New Caregiver Center Advances Patient-Centered Care

Westchester Medical Center (WMC), the flagship of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), recently opened a brand-new Caregiver Center in its newly unveiled main concourse, designed to support patients’ families and friends by offering access to resources and support while their loved ones are receiving care.

The new 1,800-square-foot enclave provides a retreat for family members to receive advocacy services, social work and spiritual support through the Caregiver Program. The Center also offers access to the most up-to date information resources, including computer access, wireless and mobile-device charging stations, and information on area resources. Refreshments and other amenities, like yoga and Reiki therapies, aromatherapy, showers and private rest stations, are available. Research demonstrates that caregivers are often not adequately prepared to handle the physical and emotional burdens placed on them while a loved one is hospitalized due to illness or traumatic injury. In 2015, Caregiver Partners made 2,235 initial visits and 2,712 followup visits to family members while their loved ones were in the hospital, in addition to providing many other support services, through WMC’s “virtual” Caregiver Program.

Photo: Family and friends of patients at Westchester Medical Center now have a Caregiver Center in which to rest and receive resources and services.