a guide to holy cross health's services for seniors and

Senior ServicesA Guide to Holy Cross Health's Services for Seniors and Caregivers

senior services

Table of Contents

Seniors Emergency Center 2

Surgical Care 3

Special Services for Hospitalized Seniors 4

Medical and Surgical Expertise 5

Geriatric Primary Care 6

Prevention and Wellness Programs 6

Care Available in Your Home 7

Support for Caregivers 8

Care at the End of Life 9

Holy Cross Health Locations

Important Phone Numbers

back cover

back cover

Holy Cross Health has a long-standing commitment

to specialized medicine that meets the specific

needs of patients 65 and older, their families and

caregivers. Across our comprehensive programs,

services and facilities, our forward-thinking health

system's approach to senior care focuses on helping

individuals achieve their best quality of life.

In 2008, we introduced the nation’s first Seniors

Emergency Center at Holy Cross Hospital, a

dedicated space created to reduce anxiety in

patients while offering the finest care.

Our diverse and far-reaching range of services

offers care at every level: healthy-aging programs,

at-home care, inpatient services, support services

for caregivers and care at the end of life. The

philosophy that guides us is simple: we offer

patients the quality care, dignity, safety and comfort

they deserve.

Holy Cross Health Senior Services • 1

If you or your loved one is 65 or older, you have Seniority.

The Seniors Emergency Center at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Md., is the nation's first and region's only center of its kind.

Specially trained clinicians in this dedicated area of the Emergency Center care for seniors with non-life threatening medical emergencies.

The Seniors Emergency Center focuses on reducing anxiety and confusion in patients age 65 and older and their loved ones — from the way our staff talks and listens, to the quiet and private atmosphere we provide, to how closely we involve family and caregivers.

Safety, Comfort and Dignity As our care team evaluates your condition and medical history, they respond with expertise, compassion and respect. The care team includes physicians, registered nurses trained in geriatrics and a geriatric social worker.

The center’s environment was scientifically designed by emergency medicine and geriatric experts to reduce anxiety, confusion and risk of falling. It features six curtained bays, two private patient rooms, a nursing station designed for increased visibility and a room for private family consultations. Family members and caregivers are critical to the process, and each bay and room provides comfortable seating so loved ones can stay by the patient’s side.

The center’s soft lighting, noise-absorbing wall and floor material, inviting paint colors and heated blankets ensure patient comfort. Non-glare, slip-proof floors and convenient grab bars prevent falls, and thicker mattresses promote comfort and reduce the likelihood of developing bed sores.

Personal Attention Before you leave the Seniors Emergency Center, the team assesses your physical function, cognitive status and level of risk,

and then refers you to the appropriate level of care. Discharge instructions are explained clearly, and we make sure patients, their families and caregivers have the resources they need to make a seamless transition back to the home or another care setting.

We also often contact subsequent health care providers to make sure your needs are being met, which decreases the probability that you will need to return to the Seniors Emergency Center for the same health issue.

Emergency Care Upcounty High-quality emergency care for seniors is available in upper Montgomery County at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital. Its Emergency Department is fully equipped to care for seniors, built with several of the same senior-friendly design elements and processes used in Holy Cross Hospital's Seniors Emergency Center.

To learn more, visit HolyCrossHealth.org.

The Nation’s First Seniors Emergency Center

senior servicesHoly Cross Health Senior Services2 •

Surgical care for seniors at Holy Cross Hospital and Holy Cross Germantown Hospital includes an expert team of trained doctors, physician assistants, nurses, anesthesiologists, pharmacists, nutritionists, social workers, therapists and other professionals who are committed to your individual care and recovery.

Personal Attention to Get You Ready In advance of surgery, a Holy Cross Health nurse will call you at home to review any chronic health conditions and medications. We carefully explain what to expect the day of surgery, and begin creating a plan for recovery, including whether follow-up care may be required.

To further simplify the process, you — or a loved one — can even pre-register on the hospital’s website, HolyCrossHealth.org.

During Surgery: Care that Gives You Peace of Mind At Holy Cross Hospital and Holy Cross Germantown Hospital, our pre- and post-operative surgical areas were designed to cater to the needs of senior patients.

In the operating room, we often cushion fragile bones and sensitive skin with positioning devices for added protection. Minute-by-minute, our experts carefully monitor for sensitivity to anesthesia and medications, adjusting accordingly.

More Time to Recover Means a Lot Patients 65 and older tend to recover more slowly, so we give you more time to recover in a private, peaceful environment. Our post-operative spaces feature comfortable recliners and stretchers, warm colors and soft lighting that invite you to rest and recuperate more fully.

Nurses thoroughly explain discharge instructions and make sure patients have the resources they need to make a seamless transition to a home or care setting.

To find a surgeon, call 301-754-8800 or visit HolyCrossHealth.org.

Surgical Care


Holy Cross Hospital 1500 Forest Glen Road Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-754-7000 HolyCrossHealth.org/hch

One of the largest hospitals in Maryland, Holy Cross Hospital has a 55-plus-year history of being the community’s most trusted provider of health care services.

Senior Care Available at Two Hospitals

Holy Cross Germantown Hospital 19801 Observation Drive Germantown, MD 20876 301-557-6000 HolyCrossHealth.org/hcgh

Montgomery County’s newest hospital and conveniently located off I-270, Holy Cross Germantown Hospital offers upcounty residents the expertise and technology for which Holy Cross is known.

If you or a loved one require hospitalization, there is no safer place than Holy Cross Hospital or Holy Cross Germantown Hospital. Our care managers coordinate your care from admission to discharge, and we facilitate communication among physicians and our clinical staff to ensure our patients receive the best, most appropriate care. Because illness and injury affect the body, mind and spirit, we also offer support services for patients and their families.

Private Rooms Both Holy Cross Hospital and Holy Cross Germantown Hospital offer patients the comfort of a private room throughout your stay. Because patients benefit greatly from visitors, your designated support person is welcome to remain by your side and stay overnight on the sleeper sofa. Plus, room-service-style meal delivery to your room adds convenience.

Medication Safety Our pharmacy departments use evidence-based guidelines to ensure the correct administration of medications. Our automated adverse drug event alert system issues a warning when a potentially dangerous drug or combination of drugs has been ordered. You can avoid harmful interactions by telling your doctor about all the over-the-counter, prescription and herbal medications and supplements you use. A medication list, available at HolyCrossHealth.org, can help you remember and record all of your medications.

Spiritual Care Spiritual care is the support we offer to patients, families and staff in dealing with questions of meaning, suffering and death. Spiritual assistance is available to people of all faiths and beliefs. For more information, call 301-754-7390 at Holy Cross Hospital or 301-557-6390 at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital.

Skilled Nursing Care Some patients may need extra care after leaving the hospital and can benefit from a stay in a rehabilitation facility.

Holy Cross Health has partnerships with a number of skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities in Montgomery County that have committed to working with us on quality initiatives. For more information about Holy Cross Health's preferred providers, call 301-754-7470.

Special Services for Hospitalized Seniors

Holy Cross Health Senior Services4 •

Medical and Surgical Expertise

senior services


Holy Cross Health offers a full range of inpatient and outpatient primary and specialty health care services, available at one or more locations.

Cancer Services Comprehensive inpatient and outpatient diagnostic, treatment and support services.

Cardiac Services Diagnosis and treatment for patients with cardiac disease.

Intensive Care Intensive monitoring and advanced support for critically ill patients.

Dialysis Services Therapy for patients with acute renal failure or end-stage renal disease.

Diabetes Program Instruction in diabetes prevention and management.

Emergency Care Specialized and compassionate emergency care in a comforting environment.

Gynecologic Surgery A regional leader in women’s surgery using minimally invasive techniques.

Joint Services Nonsurgical and surgical treatment for joint pain, including joint replacement.

Medical Imaging Services Diagnostic radiology, CT, MRI, ultrasound, angiography, nuclear medicine studies and mammography services.

Neuroscience Screening, diagnosis and treatment of complex brain and spine disorders.

Pain Management Center Evaluation, education and treatment for all types of acute and chronic pain.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Dedicated to helping patients achieve their highest possible level of independence and quality of life.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Restoring and promoting health for those with chronic lung disease.

Spine Services Multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment for back pain.

Stroke Care Holy Cross Hospital and Holy Cross Germantown Hospital are designated as Primary Stroke Centers and are recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award, providing timely treatment to patients with stroke symptoms.

Surgical Services Expertise in a variety of surgical specialties, with a focus on minimally invasive techniques including the latest in robotic surgery.

To learn more about these programs or to find a physician, call 301-754-8800 or visit HolyCrossHealth.org.

Geriatric Primary Care Holy Cross Health Partners are primary care sites owned and operated by Holy Cross Health, with locations at Asbury Methodist Village and in Kensington. These practices include physicians with geriatric medicine training and expertise, and offer specialty consultation services including palliative care at both locations and cardiology at Asbury Methodist Village. For more information, visit HolyCrossHealth.org, or call 301-557-2110 for the Asbury Methodist Village location or 301-949-4242 for the Kensington location.

Fitness and Movement Classes Exercise can slow the aging process and help people become stronger and more resilient. Holy Cross Health offers a free, award-winning Senior Fit program at 24 accessible locations that is tailored to helping adults age 55 and older improve their strength, flexibility and endurance. Other fitness classes include Yoga, Ballroom/Latin/Swing dance, Pilates and Zumba.

Senior Source Holy Cross Senior Source, located in downtown Silver Spring, offers an array of health and wellness educational classes, health screenings and intellectually stimulating programs for active adults age 55 and older.

Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Usually you cannot make a chronic illness go away, but you can choose how you manage it. Self-management of chronic diseases and other long-term conditions can make you feel better, reduce your risk for hospitalization and emergency room visits, and lower your medical costs.

• Diabetes Prevention Program — Offers nutritional guidance, exercise sessions and support to help prevent or delay diabetes onset.

• Falls Prevention, Screening and Education — Learn why you are at risk for falling and how to prevent falls.

• Memory Academy — Learn strategies to improve memory.

• Better Bones — Maintain bone density while improving overall strength and flexibility through weight bearing exercise.

• Chronic Disease Self-Management Program — Develop strategies to improve overall health and quality of life while living with a long-term health condition.

• Diabetes Self-Management Program — Learn how to improve self-management of diabetes through a series of short lectures, discussion and action planning.

• Parkinson’s Exercise Class — Promote range of motion, balance, strength and endurance.

• Stay Active – Move! (SAM) — Improve range of motion and healthy joints.

Support Groups Support groups can provide patients and their families a place to share experiences and concerns with others. For a full listing, visit HolyCrossHealth.org or call 301-754-8800.

Prevention and Wellness Programs


Holy Cross Health offers prevention and wellness programs in locations throughout the community to keep you in good health, both physically and mentally, as you age. For information about these and other programs, screenings and special events, call 301-754-8800 or visit HolyCrossHealth.org.

When given the choice, most people prefer to stay at home, even when their health care needs are great. Our home-based care programs provide a wide range of support — from complex medical care to personal services — to patients who remain in their home during illness or recovery.

Home Care In partnership with you and your physician, Holy Cross Home Care and Hospice registered nurses and physical, occupational and speech language therapists will help you recover from illness or surgery in the comfort of your home. Our medical social workers provide medical, social and emotional support as needed. Our care model includes virtual care with around-the-clock, real-time monitoring and enables you to connect by phone or video with our registered nurses at any time of the day or night.

We are a comprehensive home care provider with specialty programs supporting heart disease, respiratory illness

such as COPD, orthopedic injuries and surgeries, wounds, IV and infusion needs, and fall prevention.

Holy Cross Home Care and Hospice, a member of Trinity Health At Home, is state-licensed, Medicare-certified and CHAP-accredited. We care for patients wherever they call home throughout Montgomery, Howard and Prince George’s counties.

For more information, call 301-557-HOME (4663) or visit HolyCrossHealth.org.

House Calls For many older adults, getting to and from medical appointments presents an ongoing challenge. Older patients who are unable to get to their physician’s office can receive primary medical care at home from a nurse practitioner through our house calls program. Nurse practitioners are specially trained and certified to provide comprehensive medical care, including examining and diagnosing patients and prescribing

medications. In addition, nurse practitioners can order and arrange for laboratory and other diagnostic services to be performed in the home.

For more information, call 301-754-7965 or 301-754-7849, or visit HolyCrossHealth.org.

Private Home Services Often patients who are recovering from major illnesses or surgery discover they cannot do everything for themselves. Private home service aides can assist with personal hygiene, bathing, dressing, changing bed linens, light housekeeping, laundry, running errands, grocery shopping, meal preparation, feeding, walking and companionship, as well as medication reminders. All of our aides are state-certified and supervised by a registered nurse. Holy Cross Private Home Services is a licensed, residential-services agency.

For more information, call 301-754-7780 or visit HolyCrossHealth.org.

Care Available in Your Home


senior services

The term “caregiver” describes anyone who is caring for a relative or friend who is ill or disabled. Some people unexpectedly find themselves in this unpredictable and emotionally challenging role when a parent or spouse is diagnosed with a medical condition. Others gradually assume this role over time as a family member ages. Holy Cross Health provides support to caregivers so that they can best provide this significant service to their loved ones.

Caregiver Resource Center The Holy Cross Caregiver Resource Center supports and educates family members, friends and professionals who are involved in the physical, emotional, spiritual and/or social care of someone who is medically challenged or facing lifestyle changes as a result of aging.

The center offers several support groups where spouses and adult children on the same caregiving journey can share sorrows and problems, joys and successes, resources and solutions. An on-site resource library offers books, DVDs, audiotapes and videotapes on caregiving issues and health-related topics. The center’s complimentary newsletter provides tips, resources, articles on caregiving, seminar and lecture listings and more. The telephone help line provides valuable resources and a listening ear for caregivers.


Medical Adult Day Center Sometimes seniors with debilitating health conditions or physical limitations can get lonely and long for an outlet for social interaction. The Holy Cross Medical Adult Day Center allows seniors to maintain the independence of living at home, yet enjoy structured, senior-focused activity that encourages growth and development. The center is a cost-effective alternative for caregivers to relocating seniors to residential care.

Seniors at any age are welcome to join the program. Our center frequently serves people recovering from or coping with conditions like stroke, depression, neurological disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer and diabetes. It is the first adult day center in Maryland to earn the status of an Alzheimer's Foundation of America Excellence in Care Dementia Program of Distinction. Staffed with professional, caring health professionals, the center’s dynamic program of stimulating and challenging activities includes group discussions, exercise, entertainment and organized games. A registered nurse, licensed social worker and specially trained activity professionals are on staff to provide care for the participants and respite for their caregivers.

For more information or to learn about a free two-day trial, call 301-754-7150 or visit HolyCrossHealth.org.

Support for Caregivers


The time at the end of life is different for each person. Each individual and his or her loved ones have unique needs for information and support. Our end-of-life program aims to help people who are dying have peace, comfort and dignity. We also offer bereavement programs to help people cope with the loss of a loved one.

Hospital-based Palliative Care Holy Cross Health offers multidisciplinary palliative care for patients with serious, life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, congestive heart failure, chronic lung disease, end-stage kidney disease and dementia. These services are available for patients at Holy Cross Hospital and Holy Cross Germantown Hospital.

Our palliative care team of professionals consists of medical doctors, hospice and palliative care certified nurses, spiritual care, pharmacology and administrative support services. We treat the whole person; meeting the patient’s medical, emotional, spiritual and social needs to provide comfort, dignity and the best possible quality of life. The palliative care team works closely with the attending physician and nursing staff to provide expert pain and symptom control, education, counseling, advocacy and coordination of services for patients and families facing end-of-life challenges and decisions.


Community-based Palliative Care and Hospice Holy Cross Home Care and Hospice provides around-the-clock support, comfort and compassionate care for patients with serious, possibly terminal illnesses.

Our palliative care program, led by board-certified physicians, provides pain management and comfort for patients while treatment is ongoing or not. Our hospice care program is focused on the respect, dignity and uniqueness of each individual. In collaboration with your physician, we provide pain management and symptom control.

Through both programs, we provide psychological, emotional, social and spiritual support for patients and their families. Our professionally-led healing bereavement services program helps family members and loved ones grieving the loss of a loved one.

For more information, call 301-557-HOME (4663) or visit HolyCrossHealth.org.

Bereavement Center The Holy Cross Bereavement Center is dedicated to supporting individuals who have experienced the recent death of a loved one. The center offers nine-week grief support groups as well as drop-in groups, with specialized groups for spousal/partner loss, child loss and Spanish language.


Care at the End of Life


Important Phone Numbers

19801 Observation Drive Germantown, MD 20876 301-557-6000

1500 Forest Glen Road Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-754-7000

Listing Holy Cross Hospital

Holy Cross Germantown Hospital

Holy Cross Health

Main Hospital Number/Patient Information 301-754-7000 301-557-6000

Bereavement 301-754-7742

Caregiver Resource Center 301-754-7152

Find a Physician 301-754-8800

Foundation Grateful Patient Program 301-557-GIVE (4483)

Health and Wellness Classes, Programs, Events and Support Groups

301-754-8800

Home Care and Hospice 301-557-HOME (4663)

Medical Adult Day Center 301-754-7150

Palliative Care 301-754-7253

Pre-registration for Surgery 301-754-8300

Private Home Services 301-754-7780

Senior Source Programs 301-754-8800

TTY 301-754-7406 301-557-7406

Holy Cross Health Locations in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties

Holy Cross Health is a Catholic not-for-profit health

system that serves patients through two hospitals,

10 primary and specialized care centers, and a wide

range of community health programs, with the

commitment to be the most trusted health care

provider in the area.

For information on all of Holy Cross Health’s locations,

please visit HolyCrossHealth.org.

HolyCrossHealth.org

HOLY CROSSGERMANTOWN

HOSPITAL

HOLY CROSSHOSPITAL

MontgomeryCounty

Prince George’sCounty

Districtof Columbia

Printed in August 2018. The information within is subject to change at any time. Please refer to HolyCrossHealth.org for the most up-to-date information.

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