Residents of Lee County now have access to dedicated end-of-life care at the new VITAS Healthcare Inpatient Hospice Unit at Lee Memorial Hospital, offering expert, patient-centered hospice services in the comfort of a homelike setting. This inpatient unit (IPU) is the only hospital-based hospice facility in the county and is the first VITAS IPU in Lee County and second in Southwest Florida. It is expected to serve more than 400 patients annually.

The VITAS hospice unit at Lee Memorial features eight private patient rooms with internet access, flatscreen TVs, private bathrooms and overnight accommodations for loved ones. A shared family room provides space for visiting guests, and children’s activities keep little ones occupied. Parking at the facility is free, and access to the VITAS IPU is 24/7.

The hospital-based resources patients can access are designed to enhance their comfort and quality of life—including high-flow oxygen, antibiotics, X-rays, radiology services, blood transfusions and compassionate extubations. VITAS physicians provide daily rounds to ensure each patient’s needs are met promptly, and medical direction at the IPU is overseen by a hospice and palliative medicine board-certified medical director.

Additional specialized services include personalized care tailored for veterans, VITAS Paw Pals® pet visits, music therapy, respiratory therapy and bereavement support with handcrafted Memory Bears made from a loved one’s clothing to offer comfort and remembrance.