Unique Music Therapy Program Now Available to South Bay Hospice Patients

CAMPBELL, Calif., June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The newly opened Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care of Northern California provides a unique combination of services to hospice patients in the Bay Area. The Seasons team, located at 910 Campisi Way, Suite, 1D, Campbell, serves residents of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. 

Hospice is a philosophy of caring that assists those nearing the end of life. It combines medical, social, spiritual and other types of care that restore dignity and provide a sense of personal fulfillment to the dying.

Seasons is the only hospice in the Bay Area to have a full-time Board Certified Music Therapist on staff. Studies show music therapy can reduce anxiety and pain, connect people to happy memories and positively impact emotional well-being. 

"Music therapy is one of the ways Seasons expands hospice care beyond traditional medical services," said William Warshal, MD, Medical Director of Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care of Northern California. Dr. Warshal is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Geriatrics.  

In addition, Open Access allows patients currently receiving medical treatments or experiencing intense psychosocial issues access to hospice services earlier. This is a combined model of curative and palliative care not offered by all hospices.

"We have a very experienced team in place," said Dr. Warshal. "I have been caring for this type of patient since 1992. I really enjoy working with patients and family to create a care plan and goals that lead to successful outcomes."

Other programs include A Touch for All Seasons, a highly specialized program for those in an advanced stage of dementia or other neurological illnesses. It provides a variety of meaningful sensory activities that stimulate the senses, promote relaxation and offer comfort.  

"The focus is on the patient and the family rather than the disease," said Elaine Fritz, RN, BSN, Executive Director, Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care of Northern California.  "Our goal is to improve the quality of life for our patients."

For more information, call Elaine Fritz at (408) 377-3018.

About Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care     

Founded in 1997, Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care is the fifth largest Hospice provider in the nation. Seasons provides high quality clinical and compassionate care to patients and families in 15 states through our 20 Medicare-certified home care clinical operations and 10 Hospice Inpatient Centers.  In 2012, Seasons cared for more than 16,000 patients. Our website is www.seasons.org.

SOURCE Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care