Dr. Fred Kass, Ridley-Tree Cancer Center at Sansum Clinic medical oncologist, and Dr. Deborah Meyers, director of Sansum Clinic’s Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning Program, will discuss the community model of palliative care at a free lecture, 2-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, at University Club of Santa Barbara, 1332 Santa Barbara St.
The event is part of the Empowered Aging Monthly Lecture Series co-sponsored by Community Partners in Caring and the University Club of Santa Barbara.
Drs. Kass and Meyers will explain what palliative care is, how it differs from hospice care, and why patients and their families should consider this type of program before end-of-life care discussions become necessary.
The new, comprehensive Palliative Care Program at Sansum Clinic is focused on enhancing quality of life for patients who are being treated for a serious illness. About 60 percent of the program will serve patients with cancer and about 40 percent of the program will serve patients with other life-limiting diagnoses.
Dr. Meyers’ team will be working to address patients’ physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs by creating a care plan that alleviates suffering and provides an extra layer of support.
RSVP by Nov. 11, to Elizabeth Franco, Community Partners in Caring Elizabeth@partnersincaring.org, 805-729-5038.
The Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning Program is funded through philanthropic support from such donors as J.S. Bower Foundation, William Williams, Natalie Orfalea Foundation and Lou Buglioli, Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree, Benjamin Wayne and Valeria Mizuhara, Warren and Mary Lynn Staley, and Hollye and Jeff Jacobs.
Established in 1997, Community Partners in Caring is a nonprofit that coordinates volunteers for the purpose of providing free and direct volunteer services to seniors (ages 62-plus) in Santa Barbara County.
Community Partners provides a range of free support services to low-income seniors who lack the resources to hire assistance and don’t have family/friends who can help. For more, visit https://partnersincaring.org/.
— Elizabeth Franco for Community Partners in Caring.