The focus of supportive care is patient and family-centered care that optimizes comfort and quality of life by anticipating, preventing and treating the symptoms from disease and side effects of treatment. This is done by coordinating care with the patient's primary care or specialty care provider. Levos Supportive Care serves as an adjunct homebased service for those who are chronically or terminally ill. Examples of these types of illnesses are: advanced cancers, congestive heart failure (CHF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The name Levos comes from the Latin word "levo" which means to lift up or to relieve. Please call (717) 562-7000 to reach our Levos team.
The Levos Supportive Care team includes palliative care providers (doctors and nurse practitioners), patient care guides (nursing), social workers and chaplains. This allows for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and family to be addressed.
Levos Supportive Care strives for and promotes shared decision making among the patient, family, and the treating providers. These discussions present both the benefits and burdens of the treatment choices available to the patient. The role of Levos staff and clinicians in this process is to listen and clarify the wishes of the patient regarding future tests, treatments and care plans.
Changes in health care settings, such as going from the hospital to home, can be a confusing time for the patient and family. Discharge instructions may be confusing or may conflict with the information you received from other providers. The Levos patient care guide can assist with resolving confusion over which medications to take and can communicate with and update your primary care and specialist providers who may be unaware of a hospitalization. These steps can help to make your transition home more successful and reduce the chances of additional hospitalizations.
The patient care guide will help patients navigate the healthcare system. This means that the patient care guide will help you access appropriate and timely care, find doctors and review treatment options. In short, the patient care guide serves as the coach of the health care team.
The main difference between supportive care and hospice care is that supportive care can be offered while the patient is receiving curative treatment for their illness. Both hospice and supportive care offer compassionate care to patients with serious and life-limiting illnesses. In short, all hospice care is supportive, but not all supportive care is hospice.
In most instances, Levos Supportive Care physician/practitioner visits are paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, or the patient’s private insurance. In some cases, a co-payment may apply. A Levos representative will help you determine what fees, if any, may apply with your particular health care coverage.
If you are interested in talking with our staff regarding Levos Supportive Care, please call 717-562-7000 to reach a member of our Levos team.