Partnership announced with The Palms of Sebring and Cornerstone Hospice

The managements of Cornerstone Hospice and Highlands' oldest retirement community, The Palms of Sebring, have jointly announced the establishment of a newly expanded relationship between both organizations.

Starting in early February, the patient care staff of Cornerstone Hospice began providing General Inpatient Care (acute hospice symptom management) at The Palms of Sebring in downtown Sebring.

Residents who need acute, short-term hospice care for a period of crisis following hospitalization or from a symptom issue that arises while living in their own home, assisted living facility or nursing home - including The Palms - will be eligible for this care by Cornerstone Hospice and the staff of The Palms.

Providing retirement living services to Highlands County residents for more than 50 years, The Palms of Sebring offers independent living in spacious, private apartments, assisted living apartments and 24-hour skilled nursing care, as well as, therapy facilities to complement rehabilitation services at their retirement community on South Pine Street and South Ridgewood Drive.

Cornerstone Hospice has been licensed in Central Florida since 1984, caring for patients and their families facing a life-threatening or life-limiting illness in seven central Florida counties including Highlands, Polk and Hardee.

"Since our expertise and training is in caring for patients facing an end-of-life condition, this partnership complements the full range-of-life services which would be required by residents at The Palms of Sebring," added Cindi Harris-Panning, regional CEO for Cornerstone Hospice.

"Our team nurse, social worker, certified nursing assistants and chaplain will be working with staff at The Palms to provide this higher level of hospice care. Team members will also be available to residents at The Palms who may develop a serious, condition requiring this higher level of hospice care," said Yvonne Cannon, RN and patient care supervisor for the Highlands region at Cornerstone Hospice.

The relationship was announced in a joint statement by Pat Lehotsky, president and CEO of Cornerstone Hospice and Steve Austin, CEO at The Palms of Sebring.