Terminal illness is something that no one wants to think about. Facing the end of life can be physically and emotionally devastating -- for patients, as well as their loved ones and caregivers.

Many of Duke’s skilled and caring geriatricians provide end-of-life care services that can make the road a little easier.

End-of-life care primarily involves palliative care, which focuses on managing patients’ symptoms, easing their discomfort -- both physical and emotional -- and providing support for their family members. When the time comes for terminal care (usually thought of as the last six months of life), hospice is recommended and coordinated with the geriatrician.

The overarching goal of palliative care is to promote an environment of comfort, dignity, and kindness for dying patients and their families.

Duke Geriatrics provides physician medical directorship to Duke HomeCare & Hospice (DHCH). Accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, DHCH has been sensitively delivering expert care and support services to the local community for more than 25 years. Staff members are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For more information about Duke HomeCare & Hospice, call 919-620-3853 locally or 800-599-9339 toll-free, or e-mail dhchinfo@notes.duke.edu.

Physicians

Physicians offering this service include:

• Cutson, Toni M.
  • Medicine / Geriatrics
• Elbert-Avila, Katja I.
  • Medicine / Geriatrics
• Galanos, Anthony N.
  • Medicine / Geriatrics
• Heflin, Mitchell T.
  • Medicine / Geriatrics
• Johnson, Kimberly
  • Medicine / Geriatrics

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke University Hospital
  2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710
• Hospice at The Meadowlands
  1001 Corporate Drive, Hillsborough, NC 27278