers offers a comprehensive array of services:

• Consultation on symptom management in collaboration with the patient's primary care physician.
• Emotional and spiritual support for the patient and family throughout the course of the illness.
• Referral and coordination of community services.

Services are provided where you live... in your home, apartment, assisted living facility or skilled nursing facility.

The Danny Sklar Palliative Program does not provide 24 hour care, and our services are not reimbursed by Medicare/Medicaid or private health insurance. Palliative Care does not pay for medications or medical equipment.

The Danny Sklar Palliative Program was established with an endowment from The Danny  Sklar Foundation and with gifts and endowments from individuals and organizations: We rely on funding from the community to help support this program.

Each tax-deductible gift is gratefully acknowledged and deeply appreciated.

Differences Between the Danny Sklar Palliative Program and Weinstein Hospice

The Danny Sklar Palliative Care Program  Attending physician must be aware of and approve of our supplemental support for the patient and family Physical care is managed by the patient’s attending physician Patients are accepted on a case by case basis, and generally have a 12-18 month prognosis Unlike the hospice benefit, palliative care services are not reimbursable from third party payer sources The Danny Sklar Palliative Care Program does not pay for medications or medical equipment Support services tend to be more psychosocial and consultative on a case by case basis. Generally visits are made twice monthly with intermittent phone calls Hours of service are Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Weinstein Hospice Attending physician is an integral part of the interdisciplinary team and must sign Standing Orders to admit the patient to Hospice Physical care is managed by Weinstein Hospice nurses and medical director in collaboration with the patient’s attending physician Federal guidelines dictate a 6 month prognosis or less Hospice services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans Hospice receives a per diem rate that includes medications and medical equipment Hospice nurses visit twice weekly, social workers visit twice monthly and CNA support is available 2-3 times weekly – AND as needed Hospice support is available to families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week